Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were among the former England stars to pay tributes to the Lionesses after they lifted the 2022 Women’s European championship.
Sarina Wiegman’s side took on Germany at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening, with Chloe Kelly ’s close-range strike in extra-time securing the title after Ella Toone and Lina Magull had exchanged goals in normal time. The full-time whistle understandably triggered wild celebrations at Wembley Stadium, at Trafalgar Square and indeed across the nation.
The Lionesses’ victory is a landmark moment for the team as it secures their first-ever major trophy, whilst it also brings to an end the 56-year wait for honours since the men’s 1966 success against Germany. Whilst that fact has been hailed, both Carragher and Neville have pointed to the lasting legacy that the Euros success could have for the women’s game across the country.
Taking to Twitter, 38-capped defender Carragher wrote: “Congratulations @Lionesses fantastic achievement. The first goal summed up the quality in this team. You are all role models for future generations who will take up the game because of what they’ve seen today.”
Former footballing and current Sky Sports colleague Neville shared those sentiments as he too took to social media to share his thoughts on the victory at Wembley Stadium. He said: “What the @Lionesses have just done is amazing and so damned bloody hard to do. A seismic moment for Sport in this country! Well done to you all.”
The tributes have not ended there with a vast number of both current and former England stars sharing their congratulations. Current Three Lions captain Harry Kane hailed the celebrations at Wembley Stadium, whilst also taking time to praise Toone’s audacious chipped goal that got the ball rolling in the capital.
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“Absolutely unreal scenes at Wembley!! Massive congrats to the amazing @Lionesses!! @ellatoone99 take a bow for that finish too,” he wrote.
The Spurs star was joined by former England forward and current Match of the Day host Gary Lineker who took a humorous approach to his congratulations.
“Football is a simple game. 22 women chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, England actually win. Congratulations @lionesses. Fabulous,” he said.
The final word surely has to go to Sir Geoff Hurst - the scorer of a hat-trick the last time that England lifted a major trophy. With the Lionesses success coming just one day after the anniversary of England’s 1966 success, the former striker took to Twitter with a simple yet highly effective message.
He wrote: “European Champions. Unbelievably proud. #Lionesses”
