Moment Alessia Russo tries to put off Ella Toone with cheeky prank during Lionesses' Downing Street photo
The Lionesses were greeted by cheering crowds as they returned home on Monday after their Euro 2025 shootout victory over Spain.
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The team arrived for a celebratory reception, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock, just before 7pm on Monday.
Number 10 was decorated for the occasion, with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings.
And the Queens of Europe posed for a legendary team photograph outside the famous black door, with manager Sarina Wiegman taking centre stage.
But while stood outside No 10, Russo was caught trying to put Toone off by playfully sticking her finger in her teammate's ear while photographers were gasping for pictures.
A shocked Toone, 26, quickly yanked her head away from Russo's surprise prod, before facing back straight to smile for snaps.
The pair, who started every game of Euro 2025, could be seen holding back fits of laughter while they tried to stay composed.
Russo, 25, and Toone's long-time friendship is well documented with the pair meeting in a youth England camp at the age of 12 and swiftly becoming inseparable.
Despite being from opposite ends of the country, striker Russo soon joined Toone at Manchester United in 2020, before leaving for Arsenal in 2023.
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The childhood friends, who also won Euro 2022 together, are set to join the team for an open-top bus victory parade of Central London on Tuesday.
Starting at 12.10pm, the bus will drive past fans along The Mall before ending with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace at around 12.30pm.
England's Lionesses return home to heroes' welcome with EURO 2025 trophy
Some of the team also took part in a 'cringe' 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.
England defended their European title with a 3-1 penalty shootout over world champions Spain in Basel.
Sunday's final was full of twists and turns, with England falling behind in the 25th minute to a header from Mariona Caldentey.
But the Lionesses roared back with a header of their own from Russo in the 57th minute to equalise the game.
Chloe Kelly smashed home the winning spot-kick following two saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, helping the squad become first English team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
Back home, more than 16 million people saw the match live on TV - the most-watched television moment of the year so far.
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Daily Mirror
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was in the crowd when England's Lionesses roared home - the atmosphere was incredible'
More than 65,000 people gathered in central London to watch England's Lionesses celebrate their homecoming in style It looked like it was going to rain on their parade. All morning, thick clouds hovered over Buckingham Palace like they were ready to burst - ominous, brooding. A bit like England in the group stages. Or England 2-0 down against Sweden, or right up to extra time against France. But with this group, you knew it would come good in the end. And sure enough, just as their two red open-topped buses turned onto the Mall, the clouds parted and the sun came blazing down in glory. Over 65,000 people erupted in cheers, not for the weather, but for what we'd all come to celebrate - the Lionesses, double European champions, heroes of the summer. I had joined the throng of jubilant fans lining the Mall, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with families, football fans, and faces painted with pride. Some of whom had arrived in the early hours to get the best view of the women whose names were emblazoned on their shirts and flags. Even before the Lionesses arrived, excitement rippled through the air. The noise built as the crowd swelled - chants echoing, fans singing along to the Royal Marines Band's brass rendition of It's Coming Home, and cheers ringing out as England's tournament highlights played on the big screens. Many of those cheering were teenage girls who had followed every nail-biting second of the Lionesses' journey - and had to see the finale too as their heroes brought it home. Among them was 12-year-old Amelie from Brighton, who was with her dad Anthony. Watching Sarina Wiegman's side win the Euros in 2022 inspired her to take up football, and she's just got home from competing with her girls' team in the Gothia Cup in Sweden. 'I just saw how happy it makes them and how determined they are and how much work they put in,' she said. 'It just really inspired me. 'This time I watched every single game. It's given me even more determination. It's made me realise that the sky's the limit.' Friends Bea, Lily and Izzy, all 16 from Guildford, agreed it was important to be there. 'So many girls have got into football because of them,' said Bea. 'They inspire me. They taught me not to give up, because even when it looks like you might not win, you still can.' The Mall has probably never heard such high-pitched screams as when the Lionesses finally came into view. Some of the girls gasped as they saw their heroines riding past. They looked as excited to see them - filming on their phones, waving and blowing kisses, and Captain Leah Williamson hoisting the trophy aloft. There were still more memories to be made. Sarina dancing on stage with Burna Boy. Chloe Kelly dropping an F-bomb on live TV - prompting a wince and an apology from Alex Scott between giggles. Heather Small leading the England squad in a rendition of Proud. Then came the final crescendo - red smoke billowing into the sky as the squad raised the trophy once more. It was followed by the loudest moment of the day - tens of thousands belting out Sweet Caroline in unison. And right until the very end, the sun kept shining for the Lionesses. Of course it did.
Metro
15 minutes ago
- Metro
Why England hero Jess Carter decided to miss Euro 2025 trophy parade
Lionesses defender Jess Carter was a surprise absentee from England's Euro 2025 trophy parade. Around 65,000 fans and members of the Royal Family attended England's joyous trophy parade in London on Tuesday afternoon. The England squad, which retained their Euros title with a penalty shootout win over Spain, was taken along The Mall in an open-top bus. The players then gathered on a stage in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace where the merriment continued. All but one of England's Euro-winning squad attended the parade, with Carter a surprise absentee following her crucial performance in the final. There had been scrutiny over Carter's place in the team earlier in the tournament but she justified Sarina Wiegman's faith with an impressive performance against World Cup holders Spain. As well as missing the trophy parade in central London, Carter also missed the England squad's visit to Downing Street on Monday evening. That is because the 27-year-old immediately flew back to the United States after the Euro 2025 final to prepare for another game. Carter's club side Gotham FC return to NWSL action on Saturday with an away match against Chicago Stars. According to talkSPORT, it was Carter's decision not her club's to return straightaway, even though it meant missing two days of celebration back in the UK. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video That appears to be the case as fellow England players Esme Morgan and Anna Moorhouse, who also play club football in America, attended the parade. Carter's decision to miss the celebrations divided England fans, with many saying it was a shame she was not involved after helping the Lionesses become two-time European champions. 'Jess Carter deserves to be there,' one fan posted on X with a crying emoji, while another said: 'I so wish Jess Carter was there to feel the love too.' Others said it was an example of 'elite mentality' from Carter, though there were also complaints about the congested football calendar which gives little time for breaks, even after major tournaments. Carter revealed she would be 'taking a step back from social media' during Euro 2025 due to the racist abuse she was suffering. 'From the start of the tournament I have experienced a lot of racial abuse,' said Carter, who is yet to post following England's Euros victory. 'While I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result, I don't agree, or think, it's OK to target someone's appearance or race. 'As a result of this I will be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with.' That abuse – plus the prospect of playing in a Euros final – left Carter 'scared' to even play in Sunday's showpiece event in Basel. 'I was super scared to play today for the first time in my life,' Carter told ITV after the match. 'But when I woke up and I saw my team, and the support I had and the belief I had from my teammates, my family and my manager, I knew I could just come out and give it my all. That's all you can do. 'To have that faith from Sarina to put me back in the squad, and that she believed I could help this team win a trophy, was amazing. It gave me a lot of confidence going into this game.' More Trending Speaking at England's trophy parade, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson said: 'I've been crying all the way down The Mall! 'This is unbelievable, probably one of the best things we've been a part of. We're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' Chloe Kelly, who scored England's winning penalty against Spain, added: 'This is incredible. Pressure, what pressure? 'It is so good to stand side by side with every single one of these girls throughout the whole tournament, and the staff that you don't see behind the scenes.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: 'What is Sarina doing?!' – Ian Wright 'baffled' by Wiegman decision in Euro 2025 final MORE: Legendary Lioness hero 'tipped for glittering TV career' after Euros 2025 win MORE: When is the next Women's World Cup and where is it being held?
Metro
15 minutes ago
- Metro
'What is Sarina doing?' - Wright 'baffled' by Wiegman call in Euro 2025 final
Ian Wright says he 'couldn't believe' Alessia Russo was taken off after scoring against Spain and feels Sarina Wiegman was 'very fortunate' to avoid a backlash as England went on to win the Euro 2025 final on penalties. For the third match on the bounce, the Lionesses were forced to come from behind after conceding to a Mariona Caldentey header midway through the first half in Basel. Just as they had done against both Sweden and Italy, the holders dug deep and managed to wrestle the momentum back in their favour, with Russo reacting brilliantly to nod home Chloe Kelly's pinpoint cross and level in the 57th minute. The two teams could not be separated after extra-time and it was England who eventually prevailed after another nerve-jangling shootout, with Kelly scoring the decisive spot-kick to seal a famous 3-1 win over the world champions. The Lionesses' latest triumph – which came at the end of a rollercoaster campaign – marked the first time in history that an English team had won a major tournament on foreign soil. It also further cemented Wiegman's legendary status as an international head coach. The 55-year-old first lifted the trophy with the Netherlands in 2017 before steering England to back-to-back titles over the last three years. Dissecting the final on the Crossways podcast, Wright was somewhat reluctant to criticise Wiegman considering just how far England had come since she took over the reins from Phil Neville. However, the iconic ex-Arsenal striker believes there were a couple of key decisions which could easily have gone against the England boss on another day. 'I've got to say, the Russo substitution is the most baffling thing I'll ever see if she's not injured. I could not believe it,' Wright said. 'Michelle [Agyemang] came on and, obviously, she's amazing, Young Player of the Tournament, only coming off the bench and doing enough to win, that was amazing on her part. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'But I think she [Agyemang] needs Russo on there with her in this time. 'They would have caused Spain so many problems because Russo would have dropped off, she would have been in the box. 'What is Sarina doing taking her off?! What's she doing taking her off?! I couldn't believe it.' According to Wright, Wiegman has proven beyond doubt that she is a 'genius' and a 'legend' – but hauling Russo off with 20 minutes remaining made little sense in the context of the match. 'She was feeding off scraps,' Wright said of Russo. 'When you're playing in a game like that, all you're hoping for is one chance that you can try and take, which she did, and then you get a second wind. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'When she went off you could see it. She's so sweet and she's saying thank you to everybody but you can see it in her mind, she must be thinking, 'What the f***'s going on?! What are you taking me off for?!' 'In the end, she's very fortunate. She's obviously shown she's a great coach with three European Championships on the spin. That's legendary. 'But some of the decisions… you're thinking to yourself, 'If that's what you're doing on purpose because you see the outcome in your head then you are a genius!', but she is a genius with what she's done.' Wright was similarly taken aback that Wiegman opted to 'gamble' on Lauren James' fitness when she had a player of Kelly's quality raring to go the start. 'With Lauren James, it's a Euros final. If she thinks, 'You know what? If I can get something out of myself I might be able to do it', then you're going to play,' he continued. 'And I think it was a gamble that I don't think Sarina should have taken, especially when you've got Chloe there. Chloe is ready to go and she showed that when she came on. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I thought it was strange. Again, you're talking about somebody who is obviously not fit enough. 'Then, we know that [Lauren] Hemp can come back and work back as well and help and you've got Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmati and Athenea del Castillo all on that side, that's the most attacking they can be on that side, and you've got Lauren James whose natural game is not to track back and try stop those players. 'She's half fit and it just felt like, 'Oh my gosh, what's going on?!'' More Trending Given the journey Kelly had gone on following a 'dark' time in her career at the start of the year, Wright had to fight back the tears when the Arsenal forward stepped up to convert the winning penalty. 'Who in history has had the opportunity to do that? She has won us a tournament the last kick,' he went on. 'I got emotional as well when she did it. I just had a feeling and I felt like I was going to cry. 'I was just so pleased for her and I wanted it to happen and I wanted it to happen for us a country.' Did Wiegman make a mistake bringing off Russo? For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Legendary Lioness hero 'tipped for glittering TV career' after Euros 2025 win MORE: When is the next Women's World Cup and where is it being held? MORE: Lionesses trophy parade: England celebrate historic Euro 2025 victory in London
