Celebratory homecoming for England's Lionesses following their triumph at Euro 2025
In a thrilling finale, Chloe Kelly, the forward for Arsenal and the England national team, converted the decisive penalty kick to clinch the European women's football championship for England in Basel, Switzerland. This victory marked the team's third consecutive European Championship crown, following Sarina Wiegman's success with the Netherlands in 2017.
Born on January 15, 1998, Kelly is recognized as one of the standout players of her generation. She rejoined Arsenal permanently in July 2025 after a loan spell from Manchester City. Her major 2025 achievement was starting and contributing to Arsenal's 1–0 win against Barcelona in the UEFA Women's Champions League final held in Basel in May 2025. This win marked Arsenal’s second European trophy, underscoring Kelly's impact at the highest club level in European women’s football.
The final against Spain ended in a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time, setting the stage for Kelly's heroics. Hannah Hampton, the England goalkeeper, made two crucial penalty saves in the final. The level and intensity of the games in the tournament broke records, according to data.
The team's plane, with "Home" painted on its side, was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Sarina Wiegman were the first off the plane, with Williamson holding the trophy. An open-top bus parade is scheduled for Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace.
England's road to victory was not easy. They came back from a 2-0 deficit against Sweden in the quarter-finals and won on penalties. The team also lost their first match against France in the tournament. However, they managed to turn their fortunes around, securing a comfortable win over the Netherlands and Wales in the group phase and sealing their spot in the final with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy.
Among the supporters were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who asked for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. Supporters of the team gathered at Southend airport, about 40 miles east of London, to welcome the victorious team home.
Sarina Wiegman, who successfully defended the European women's football crown her team won at Wembley in 2022, expressed hope that England's win will boost women's football globally. The team was hosted at number 10 by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock. Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, also wrote a message to the team praising them for their victory.
Rayner hailed the players as a "shining example of talent and excitement for women's football." The team's achievement is sure to inspire a new generation of footballers and fans, further boosting the growing popularity of women's football in the UK and beyond.
- Sarina Wiegman, the manager of England's victorious women's football team, has expressed hope that their win in the European Championships will boost women's football on a global scale, particularly in countries like France and other European leagues where the sport is gaining popularity.
- In addition to their triumph in the European championship, Chloe Kelly, a standout player of her generation, also played a crucial role in securing Arsenal's second UEFA Women's Champions League trophy when she started and contributed to the team's 1–0 win against Barcelona in the 2025 final.
- Beyond their success in the European tournaments, England's women's football team demonstrated resilience by overcoming a 2-0 deficit against Sweden in the quarter-finals, securing a comfortable win over the Netherlands and Wales during the group phase, and sealing their spot in the final with a last-gasp extra-time victory over Italy, demonstrating that they are champions not just in the Champions League, but in other European leagues as well.
