England’s Lionesses received a rapturous homecoming on Monday, less than a day after clinching back-to-back European Championship titles with a dramatic penalty shootout win over reigning world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final.
Chloe Kelly once again proved the hero, converting the decisive penalty in Basel, Switzerland, to secure England’s second consecutive Euro title under manager Sarina Wiegman. The victory marked a sweet moment of redemption after Spain had denied them World Cup glory in 2023.
Fans, many dressed in England shirts and waving St George’s flags, gathered at Southend Airport—just east of London—to welcome their champions. The returning squad shared a celebratory photo on social media platform X, showing the trophy draped in the national flag on board a plane emblazoned with the word “Home” in bold red letters.
The aircraft was greeted with a ceremonial water salute from two fire engines upon landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were first off the plane, with Williamson proudly holding the trophy aloft.
Among the waiting supporters were 11-year-old twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, who held a sign requesting a photo with striker Alessia Russo. “We’re so proud,” said Poppy. “They’ve won it two years in a row and worked so hard, even with all the injuries and setbacks.”
From the airport, the team was scheduled to travel directly to 10 Downing Street for a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock. The celebration will continue Tuesday with an open-top bus parade ending outside Buckingham Palace.
King Charles III led the national tributes, offering the royal family’s “warmest appreciation and admiration,” and encouraging the team to “bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the Lionesses for capturing “the hearts of the nation” once again.
Late-Game Specialists
England’s path to the title was anything but straightforward, with Wiegman describing the tournament as “the most chaotic and ridiculous” her team had experienced.
After a sluggish start that saw them lose their opener to France, the Lionesses bounced back with commanding wins over the Netherlands and Wales in the group stage.
They dramatically overturned a 2-0 deficit against Sweden in the quarterfinals before winning on penalties, then edged past Italy with an extra-time goal in the semifinals.
In Sunday’s final, Spain struck first through Mariona Caldentey, but Alessia Russo equalised before the match went to extra time and ultimately penalties. Hannah Hampton, later named Player of the Match, made two crucial saves in the shootout, and a miss from Spain’s Salma Paralluelo paved the way for Kelly’s winning strike—echoing her heroics in the 2022 final against Germany.
Remarkably, England led for fewer than five minutes during the entire knockout stage of the tournament.
“Our players believe we can win by any means—we just never, ever give up,” said Wiegman. The Dutch manager now boasts three consecutive European titles, having previously led the Netherlands to victory in 2017.
She also expressed hope that the tournament’s unprecedented intensity and record-breaking impact would elevate women’s football globally.
“The level of play went up again, the intensity was off the charts,” she said. “We’ve seen that on the pitch and in the data. I believe this tournament broke every record—and I hope it boosts the women’s game everywhere.”
