Spain’s Coll denies Hampton’s claim about throwing away shootout notes

 

England’s Hannah Hampton has shared a cheeky story about the Women’s Euros final penalty shootout against Spain  but her Spanish counterpart Cata Coll isn’t buying it. In an interview on British radio station talkSPORT, Hampton said she threw away Coll’s bottle, which she claimed had notes on where England players would aim their penalties. According to Hampton, she tossed the bottle into the crowd to confuse Coll, joking that she was trying not to laugh as the Barcelona goalkeeper looked puzzled.

The match itself had been tense. Spain’s Mariona Caldentey scored first before Alessia Russo equalised for England in the second half with an assist from Chloe Kelly. With the game tied, it went to penalties, putting both goalkeepers in the spotlight. Despite Coll making two excellent saves, England ultimately won the shootout thanks to key stops from Hampton.

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Hampton’s anecdote quickly went viral online, sparking debate among fans. The idea of bottle notes being stolen in such a high-pressure match caught people’s attention, adding a touch of controversy to England’s victory. The story painted the win as not only a triumph of skill but also of quick thinking and gamesmanship  at least from Hampton’s perspective.

Cata Coll responded to the claims with humour and denial. Posting on social media with two laughing emojis, the Spain goalkeeper told fans to “calm down” and hinted the story was untrue. “At least if it were true…” she wrote, leaving room for speculation but firmly dismissing Hampton’s version. Coll’s reaction suggested she wasn’t taking the matter seriously and preferred to focus on the football rather than off-pitch banter.

Regardless of whether the bottle incident happened, both goalkeepers delivered standout performances in the final. Coll’s two saves kept Spain’s hopes alive, while Hampton’s own heroics between the posts helped seal England’s win. The shootout showcased both their reflexes and composure under pressure, providing a dramatic end to a closely fought contest.

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The exchange between the two keepers has since become a light-hearted subplot to the tournament’s finale. Fans have been divided  some see Hampton’s claim as harmless fun, while others believe it’s a bit of playful mind games exaggerated for the media. Either way, the Euros final added another chapter to the England-Spain rivalry in women’s football, with the penalty drama and post-match back-and-forth ensuring it will be remembered for more than just the scoreline.