England women’s Euro 2025 penalty hero Hannah Hampton defies eye condition with study and strategy

Diagnosed with impaired depth perception as a child, Hampton has learned to read subtle cues from penalty takers and embrace goalie tactics

Hannah Hampton had already saved one penalty in the shootout against Spain at Euro 2025 when Aitana Bonmati, the back-to-back winner of the women's Ballon d'Or, placed the ball on the spot and stepped back, taking a moment before the strike. Bonmati thumped the ball hard and left, but Hampton was there, arms outstretched, to block the shot with both hands.

Better pens than the last time, let's be honest!" Hampton said after the match, a reference to the more painful shootout against Sweden in the quarter-final that went to sudden death before England prevailed. Hampton saved two penalties that time, too.