Moment Alessia Russo playfully tries to put off Ella Toone during Lioness photo as the childhood best friends get red carpet treatment at Downing Street

Daily Mail​

8 hours ago

Alessia Russo and Ella Toone were seen messing around as they stood for a photograph outside Downing Street yesterday, as the Lionesses returned to England victorious.
The team was honoured with a special reception at No 10 Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
While stood outside Number 10, Alessia Russo was caught trying to put Ella Toone off by playfully sticking her finger in her teammate's ear.
The pair are childhood friends despite growing up in different ends of the country - Toone in Greater Manchester and Russo in Kent - the attacking duo are great friends off the field and have been mates since the age of 12.
Toone, 25, and Russo, 26, both appear on their own podcast together, where they tell all to presenter Vick Hope.
Despite a whirlwind schedule and barely a moment's rest, the duo alongside their England teammates are set to continue their victory lap today – with a blockbuster open-top bus parade through The Mall set to kick off at 12.10pm today.
That will end in a glitzy ceremony outside Buckingham Palace hosted by former England star Alex Scott.
Thousands of fans are expected to gather on the Mall to welcome and congratulate the team on their historic achievement.
The England squad wearing their winners' medals at Downing Street for a reception at No 10
The European champions pictured outside Number 10 which was adorned with England flags
Lucy Bronze and Chloe Kelly also shared a moment of fun outside Downing Street
Some of the team also took part in a surprise video call from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was unable to attend in person due to talks with US President Donald Trump in Scotland.
He said: 'Fantastic to see you all and welcome to Downing Street. I just wanted to say a huge huge congratulations to you and to the whole team.
'It was an absolutely amazing victory and you must've felt the eyes and ears of the whole country on you last night.'
He added: 'You made history so many times over last night.'
Wiegman thanked him for calling and for supporting the team throughout the tournament.
Today's celebrations are expected to echo the scenes of Trafalgar Square three years ago, though this year's road to glory has been widely hailed as even more nail-biting and unforgettable.
England managed to become European Championship winners again after a penalty shootout win against rivals Spain on Sunday night.
The game was 1-1 after 90 minutes and remained tied through 30 minutes of extra time.
The Lionesses have touched down in England less than 24 hours after their Euro 2025 triumph
Fans with home-made signs wait for the team to arrive back in the UK
Drinks were flowing as friends and family joined the England players in celebration
Another nerve-shredding penalty shootout followed with Chloe Kelly yet again scoring the winning penalty sparking jubilant scene in the stadium in Basel and in millions of homes back in the UK.
Yesterday, the squad landed at Southend Airport to a rapturous welcome from adoring fans – greeted with chants of 'It's coming home' and flags waving as they descended from their private jet.
Leading the way, Williamson beamed as she held the gleaming Euros trophy aloft, the team receiving a dramatic water cannon salute on the tarmac – a royal welcome for the queens of European football.
It's been a non-stop celebration since the final whistle blew on their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain.
Toone sang karaoke as England manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson cut a celebratory cake together on Sunday night.
With players still partying into the early hours of the morning, after Toone's partner Joe Bunney posted a picture at 4.10am.
Celebrations began in earnest swiftly after their title defence was assured, with the Lionesses performing a musical number as they left the field.
Led by captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, England's players belted out 2010 hit Dancing On My Own by Robyn as they exited down the tunnel.
The team would later return to the field armed with several boxes of pizza and cans of beer.
Ella Toone was belting out hits on the karaoke machine
Ella Toone was on someone's shoulders as she danced with Georgia Stanway
The Lionesses have roared to victory in a nailbiting penalty shootout that saw them triumph over Spain
Penalty hero Chloe Kelly and Lucy Bronze, who played the final with a broken leg, head into the team hotel after winning the Euros and the party began
Last night the team were seen continuing celebrations into a second night as they descended on Soho for another night out.
After a whirlwind 48 hours, the squad poured out of their taxis and straight into Little Italy in central London.
All of the squad seemed to be in high spirits, laughing and linking arms as they made their way into the lively late-night spot, sporting their third outfit change of the day.
Fans can attend the victory parade today for free and it will also be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky.
Outside of football, Toone has set up her own brand, ET7, which includes a football academy for young girls, and she has set up a creative agency to help female athletes maximise commercial opportunities.
Her sponsors include make-up brand Charlotte Tilbury, orthodontic firm Invisalign and McDonald's.
Russo is now on £500,000 a year just for playing football – but off-the-field deals are understood to bring in much more.