The Lionesses have arrived at Downing Street for a special reception following their historic Euro 2025 win
They are being hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner as Keir Starmer has been in Scotland for talks with US President Donald Trump
Sarina Wiegman's triumphant team defended their European title last night, becoming the first English team to win a major tournament on foreign soil
The match went to penalties, with England winning the shootout against Spain 3-1 - relive the moment England won
An open-top bus tour is to be held in central London on Tuesday, with a celebration held outside Buckingham Palace
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England beat Spain on penalties to win Euro 2025
The delay certainly isn't dampening spirits at Southend Airport as even more fans begin to arrive.
The Lionesses are going to be kept busy upon landing, that's for sure.
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So unbelievably proud this morning! I’ve been watching England play football for a long time. I hoped, prayed even, had my hands over my eyes watching pens, cheered, cried, sang - things I’ve done many times watching international football, but only this Lionesses team has left me this elated at the end of a major tournament. We’ve never had this grit, this never say die attitude to win us games, ride the luck, find a way. Talent we’ve had before but a winning formula had been elusive until these incredible women and SW - this is what English football should be known for. Come on the Lionesses!!!
Laura, Alton
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Euro 2025 celebrations continue but already the King is calling for World Cup glory!
Having just reclaimed their crown as champions of Europe for another four years, England's next target - once they have fully enjoyed this one - will be World Cup success.
They reached the final in 2023, losing 1-0 to Spain, who they have just defeated.
The 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup takes place in Brazil and it's less than 24 months until it kicks off on 24 June that year.
The BBC and ITV have secured the broadcasting rights for the 2027 World Cup held in Brazil, ensuring the biggest tournament in women's football remains free-to-air for UK audiences.
The King has led the praise for the "awesome" Lionesses after their Euro 2025 victory.
King Charles said England had showed "there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms".
"For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'," he said.
"As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.
"Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can."
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To all those over 40 women out there who think it's too late to start playing, check out your local women's walking football club. We watched the game together yesterday, brilliant evening. Lionesses can inspire us all no matter our age.
Alice, Norwich
Even European champions can face airport delays, who knew!
Matt Graveling
BBC sports reporter at Southend Airport
I have just been told by the staff at Southend Airport that the England team's arrival has been delayed by an hour.
Sarina Wiegman and her players are now expected to land here at 15:20 BST.
But there are no signs of frustration here among the fans, who remain in high spirits, and the crowd is continuing to grow steadily to welcome the back-to-back European champions.
So many remarkable stats to take in around the Lionesses' Euro 2025 triumph.
How about this one, from our friends at Opta.
Hannah Hampton conceded just 27% of the penalties she faced at the tournament (3/11). That's the lowest rate on record (since 2011) in a single edition of either the Women's World Cup or the Women's Euros (minimum eight penalties faced).
All that research written on the sticker on her arm certainly paid off.
Image source, OptaSophie Brown
BBC Sport
A record eleven different players scored for England during Euro 2025, with Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze, Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly all finding the target.
It surpasses the previous highest total for a women’s team at the European Championship which was set by Germany in 2009, when 10 players found the net. Both nations went on to lift the title.
Matt Graveling
BBC sports reporter at Southend Airport
I am at Southend Airport this afternoon, where fans are already starting to gather to welcome home the European champions.
The sun is shining and there's some real buzz building with a group of England fans waving flags and sporting the Lionesses shirts.
Among the first to arrive here are two young fans - Skye Slade, 10, and Raheem Shahid, 9.
Skye, who lives near the airport, says she has come down because she wants to meet all of the Lionesses - and she dreams of becoming one in the future.
She has been playing since she was three - just like Raheem, who adds that it’s important to support women’s football.
They are with Stacey Copping, who tells me she changed her plans just to make sure she could bring the two young England fans to the airport.
“These kids love football, it’s their life,” she says.
“Meeting the Lionesses will absolutely make their day. It’s their dream to meet the Lionesses.”
England fans have begun gathering at Southend Airport ready to welcome home their heroes.
Smiles all round from everyone in attendance.
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Image source, Reuters
England
Ella Toone speaking to BBC Sport: "Amazing feeling. I felt all the same emotions as I did back then [at Euro 2022]. We worked so hard, winning a tournament for your country - there's no better feeling. We deserved that and we should be so proud of ourselves.
"There were times when people thought we were down and out but we never did. We had that belief in the squad that we were going to come out and win.
"That's the quiet confidence we have in ourselves. Amazing feeling. We're going to enjoy the night. I love a party, I'm a Tyldesley girl of course I love a party."
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Kids celebrating with a message on the beach, incredible performance and inspiring everyone, go Lionesses 🏴⚽️
Anon
Image source, AnonThe Lionesses are on their way home after making history once again.
We've been reacting to their incredible triumph all morning. Here is what you might've missed:
A picture can tell a thousand words...
Image source, Getty ImagesJust a couple of legends.
Image source, Getty ImagesLucy Tough Bronze. That is all.
Image source, Getty ImagesGoat.
Image source, Getty ImagesEuro 2025 champions
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Hi there, I just wanted say something about Lucy Bronze to your live article: Lucy Bronze is the epitome of English women’s football. She played with everything in her power even if she had to play with her broken knees and fractured tibia. Playing whilst being injured shows how much passion and love she has for her country! She is the legend and she has yet again shown how her resilience and strength can bring together this nation! Lucia Roberta Tough Bronze, you ARE that woman, thank you for EVERYTHING!
Anon
Lucy Bronze encapsulates the determination and perseverance of this England team. I, as I’m sure so many others, am in awe of everything that she has done this tournament and through her whole career. I am so incredibly proud of her for what she does on the pitch and off. So delighted with all of the Lionesses! Lots of love.
Milly, Manchester
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I simply cannot find the words to express what the team have achieved and the manner with which they have done it. True professionals and now rightly legends of the English game. I've been hooked on the woman's game since I took my son to Team GB's first game at Cardiff during the Olympics. I recall saying "they'd kick West Ham off the park the way they're playing", I know that's not saying much, but as a hammer, I was enthralled with skill and talent. This English team, under the incredible management of SW, have taken the game into new territory. (I also hate to admit I was slightly critical of Bronze for the Spanish goal, as I didn't think she had her feet set right to head and attack the cross, yeah, fractured tibia may have been a factor! God I love that player! She is massive!)
Paul
Image source, Getty ImagesPlenty of records fell by the wayside as England defended their Euro crown.
The Lionesses had 11 different players scoring in Switzerland - Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze, Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly.
It broke the previous record held by Germany who had 10 different scorers sharing 21 goals in their victorious 2009 campaign.
Sarina Wiegman's side also claimed the record for the most different scorers in a single Euro game as six players - Stanway, Toone, Hemp, Russo, Mead and Beever-Jones - found the back of the net in a 6-1 win against Wales in the group stage.
Group D, which featured England, Wales, France and the Netherlands, also registered more goals than any other group in the tournament's history - 29 goals from six matches.
England also recorded the biggest comeback in a Euro knockout tie when they came back from two down to beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-final.
The Lionesses also became the team with most wins on penalties in a single edition - as they saw off Sweden and Spain via shoot-outs to become European champions again.
BBC Radio 5 Live
Julie Tough, Lucy Bronze's aunt told BBC Radio 5 Live she knew about Bronze’s broken tibia and that it was discovered “some weeks ago”.
Tough told 5 Live: “They [the physios] said ‘can't be, you couldn't play if you had an injury like that’. It wasn’t until they did the scans and things and said ‘ yeah it is’.
“I don't think playing was going to help but I don’t think it was going to make it worse. Lucy wouldn’t damage her body but she’ll play through pain if she thinks she’s not going to do anything worse to it, so not let the pain get in the way.
“The team knew, the physios knew because they helped her through it.”
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Thank you BBC Sport for your excellent coverage. Like many women in England I grew up on the sidelines watching my brothers and Dad play football. The soundtrack of my life was the football scores on Saturday, I lived the highs and lows of the men's England team. I'm 52 and wanted to play football as a girl but there was no opportunity. All credit to the Lionesses and the thousands of men and women who support girls to play football! England Lionesses you have given me and all of us an experience the men's team never have. You bring joy, professionalism, inclusivity and team work to our national game. Inspiring! SO PROUD!!!
Anon