Lionesses land after Euro 2025 win ahead of London victory parade

Times

4 days ago

With pizza, beer, a mascot dog, gleaming gold medals and their second Euros trophy in their arms, the victorious Lionesses partied through the night. Their medals hanging from their necks, the team left the field singing along to Dancing on My Own by Robyn, before returning with boxes full of pizza and cans of beer.
The England squad touched down at Southend airport on Monday afternoon and headed straight to London for a reception at No 10.
The victorious squad arrive in Southend
RICHARD PELHAM/THE FA/GETTY IMAGES
Sir Keir Starmer said the team had 'once again captured the hearts of the nation ', adding: 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.'
The FA advised fans not to travel to the airport to meet the team but to wait for their homecoming parade through London on Tuesday. The team will celebrate with fans on an open-top bus along the Mall, culminating in a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
There were joyful scenes from Basel and in fan zones and pubs across the country on Sunday night as the Lionesses became the first England football team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick after two huge saves from the goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, in the final against Spain. Videos from the Lionesses' accounts show the jubilant team running across the pitch and cheering as they roll around in gold and silver streamers and confetti.
PHILIPP KRESNIK/SHEKICKS/SPP/ALAMY
Ella Toone and Beth Mead shared an emotional moment as they paid tribute to their parents. Toone's father Nick was diagnosed with prostate cancer the day after the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022, and in September, making this the first international tournament she has contested without her father watching her.
Ella Toone
MOLLY DARLINGTON/UEFA/GETTY IMAGES
Mead's mother died in 2023 after a long battle with ovarian cancer, and Toone has previously said how grateful she was to have a teammate who understood what she was going through.
'We did it for our angels in the sky,' she wrote. 'Forever with us and forever proud.' She added a photo of an empty seat in the stadium next to her mother, writing: 'If that's not a sign I don't know what is. I know you were there, Dad.'
The shock revelation of the night came from Lucy Bronze, who admitted she had played the entire tournament on a fractured tibia. 'That's why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I've been in a lot of pain,' she said. 'If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do.'
Asked at a press conference about their planned celebrations, Sarina Wiegman, the England head coach, replied: 'I'll do some more dancing. I'll have a drink but I don't think I'll drink as much as the players will do.'
Lucy Bronze, centre, with her leg heavily bandaged
EDDIE KEOGH/GETTY IMAGES
Sure enough, the team's celebrations went on into the small hours. At 4.10am, they were still singing along to Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.
In a video on social media, the team could be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, a cavapoo who belongs to Cheals on Wheels, a barista company that travelled with the team to the tournament.
Lucy Bronze and Esme Morgan filmed themselves in a skit for Instagram, in which Bronze joked they had lost their first game 'so everyone underestimated us'. Morgan added: 'All part of the plan to bring it home again.'
RICHARD PELHAM/THE FA/GETTY IMAGES
Leah Williamson, the captain, shared a welcome postcard sent to her and the team by Lia Wälti, captain of the Swiss national team, on their arrival at the tournament.