England’s defeated-but-defiant Lionesses are flying back to the UK from Australia after their heartbreaking loss at the Women’s World Cup final.
The players are now on a plane which will stop off at Singapore before landing at London Heathrow tomorrow morning.
Sarina Wiegman’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday – their first appearance in the final of the tournament since its inception in 1991.
It was also Spain’s first major tournament win – and England’s first competitive defeat under their Dutch manager in two years.
Before leaving their hotel for the airport, two of England’s senior stars shared their reflections on the match on social media.
Alex Greenwood, who played on with a bandage around her head after she was hit in the face by a player’s knee during the game, vowed in a post on Instagram: “We will be back.”
“This one hurts a lot and will for a while,” the 29-year-old defender wrote.
“However, I just want to say thank you to the whole team I have just spent the last nine weeks with, it was an incredible journey with amazing people, I am so proud of you all.”
She also thanked hosts Australia and England’s fans, before adding: “Sorry we couldn’t bring it home!! Humble in victory, gracious in defeat, we will be back!!”
Lucy Bronze added: “Don’t really have the enough words right now. Thank you to all the fans who have supported us on this journey. Your support has meant the world to us.
“Thank you to all my Lionesses teammates, I couldn’t be more proud of every single one of them.”
The right back, 31, who plays in Spain for club side Barcelona, added: “And congratulations to Spain for their World Cup victory.”
Despite falling short, many supporters are hoping the defeated Lionesses get a hero’s welcome when they fly back from Sydney.
“There should still be a homecoming parade or celebration for the Lionesses,” one posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“They need to know the effect and pride they have inspired throughout the tournament.”
Another said: “Gutted but so proud. I hope there is a homecoming parade for when they’re back, they deserve it.”
“Still want the parade,” said another post.
“I still want Trafalgar Square. I still want the laps of honour at their home grounds.”
There should still be a homecoming parade or celebration for the lionesses. They need to know the effect and pride they have inspired throughout the tournament @Lionesses we need to get this in place #Lionesseshomecoming 🏴 pic.twitter.com/yq6anA0XUo
— Claire (@claire28preston) August 20, 2023
Some fans are hoping for a parade through London and a visit to Downing Street or Buckingham Palace.
Previous men’s teams had been recognised for their near-miss campaigns, notably with a parade in Luton after the 1990 World Cup semi-finals.
PM told to recognise Lionesses with honours
Rishi Sunak has repeatedly voiced his admiration for the Lionesses this summer, and hosted some stars at Downing Street earlier this year.
“We are all incredibly proud of you,” he posted on X after the final.
But he has batted away questions about how their World Cup efforts could be recognised when they return home, ruling out a bank holiday even if they had won the final.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had called for the day off in the event of victory, and was quick to call for honours following the match on Sunday.
“They’ve inspired a generation of women and girls to play football, take up sport, and to remove any doubt in their minds that they too can go all the way in their chosen field,” he said.
“There’s no doubt they should be recognised by the honours system.”
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey echoed the call, saying “everyone on the team” deserved an honour.
Keeper Earps the pick of the bunch
Four Lionesses received honours earlier this year to mark their Euros success, with captain Leah Williamson – who missed the World Cup through injury – getting an OBE.
Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White were made MBEs, while Wiegman received an honorary CBE.
Fans and pundits alike will likely feel few deserve recognition more this time than goalkeeper Mary Earps, whose sublime performances saw her pick up the World Cup’s golden glove award.
The Manchester United star kept the Lionesses in the game against Spain, saving a second-half penalty from striker Jennifer Hermoso to stop them going 2-0 behind.
She had no chance with the only goal, a precise 29th minute strike into the bottom corner by Olga Carmona.
Demand for replica shirts
Supporters will at the very least hope her heroics see England’s kit maker Nike put her replica shirt on sale, having refused before the tournament kicked off.
Nine-year-old Alice Grundy, a budding goalkeeper from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, describes Earps as her hero and wants the opportunity to wear her shirt.
Her mother, Kimberley Grundy, said Earps was “an inspiration” and Nike’s stance was “disgusting”.
Sophie Judge, who’s six and from Leeds, also wants an Earps shirt. Her mother, Leanne Judge, said she would “feel like she was playing the part of her hero”.
Sports giant Nike, which sells a men’s England goalkeeper shirt on its website for £80 as well as both men’s and women’s outfield players’ kits, has said it understands the demand and is “working towards solutions for future tournaments”.
Once the Lionesses are back on home soil, they can look forward to some time off before their next game.
They will take on rivals Scotland in the Nations League at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on 22 September.
The domestic Women’s Super League does not return until 1 October.
