Penalty shootout joy for England fans as Lionesses retain Euros title
Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel, Switzerland.
Congratulations to our valiant @Lionesses! 🦁🦁🦁
A message from The King following the team's victory at the Women's Euros 2025.#WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/mRBAdeGSOf
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 27, 2025
Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute.
The King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' following their win, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.'
In a statement posted on X, Charles said: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025.
'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'.
'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.'
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/Ras4LENOGG
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 27, 2025
The King added: '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.
'Well done, Lionesses.'
A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X following the presentation of the trophy to the Lionesses, with the caption 'champions of Europe'.
The pair congratulated the team in a short statement, saying: 'What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.'
The statement was the first message Charlotte has personally signed on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account.
Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win – posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses – what a team. What a game. What drama.
Champions!
Congratulations @Lionesses — what a team. What a game. What drama.
You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud.
History makers.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 27, 2025
'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.'
William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including his daughter Princess Charlotte.
As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament.
William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'.
Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks.
History, written again by the #Lionesses. 🏴🏆 pic.twitter.com/lYIoVX1SG4
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025
There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award.
Supporters at her old club Brandon Groves AFC danced a conga line to the sounds of Vindaloo after England's victory.
The National Autistic Society congratulated their ambassador Lucy Bronze on the Lionesses victory, adding: 'We hope she has inspired the next generation of autistic girls to follow their dreams.'
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also gave her reaction to the win, saying: 'What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.'
England's path to the final was marked by late drama.
They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time.
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The Guardian
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- The Guardian
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BBC News
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Women's Rugby World Cup fixtures and BBC coverage
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Pool A: England, Australia, United States, SamoaPool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, FijiPool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, SpainPool D: France, Italy, South Africa, BrazilThe top two teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stage. Going on seedings that would mean England (1), Canada (2), New Zealand (3), France (4), Australia (5), Ireland (6), Scotland (7) and Italy (8) would all advance to the last quarter-finals are on 13 and 14 SeptemberThe semi-finals are on 19 and 20 September The third-place play-off and the World Cup final take place on 27 September Where are the matches being played? Matches take place at eight venues:Twickenham Stadium in London (third-place play-off and the final)Ashton Gate in Bristol (two quarter-finals and both semi-finals)Sandy Park in Exeter (pool games and two quarter-finals)Stadium of Light in Sunderland (hosts England v USA in the tournament's opening game)Brighton and Hove Albion StadiumSalford Community StadiumFranklin's Gardens in NorthamptonYork Community Stadium Previous World Cup finals There have been nine Women's World Cups but only three nations have won Zealand have won the tournament a record six times and have beaten England in five of the past six have lifted the trophy twice - in 1994 and most recently in United States won the inaugural tournament in Cardiff.2021: New Zealand 34-31 England, Eden Park, Auckland**competition postponed to 2022 because of Covid pandemic2017: New Zealand 41-23 England, Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast2014: England 21-9 Canada, Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris2010: New Zealand 13-10 England, Twickenham Stoop, London2006: New Zealand 25-17 England, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton2002: New Zealand 19-9 England, Olympic Stadium, Barcelona1998: New Zealand 44-12 USA, National Rugby Centre Stadium, Amsterdam1994: England 38-23 USA, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh1991: USA 19-6 England, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Pool fixtures, kick-off times and BBC coverage All times are BST and subject to change. The BBC cannot take any responsibility for any late changes. Friday 22 AugustPool A: England v USA (19:30), Stadium of Light - BBC One from 18:30Saturday 23 AugustPool A: Australia v Samoa (12:00), Salford Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool B: Scotland v Wales (14:45), Salford Community Stadium - BBC One from 14:15Pool B: Canada v Fiji (17:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool D: France v Italy (20:15), Sandy Park - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appSunday 24 AugustPool C: Ireland v Japan (12:00), Franklin's Gardens - BBC Two from 11:45Pool D: South Africa v Brazil (14:45), Franklin's Gardens - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool C: New Zealand v Spain (17:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app Saturday 30 AugustPool B: Canada v Wales (12:00), Salford Community Stadium - BBC Two from 11:45Pool B: Scotland v Fiji (14:45), Salford Community Stadium - BBC Two from 14:15Pool A: England v Samoa (17:00), Franklin's Gardens - BBC Two from 16:30Pool A: USA v Australia (19:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appSunday 31 AugustPool C: Ireland v Spain (12:00), Franklin's Gardens - BBC Two from 11:45Pool C: New Zealand v Japan (14:00), Sandy Park - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool D: Italy v South Africa (15:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool D: France v Brazil (16:45), Sandy Park - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app Saturday 6 SeptemberPool B: Canada v Scotland (12:00), Sandy Park - BBC Two from 11:45Pool A: USA v Samoa (13:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool B: Wales v Fiji (14:45), Sandy Park - BBC Two from 14:15Pool A: England v Australia (17:00), Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium - BBC Two from 16:40Sunday 7 SeptemberPool C: Japan v Spain (12:00), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool D: Italy v Brazil (14:00), Franklin's Gardens - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport appPool C: New Zealand v Ireland (14:45), Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium - BBC Two from 14:30Pool D: France v South Africa (16:45), Franklin's Gardens - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app Quarter-final fixtures, kick-off times and BBC coverage Saturday 13 SeptemberQuarter-final 1: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D (13:00), Sandy Park - BBC Two from 12:30Quarter-final 2: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A (16:00), Ashton Gate - BBC Two from 15:30Sunday 14 SeptemberQuarter-final 3: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C (13:00), Sandy Park - BBC Two from 12:30Quarter-final 4: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B (16:00), Ashton Gate - BBC One from 15:30 Semi-final fixtures, kick-off times and BBC coverage Friday 19 SeptemberWinner QF1 v Winner QF2 (19:00), Ashton Gate - BBC Two from 18:30Saturday 20 SeptemberWinner QF3 v Winner QF4 (15:30), Ashton Gate - BBC One from 14:45 Final, kick-off time and BBC coverage Saturday 27 SeptemberThird-place play-off final (12:30), Twickenham - BBC Two from 11:45World Cup final (16:00), Twickenham - BBC One from 15:00
