The Lionesses were greeted by jubilant crowds at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon after defending their Euro 2025 title with a penalty shootout victory over Spain in Basel. Fans, many dressed in England kits and waving flags, erupted as the plane landed and again as the team emerged along a red carpet.
Captain Leah Williamson led the squad out carrying the trophy, and the players later attended a celebratory reception at Downing Street hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock. Downing Street was decorated with St George’s flags and bunting for the occasion.
Rayner called it a “historic day for English football, for women’s sport – and for the country”, adding: “The Lionesses have brought it home again. With grit, determination and skill, you roared. You’ve made us all so proud.” She said the win would “inspire thousands of girls to dream big”.
Among the fans at the airport were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who held a sign asking for a photo with Alessia Russo. Poppy said: “We’re so proud. They’ve won it two times in a row and they’ve worked so hard.” Daisy admitted she could not watch the penalty shootout.
Despite calls for a bank holiday, a Downing Street spokesperson ruled it out, saying: “If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win, we would never go to work.” Labour later announced plans to more than double grassroots playing slots for women and girls over the next five years.
