Princess Charlotte roars the Lionesses to victory! Young royal watches on with her father William as England win their second Euros final

Daily Mail​

27-07-2025

The Lionesses have won another Women's Euro final after a heart-stopping period of extra time led to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory.
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo had managed to successfully divert Chloe Kelly 's cross into the back of the net in the 57th minute - sending Lionesses supporters into raptures as they equalised with Spain.
The deadlock continued throughout 30 minutes of extra time before the penalty shoot-out.
But it was Kelly again who provided the key moment - just like three years ago in Euro 2022 - as her now iconic spot kick clinched the title.
England fans had watched on nervously as they once again found themselves behind in a crucial Euros tie.
Fans draped in England flags joined the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte in holding their heads in their hands as Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up at the end of the first half.
A nervous atmosphere transformed into a jubilant one at Boxpark Croydon as Russo's header found the net, with England flags being waved and supporters hugging each other during the celebrations.
At the final whistle, fans of the Lionesses appeared confident as they started dancing and cheering as the match went into extra time.
William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland for the Euros final as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses.
Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales 's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'.
The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. He was also joined by Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria.
William and Charlotte could be seen smiling as they watched the game, not losing hope after Spain take the lead to be one-nil up
In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.'
William posted a good luck message on Saturday which read: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow.
'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on! W.'
It comes as the boyfriend of England star Ella Toone backed the Lionesses today ahead of their big game tonight where the squad will seek 'redemption' in the Women's Euro Final.
Joe Bunney uploaded a post to social media today which he captioned 'Big day ahead. Redemption time. Come on girls' in reference to the team's nailbiting loss to Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final.
England's women now have the opportunity to seek their revenge as they play the country tonight.
Supporters watching the match in Basel, Switzerland were also pictured kitted out head-to-toe in red and white.
In a post uploaded to X this morning the Royal Family shared a clip of guardsmen performing the iconic England anthem 'It's coming home' outside Buckingham Palace.
The accompanying caption read: 'Let's go girls!! Wishing the very best of luck to the Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.'
The Royal family lead the nation in wishing the Lionesses 'the very best of luck' tonight
The fanzone is already starting to fill up and photos show jubilant supporters dancing and enjoying a cool drink in the run-up to the game
Downing Street also shared in the football fever as it decked outs its railing with bunting and displayed the flag of St George in its windows.
Number 10 said: 'Good luck today, Lionesses. Let's bring it home.'
Speaking to MailOnline at Wembley, where fans have gathered to show their support ahead of watching a livestream of the match, supporters told of their 'excitement' insisting 'we're going to win'.
Sophie McCusker, who was joined by her three friends outside the stadium said: 'We've come from Liphook, which is a small village, and are huge football fans. This is the biggest game of the ear. We're so excited.
'Women couldn't play football for what 50 years, I think we'll catch up with the men in 10.
'In the last few years the standard has just gone up and up. It's definitely beginning to be taken more seriously, we saw some dads on the way in here.
'Our dads are the reason we started playing, it would be so special if they were here.'
Sophie's friend Genevieve Turner predicted the score as 2-1 extra time to England and 'maybe even penalties'.
She said: 'I can't wait. We're going to win.'
In contrast, Katie Fuller and Charlotte Brown, both 25, said they hadn't any predictions for the score and 'don't want to put any energy into it' and they 'didn't want it to go wrong'.
Charlotte said: 'We were just out in Switzerland to watch the Norway game - it was wild. There were loads of English fans there. Some men as well, so it is happening. Men are coming. The atmosphere is gonna be insane.
'The atmosphere is going to be electric in there, we've been to the games at Wembley before so this is definitely the place to be.'
Father and daughter John, 60, and Emma, 25, were also out enjoying the pre-match buzz.
Emma said: 'We're local so we come to BoxPark all the time, the atmosphere in there is electric.'
Her father, John, added: 'It's very different from the men's, much more friendly. It's better, more enjoyable. No drinks being thrown about or drugs, people are just there for a good time. It should be taken more seriously, hopefully if we win tonight it will all change.'
The pair said they predicted a 2-1 win to England hoping the team score early and 'Spain won't be hogging the ball like in the man's games'.
Phoebe, 16, was joined by her mother Carly, 46, outside Wembley.
Predicting 2-0 to England, the pair said they were 'so nervous'.
Carly added: 'I can't wait to see what the atmosphere will be like, we just got here so it will be interesting to see if it's different from the men's. We're just here to support women.'
Some fans have also spoken of their disappointment as they say they were refused entry to BoxPark. The furious supporters had travelled from Cambridge having booked tickets six weeks ago when the event was free - but following England's progression to the final the event has now sold out and the group have been denied entry.
Describing it as a 'complete scam', Jessica said: 'I'm just devastated, we've travelled all this way & we're such huge fans. There's people getting in there without England tops on & we're clearly dressed for the occasion.'
Jasmine added: 'I play football so tonight means a lot to me, if we don't get in I'll be gutted. We will pay, we've got no issue with that, but they've point blank refused us entry.'
Despite scenes elsewhere of jubilant supporters, Laura painted a different picture, saying: 'We've got here and there's no real atmosphere, no real support. If this were the men's the streets would be packed out.
'We're waiting to speak to the manager now - if we can't get in, we'll be gutted. Where are we supposed to go?'
Meanwhile the fanzone in Basel, Switzerland has filled up fast and photos show jubilant supporters dancing and enjoying a cool drink in the run-up to the game.
Some supporters have also got in the spirit with cardboard cut-outs of the players and large flags that read 'Lionesses Roar to the Final'.
Other fans to share their good luck messages this morning included The Spice Girls.
The Chase star and 'Dark Destroyer' Shaun Wallace said: 'Let's hope the Lionesses get the gift of a great performance and bringing it home tonight! Make the most of everyday, every day is a gift.
'Have a fantastic Sunday and good luck to the Lionesses tonight.'
This evening's match will begin at 5pm as England bids for its second title in a row following the team's victory against Spain in the previous tournament.
England's captain Leah Williamson said the team are 'aware' and 'connected' to what it would mean if the nation won today.
She added: 'I think we don't necessarily carry the weight of it [the expectations] and how much it means to people, but we are aware of it because it means the same to us.
'We recognise the opportunity and will do everything we can to take it.'
The Lionesses faced a tough group in the initial stages but sailed through to the knockout rounds.
A dramatic penalty shootout saw them emerge victorious in the quarter-final against Sweden.
Fans take photographs in the fan zone ahead of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final as they sip cool drinks ahead of the game
And then they beat Italy 2-1 in extra time in the semi-final - marking another stunning comeback.
England and Spain remain the two best sides in Europe - though the Lionesses are expected to be in for a tough fight if they wish to emerge victorious, as Spain won their most recent match 2-1 on June 3.
They will also be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
Messages of support have also poured in from the likes of the cast of EastEnders, with Heather Pearce - who plays the character Eve Panesar-Unwin in the British sitcom - saying: 'You've already done us proud and you've inspired a nation - particularly my three little girls.'
She added on behalf of the cast: 'We wish you all the luck on Sunday night.'
Prince William is expected to be at the stadium in Switzerland tonight at the St Jakob-Park stadium cheering the Lionesses on.
In a social media post, he said: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow.
'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on!'
England fans participate in the fan walk to the stadium prior to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match between England and Spain
Khiara Keating of England arrives at the stadium prior to the game which has a kick off time of 5pm
Players of England pose for a photo during a pitch inspection prior to the big game where they will face Spain
Sarina Wiegman, Head Coach of England, gestures during a pitch inspection prior to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final match
A poster of captain Leah Williamson on display at the England fan zone in the run-up to the big game
England fans pose for photographers at the fan zone, titled the 'Lionesses HQ' ahead of the final
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Into the final and inspiring the nation. Let's bring it home.'
Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson added the team had 'absolutely smashed it', saying 'everybody is so proud of you'.
One England fan joked to Sky News he 'had hair' before England's nerve-racking run to the final.
He added: 'I'm a bit nervous but fingers crossed - we're going to win.'
Today's match kicks off at 5pm UK time in Basel, Switzerland, and will be broadcast live on both BBC One and ITV1.