Lionesses fly dwelling: England facet head again from Australia after Women’s World Cup ultimate defeat to Spain

England’s defeated-but-defiant Lionesses are on their means again to the UK from Australia after their heartbreaking Women’s World Cup ultimate defeat.

Sarina Wiegman’s facet suffered a slender 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday – their first look within the ultimate of the event since its inception in 1991.

It was additionally Spain’s first main event win – and England’s first defeat beneath their Dutch in two years.

Before leaving their resort for the airport, two of England’s senior stars took to social media to share their reflection on the match.

Alex Greenwood, who played-on with a bandage round her head after taking a knee to the face through the recreation, vowed in a submit 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 additionally thanked hosts Australia and the England’s followers, earlier than including: “Sorry we couldn’t bring it home!! Humble in victory, gracious in defeat, we will be back!!”

Lucy Bronze added: “Don’t actually have the sufficient phrases proper now. Thank you to all of the followers who’ve supported us on this journey. Your assist 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 proper again, 31, who performs in Spain for membership facet Barcelona, added: “And congratulations to Spain for their World Cup victory.”

Despite falling quick, many supporters are hoping the defeated Lionesses get a hero’s welcome after they fly again from Sydney.

“There should still be a homecoming parade or celebration for the Lionesses,” one posted on X, previously Twitter.

“They need to know the effect and pride they have inspired throughout the tournament.”

Another mentioned: “Gutted but so proud. I hope there is a homecoming parade for when they’re back, they deserve it.”

“Still want the parade,” mentioned one other submit.

“I still want Trafalgar Square. I still want the laps of honour at their home grounds.”

Some followers are hoping for a parade by way of London and a go to to Downing Street or Buckingham Palace.

Previous males’s groups had been recognised for his or her near-miss campaigns, notably with a parade in Luton after the 1990 World Cup semi-finals.

PM instructed to recognise Lionesses with honours

Rishi Sunak has repeatedly voiced his admiration for the Lionesses this summer time, and hosted some stars at Downing Street earlier this year.

“We are all incredibly proud of you,” he posted on X after the ultimate.

But he has batted away questions on how their World Cup efforts could possibly be recognised after they return dwelling, ruling out a bank holiday even if they had won the final.

Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer had known as for the break day within the occasion of victory, and was fast to name 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 mentioned.

“There’s no doubt they should be recognised by the honours system.”

Liberal Democrats chief Sir Ed Davey echoed the decision, saying “everyone on the team” deserved an honour.

Keeper Earps the choose of the bunch

Four Lionesses obtained honours earlier this 12 months to mark their Euros success, with captain Leah Williamson – who missed the World Cup by way of harm – getting an OBE.

Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White have been made MBEs, whereas Wiegman obtained an honorary CBE.

Fans and pundits alike will probably really feel few deserve recognition extra this time than goalkeeper Mary Earps, whose chic performances noticed her choose up the World Cup’s golden glove award.

The Manchester United star saved the Lionesses within the recreation towards Spain, saving a second-half penalty from striker Jennifer Hermoso to cease them going 2-0 behind.

She had no likelihood with the one aim, a exact twenty ninth minute strike into the underside nook by Olga Carmona.

Demand for duplicate shirts

Supporters will on the very least hope her heroics see England’s package maker Nike put her duplicate 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 needs the chance to put on her shirt.

Her mom, Kimberley Grundy, mentioned Earps was “an inspiration” and Nike’s stance was “disgusting”.

Sophie Judge, who’s six and from Leeds, additionally needs an Earps shirt. Her mom, Leanne Judge, mentioned she would “feel like she was playing the part of her hero”.

Sports big Nike, which sells a males’s England goalkeeper shirt on its web site for £80 in addition to each males’s and girls’s outfield gamers’ kits, has mentioned it understands the demand and is “working towards solutions for future tournaments”.

Once the Lionesses are again on dwelling soil, they’ll look ahead to a while off earlier than their subsequent recreation.

They will tackle rivals Scotland within the Nations League at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on 22 September.

The home Women’s Super League doesn’t return till 1 October.