Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

We talk about women’s sport all the time and this is an element where we have seen women’s golf deliver time and time again in this Solheim Cup format, and this was as good a match as you are going to see.

If the Ryder Cup comes anywhere close to living up to this then we’re in for a real treat in Italy next week. It has got a lot to live up to.

Let's hear from Suzann Pettersen after Europe retained the Solheim Cup, talking to Sky Sports:

"I think it was meant to be. It came down to Carlota in Spain in her own hands. Walking down with her in 16 I said ‘is this how you wanted it? Because it's all in your hands now’ and she was like 'I'm up for it."

"At one point 30 minutes ago we had no clue where it was going, It was coming down to the wire and we knew it.

"We have the best team. I’m so proud of them. They played with their heart. We got off to a rough start, but we don’t look back . The sky is the limit.

And on how they'll celebrate: “It’s going to be one pretty big party tonight.”

This will be the first time Europe have lifted the Solheim Cup three times in a row.

And this incredible player has been key to two of them.

Leona Maguire was imperious on debut two years ago and, after a disappointing first morning, the Irish player has been every bit as good in Spain.

She dug so deep in the Friday fourballs to earn a point against the powerhouse duo of Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu then blended beautifully with Charley Hull for a 4&3 victory in Saturday's afternoon session against Nelly Korda and Ally Ewing.

Up against 20-year-old sensation Rose Zhang today, she was utterly brilliant - the American will be shaking her heard for years at how Maguire kept slamming the door shut whenever there was a glimmer of hope.

And if there is a better fairway wood player in the world, I'll be surprised.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

No doubt who was the big star of the week for Europe, as an inspired Carlota Ciganda won all four matches she played in against the USA.

You could have forgiven her for feeling the pressure of representing Spain in front of her home crowd, but didn't she deliver!

Watch the moment Spain's Carlota Ciganda sinks the putt to ensure Europe retain the Solheim Cup as the match ends 14-14 at Finca Cortesin.

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

A breathtaking three days of international golf and it ends honours even, but that is enough for Europe and it means they get to keep the trophy.

I was thinking earlier on that with only a year between the Solheim Cups, it feels like a two-legged affair. It will be the same captains Lewis, and Pettersen, and this feels like part one.

Although this is the third part of an extraordinary trilogy for European golf at the same time.

All the smiles are European right now but the Americans have a lot to be proud of this year.

Hats off to Caroline Hedwall, who turned her match against Ally Ewing to provide a really unlikely victory and then Maja Stark and Carlota Ciganda coming down the stretch to ensure the trophy in European hands after that wobble from Georgia Hall and Gemma Dryburgh.

Lexi Thompson delivered what Stacy Lewis asked of her in the final match.

What a contest. It’s been brilliant.

Carlota Ciganda will get the headlines and rightly so, because she was magnificent and she is a Spaniard retaining the cup for Europe in her home country.

But Caroline Hedwall was the player who turned that round for Europe.

She looked down and out but her fightback against Ally Ewing was the pivotal match.

That was a full point swing. And by a player who was left out all day Friday.

Image source, Getty Images

Lexi Thompson holes her putt to half the hole and win her match 2&1.

The overall score ends 14-14.

But to repeat, Europe retain the Solheim Cup.

Superb effort by Emily Pedersen, but it burns the left edge.

Three for her.

Lexi Thompson splashes out. Probably 12ft left for her par, and most likely win her match...

...unless Emily Pedersen can hole this putt for a two.

Image source, BBC Sport

What a last 20-30 minutes! What a day!

Lexi Thompson will not want to let this slip. She was four up remember.

And she has had a mixed Solheim Cup personally.

Plus, 14-14 is better than losing 14.5-13.5.

What a match that was between Carlota Ciganda and Nelly Korda - the Spaniard looked to have it sewn up when three ahead but that lead kept on slipping away.

She certainly looked down and out after a double bogey on 15, but somehow, some way, despite all the pressure she managed to conjure up a couple of sparkling iron shots that Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia would've been proud of.

What is it about Spanish golfers and these big team events?

After waiting on the tee for a few minutes, Emily Pedersen hits a fine shot into 17.

Uphill putt, about 12ft, for a two.

Familiar Lexi lean and she hits it into the left greenside bunker.

Emily Pedersen is still two down to Lexi Thompson after the 16th.

She needs to win the last two holes to half.

Once they clear the green. Which I repeat, is not ideal.

Huge celebrations on the 17th green.

Not sure they are really ideal to be honest, because Emily Pedersen and Lexi Thompson are still out there .

What happens in this match will determine whether it is merely a retention by Europe or an outright victory by them.

Carlota Ciganda wins her match with Nelly Korda to take Europe to 14 points, which means they'll retain the Solheim Cup!

Of all people it's the popular Spaniard, in front of her home fans.

Shut the front door! Carlota Ciganda with 145 yards of pure class as she fires another dart right at the flag on 17 - she's not a million miles away from holing the thing.

You can feel the pressure on Nelly Korda from here, and she just tugs her effort long and left just off the green - she might have to hole that to stay alive.

And with Europe on 13 points, if Ciganda wins this hole Europe will retain the Solheim Cup, in front of her home fans. Couldn't write it could you!

I'll admit it, I thought Carlota Ciganda's head had gone after chucking away her lead over this back nine, but that iron shot was pure class, and Nelly Korda obviously felt the pressure as she missed her birdie effort from five feet.

Ciganda taps in and literally bounces off the green after going back in front. Vamos!