England fans across the country have heaped praise on the team after winning Euro 2025, with a bus parade celebration set for Tuesday.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses took home their second Euros trophy in consecutive tournaments after beating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final.
Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, after Alessia Russo scored an equaliser to send the game to a shootout.
As it happened: England beat Spain on penalties to retain title
After England win, it was announced that an open-top bus parade will be held in London on Tuesday along The Mall, which will start at 12.10pm.
The celebrations will culminate in a stage ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace at approximately 12.30pm
Fans can attend for free, and Sky News will broadcast it live.
‘You’ve made the nation proud’ – Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among the millions congratulating the Lionesses, posting on social media to praise the champions
“What a team. What a game. What drama,” he said.
“You dug deep when it mattered most and you’ve made the nation proud. History makers.”
The roof almost came off the Manchester clubhouse where Ella Toone started her journey
Nowhere was the roar for the Lionesses louder than in the Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare club on the outskirts of Manchester.
The club where a five-year-old Ella Toone started her journey to England stardom, like so many places across the country, hosted nail-biting, table-thumping and, ultimately, deafening watch parties.
The roof almost came off the clubhouse when Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty went in.
Red bucket hats emblazoned with Toone’s now-famous ‘Buzzing My Head Off’ catchphrase were thrown in the air.
“Absolutely ecstatic,” said Lorraine Warwick-Ellis, who runs the pathway development for women and girls at the club.
“I was very nervous, very worried about penalties but we did it in the end.”
The success of the Lionesses has driven a huge boom in the popularity of women’s and girls football in recent years. She hopes this win will have a similar effect.
“I hope it cements the girls who are already here, keeps them engaged, and I hope it brings more girls down who want to be footballers and see that it’s open for everybody.”
It had been a pretty sombre watch for much of the game after Spain took the lead – but it erupted into life after Alessia Russo’s equaliser.
The shootout was the usual emotional rollercoaster but young fans seem to have greater faith in the Lionesses.
Among the jubilant teenagers celebrating in the clubhouse were two who have followed Toone’s path to academies at professional clubs.
“It’s unbelievable, they’re amazing, Chloe Kelly, I just don’t know what to say about her,” said Natasha Greenhouse. “We knew if it went to penalties that they’d do it.”
Tamsin Gallagher said: “They’ve done it the hard way all the way through the Euros but we all believed in them. Come on England.”
The party in Manchester and around the country and only just begun.
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‘I am so incredibly proud’
Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who were in attendance at St Jakob-Park in Basel, added on social media: “What a game!
“Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn’t be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.”
King hails Lionesses… and calls for World Cup
In a post on the official Royal Family account on X, King Charles also sent his “most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025” to the Lionesses.
“For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant ‘football’s coming home’,” he said.
“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.”
The monarch ended his statement by saying “the next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!”
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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added: “What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.”
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said “well done” to the team and “what an absolutely fantastic watch,” while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “What an achievement. What a team!”
