LONDON – England’s national women’s football team received a warm reception at Number 10 Downing Street on Monday evening following their dramatic European Championship victory over Spain.
The Lionesses arrived in Westminster just before 7pm, greeted by St George’s flags and bunting draped over the Prime Minister’s residence. The celebratory event was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, just hours after the team flew back from Switzerland.
England clinched their second consecutive European title on Sunday night in Basel, edging out reigning world champions Spain in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Chloe Kelly sealed the win with the decisive kick, replicating her heroics from the Euro 2022 final.
The squad left their Zurich hotel early Monday morning, with captain Leah Williamson seen carefully placing the trophy on the team bus. By the afternoon, their plane—branded with the word “home”—landed at Southend Airport, where fans and officials awaited.
At the Downing Street gathering, head coach Sarina Wiegman described the reception as “very, very special” and reflected on the significance of being inside one of the UK’s most iconic buildings, where images from their Euros journey were on display.
On Tuesday, the celebrations continue with an open-top bus parade through central London, finishing with a staged event at Buckingham Palace. The moment marks a historic achievement as the Lionesses became the first senior England team to win a major football tournament on foreign soil.
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