The Spanish team had 24 attempts on goal, yet England's tenacity and resolve led them to a shootout where they faltered, missing three of their four penalty kicks as Chloe Kelly secured victory for England.
"I believe this team deserved more. We have worked hard for a long time to reach this moment, to reach this final against a high-caliber national team, and what we witnessed in the game leads me to think that the team earned it," Tome stated at a press conference.
"This is a sport; you have to learn how to lose, and today we failed to convert our penalties."
Spain took an early lead, but England equalized through Alessia Russo and fought valiantly to bring the game to a 1-1 draw and a shootout.
"I believe we performed better, but football is a sport where the superior team doesn't always prevail. England is a fantastic national team; they demonstrated their quality throughout the tournament. They equalize, and then they defend well to reach penalties," Tome remarked.
The 42-year-old coach couldn't conceal her disappointment that her team fell short of securing another major title.
"This is our profession. What we worked for, what they worked for, deserved a different outcome," she commented.
"That’s why today I feel like we almost achieved it, but it slipped away. I truly appreciate all the effort put in—we made history throughout the tournament, and the team performed well," Tome added.
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