Spanish media outlets have launched a scathing attack on Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly following her match-winning penalty in Sunday night's Women's European Championship final.
The criticism centres on Kelly's conduct immediately after converting the decisive spot-kick that sealed England's 3-2 shootout triumph over Spain.
Spanish publications have taken particular exception to what they perceive as provocative behaviour by the 27-year-old winger.
The controversy stems from Kelly's celebration after beating goalkeeper Cata Coll from the penalty spot, with multiple Spanish news outlets condemning her actions as inappropriate and disrespectful.
Chloe Kelly was criticised by Spanish media after appearing to gesture at Cata Coll after her winning penalty
|Reuters
The backlash represents a bitter response from Spanish media to their national team's defeat in the tournament's climactic match.
Spanish newspaper Diario AS led the criticism, publishing footage of Kelly's celebration with pointed commentary.
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"This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly's cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty," the outlet wrote.
The publication accused Kelly of intentionally altering her celebration route to pass the beaten goalkeeper.
"The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten," Diario AS stated.
The Spanish outlet characterised Kelly's decision to maintain eye contact with Coll whilst running towards the corner flag as both "cocky" and uncalled-for. The gesture has been widely interpreted by Spanish media as a deliberate taunt.
Kelly's penalty marked the culmination of England's successful title defence, following their 2022 triumph on home soil.
The Arsenal player had earlier provided the assist for Alessia Russo's equaliser in the 57th minute, cancelling out Mariona Caldentey's first-half strike for Spain.
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England beat Spain on penalties to win Euro 2025 with Chloe Kelly netting the winning spot-kick | GETTYThe shootout victory represented a remarkable personal achievement for Kelly, who had contemplated abandoning football earlier this year.
Following a difficult period at Manchester City, she secured a January loan move to Arsenal before making the transfer permanent in July.
Kelly expressed confidence about her penalty, stating: "I was adamant I wasn't missing two on the bounce. I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net."
Spanish publications expressed profound disappointment at their team's defeat, with Diario AS describing the outcome as particularly harsh.
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The outlet lamented the manner of defeat, stating: "They couldn't have been crueler in the penalty shootout, tossing a few dice in the air."
Fellow Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo echoed these sentiments, describing it as "a cruel ending for a Spain that dominated but is saying goodbye to its European dream."
The defeat prevented Spain from completing what Diario AS called "the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney," referencing their 2023 World Cup victory over England.