The watch for a World Cup title goes on for England, however the Lionesses had been nonetheless heralded as recreation changers back home after their loss to Spain in Sunday’s final in Sydney.
King Charles III, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a number of different politicians, royals and celebrities had been fast to reward the England gamers on social media despite a 1-0 loss in 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 profitable the European Championship at home final yr, England reached the championship match in the ladies’s international event for the primary time. It was additionally the primary time an England workforce had reached a World Cup final for the reason that males’s workforce gained 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.”
[Read more: England feels pain of coming up just short of title: ‘We gave everything’]
The European title helped develop the recognition of the ladies’s recreation in England to unprecedented ranges, and 1000’s of followers — women and men of all ages — gathered at venues across the nation to watch the World Cup final at Stadium Australia. Some of the supporters watching the sport on an enormous display at a venue outdoors Wembley Stadium had been crying after final whistle, however mentioned the Lionesses’ performances will solely make them extra fashionable.
“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 workforce had been “very inspirational.”
“I want to be up there some day,” she mentioned.
Still, there have been some reminders that the ladies’s recreation has to proceed preventing for equality.
Prince William and Sunak had been each criticized for not touring to Australia for the final, opting to keep at home as an alternative. William’s resolution was particularly noteworthy as the top of the FA, the governing physique of English soccer. Queen Letizia of Spain made the journey to attend the final alongside along with her youthful daughter Infanta Sofia.
“I would have personally liked him (William) to go there for the girls,” Kelly Dodd, a 39-year-old fan who watched the sport along with her household at a screening on the Olympic Park in east London, instructed Britain’s PA information company. “If it was the men they probably would have made the effort to go.”
England’s equipment provider Nike was additionally broadly slammed for not placing a duplicate of Mary Earps‘ goalkeeping jersey up on the market alongside these of the outfield gamers. Earps saved a penalty through the final and was named one of the best goalkeeper of the event, changing into certainly one of England’s hottest gamers in the method.
Charles had urged the Lionesses to “roar to victory” in a social media put up earlier than the sport, and provided 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.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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