Glory for England as Lionesses defend European title

5
Skip to next photo
1/1
Show caption
1/1
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Ecstatic England fans celebrated across the country as the Lionesses with their three former Rovers stars, retained their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain.

Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick on Sunday following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton – sending supporters in fan zones into raptures.

Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel, Switzerland.

Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute.

Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, and Ella Toone were all once on the books of Blackburn Rovers, and all three started the match.

Walsh also attended Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School in Rossendale

Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win – posting on X: “Champions! Congratulations Lionesses – what a team. What a game. What drama.

“You dug deep when it mattered most and you’ve made the nation proud. History makers.”

In a post on social media, the King said: “This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025.

“For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant ‘football’s coming home’.

“As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. For this, you have my whole family’s warmest appreciation and admiration.

“More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms.

“Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!

“Charles R”

 

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos