Euro 2025: Bonmatí says Spain being 'the best team of the tournament' wasn't enough to win trophy

The final whistle at Euro 2025 brought a stunning, deflating reality for Spain, as the reigning world champions found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline, failing to add the European crown to their burgeoning trophy cabinet. Despite a tournament campaign widely lauded for its technical brilliance and tactical sophistication, the ultimate prize eluded them. Midfield maestro Aitana Bonmatí, often the orchestrator of their sublime play, articulated the bitter disappointment that permeated the Spanish camp, observing that simply being the most skilled and technically superior side was insufficient to secure victory on the grandest stage. Her words encapsulate the cruel paradox of football: dominance does not always guarantee triumph.

Throughout the Euro 2025 competition, Spain had consistently showcased why they are considered the benchmark for modern women's football. Their intricate passing triangles, relentless ball retention, and individual genius from players like Bonmatí, Salma Paralluelo, and Mariona Caldentey carved open defences with a surgical precision rarely seen. They navigated the group stages with a swagger, demonstrating a seamless blend of artistry and efficiency. Opponents often found themselves chasing shadows, overwhelmed by Spain's relentless possession and fluid movement. This consistent display of high-level football led many pundits and fans alike to anoint them as the undisputed favourites, seemingly destined to complete a historic double of World Cup and European titles.

Yet, Sunday's final served as a stark reminder that football, especially at the elite level, is a game of fine margins and decisive moments. While Spain controlled possession and dictated the tempo for large swathes of the match, their clinical edge in front of goal seemed to desert them when it mattered most. Conversely, their opponents, perhaps less aesthetically pleasing, capitalised ruthlessly on the few clear-cut opportunities that fell their way. It was a testament to defensive resilience and opportunistic finishing, rather than sustained technical superiority, that ultimately decided the contest. Bonmatí's reflection hints at a deeper introspection – was it a lack of ruthlessness, a momentary lapse in concentration, or perhaps a psychological burden that weighed heavier in the final than in previous rounds?

The defeat, while painful, offers a crucial lesson for a Spanish side that has otherwise enjoyed an unprecedented period of success. Bonmatí's frank assessment underscores the notion that talent and tactical mastery, while foundational, must be coupled with an unwavering mental fortitude and a killer instinct in the decisive moments of a final. For a team that prides itself on its footballing purity, this loss may force a nuanced re-evaluation of what truly constitutes a championship-winning outfit. As they look ahead to defending their World Cup title and preparing for future tournaments, Spain will undoubtedly dissect this defeat, aiming to transform the sting of being "the best team" that didn't win into the catalyst for an even more formidable future.