England’s Lionesses returned to a heroes’ welcome on Monday, lower than 24 hours after their dramatic penalty-shootout victory towards world champions Spain within the Euro 2025 ultimate.
Chloe Kelly transformed the decisive spot-kick within the Swiss metropolis of Basel as Sarina Wiegman’s crew efficiently defended the European ladies’s crown they received at Wembley in 2022.
Supporters, lots of whom had been wearing England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited exterior Southend airport, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London.
In a publish on X, the crew shared a photograph of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the airplane, which had “Residence” painted in pink letters on its facet.
The plane was welcomed with a water salute from two hearth engines after touchdown. Captain Leah Williamson and supervisor Wiegman had been the primary off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy.
Among the many ready supporters had been twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who had been holding an indication asking for a photograph with star striker Alessia Russo.
“We’re so proud. They’ve received it two occasions in a row and so they’ve labored so laborious for it,” stated Poppy. “They’ve had plenty of accidents and setbacks however they’ve carried out rather well.”
The Lionesses will subsequent be whisked straight to 10 Downing Avenue, the working dwelling of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
An open-top bus parade will comply with on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in entrance of Buckingham Palace.
Victory in Switzerland was candy revenge for Wiegman’s defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat towards the identical opponents within the World Cup ultimate two years in the past.
King Charles III stated the crew had the royal household’s “warmest appreciation and admiration” following their victory, including: “The following job is to convey dwelling the World Cup in 2027 should you probably can.”
Starmer additionally hailed the triumph, saying: “The Lionesses have as soon as once more captured the hearts of the nation.”
The Downing Avenue reception will hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports activities minister Stephanie Peacock.
Pink-and-white St George’s flags had been hanging across the well-known black door forward of the crew’s arrival afterward Monday from a wet Zurich.
Late drama
Victory in Switzerland on Sunday capped a exceptional event full of late drama for England.
Wiegman’s crew had been gradual out of the blocks, dropping their first match towards France, earlier than comfy wins over the Netherlands and Wales within the group part.
They got here again from 2-0 down towards Sweden within the quarter-finals earlier than profitable on penalties, and sealed their spot in Sunday’s ultimate with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy.
The defending champions once more fell behind towards Spain on Sunday however Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey’s first-half opener and neither facet might discover a winner by the tip of additional time.
Two penalty saves by player-of-the-match Hannah Hampton and Salma Paralluelo’s miss set the stage for Kelly, who additionally scored the winner towards Germany within the 2022 ultimate.
In complete, the Lionesses led for fewer than 5 minutes throughout your complete Euros knockout stage.
“I have to admit that that is probably the most chaotic and ridiculous event we have now performed,” stated Wiegman.
“The gamers say we are able to win by any means, and we simply by no means, ever hand over.”
The Dutch coach, who has now received three European Championship crowns in a row, having led the Netherlands to victory in 2017, stated she hoped England’s win would enhance ladies’s soccer throughout the globe.
“How I’ve skilled this event is that the extent went up once more, the depth of the video games went via the roof,” she stated. “That is what we have seen.
“We have seen it within the video games, but additionally within the knowledge we have now. I feel this event broke each file once more and that is nice, and I hope that that can enhance the ladies’s recreation in every single place.”
