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Lauren James was forced off late in the first half of the Euro 2025 final, the England star withdrawn after Mariona Caldentey had given world champions Spain a 1-0 lead in Basel.
Caldentey headed Spain into the lead in the 25th minute, with reigning European champions England punished for failing to take some gilt-edged chances in the early stages.
And things got worse for the Lionesses 15 minutes later as Chelsea forward James limped off.
James had been a doubt for the final because of an ankle injury, and her game came to a premature end after she went to ground in discomfort inside the England penalty area.
Chloe Kelly came on to replace James, hoping to have the same impact as she did in the Euro 2022 final, when she scored the extra-time winner against Germany.
Kelly, who alongside teenager Michelle Agyemang has been instrumental off the bench for England in this tournament, quickly provided energy from the left flank, dragging an effort wide shortly before half-time as the Lionesses sought to produce another fightback after coming from behind to knock out both Sweden and Italy en route to the final.
