LONDON — The anticipate a World Cup title goes on for England, however the Lionesses have been nonetheless heralded as sport changers again residence after their loss to Spain in Sunday’s last in Sydney.
King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a number of different politicians, royals and celebrities have been fast to reward the England gamers on social media regardless of a 1-0 loss within the Women’s World Cup title match.
“Although it’s the result none of us wanted, Lionesses you have done yourselves and this nation proud,” Prince William, who’s the president of England’s Football Association, posted on social media. “Your spirit and drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come.”
After successful the European Championship at residence final yr, England reached the championship match within the girls’s world event for the primary time. It was additionally the primary time an England staff had reached a World Cup last for the reason that males’s staff received in 1966.
“You left absolutely nothing out there @Lionesses,” Sunak posted on social media. “It wasn’t to be, but you’ve already secured your legacy as game changers. We are all incredibly proud of you.”
The European title helped develop the recognition of the ladies’s sport in England to unprecedented ranges, and hundreds of followers – women and men of all ages – gathered at venues across the nation to look at the World Cup last at Stadium Australia. Some of the supporters watching the sport on an enormous display screen at a venue exterior Wembley Stadium have been crying after last whistle, however mentioned the Lionesses’ performances will solely make them extra common.
“They’ve taken the game forward in this country more than anyone could ever believe,” 67-year-old Sue Whyatt mentioned. “This should take women’s football throughout the world on to another level altogether.”
Loren Mitchell, a 20-year-old soccer participant and fan, mentioned watching the England staff had been “very inspirational.”
“I want to be up there some day,” she mentioned.
Still, there have been some reminders that the ladies’s sport has to proceed combating for equality.
Prince William and Sunak have been each criticized for not touring to Australia for the ultimate, whereas England’s package provider Nike was broadly slammed for not placing a reproduction of Mary Earps’ goalkeeping jersey up on the market alongside these of the outfield gamers. Earps saved a penalty throughout the last and was named the most effective goalkeeper of the event, changing into one in every of England’s hottest gamers within the course of.
Charles had urged the Lionesses to “roar to victory” in a social media submit earlier than the sport, and supplied his commiserations after the loss.
“While I know how sore it must be, let none of you feel defeated, for to have reached the final at all is an immense tribute to your skill, determination and team spirit in the finest sporting tradition,” the British monarch wrote. “More than that, though, it will serve as an inspiration for generations to come – and, for that, your place in the history books is assured.”
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AP videographer Kwiyeon Ha contributed to this report.
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