The Lionesses have set their sights on world domination after winning England’s first major trophy since 1966.
Chloe Kelly, who scored the winner late in extra-time to clinch the 2-1 win over Germany at Wembley, said that one trophy was “not enough” and that her teammates were hungry for more.
It came as fans packed out Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Lionesses’ historic Euro 2022 victory. Over 87,000 supporters packed out Wembley for the game, while the final also attracted a record TV audience of 17.4 million Britons.
Shortly after belting out “Sweet Caroline” to fans gathered in central London, Kelly said: “Looking at this medal makes you so much hungrier for more.
“The World Cup is around the corner. I want to win trophies. As a young girl you grow up seeing people win trophies and we’re here doing that.”
Full-back Lucy Bronze told the Guardian that winning the Euros was “fantastic”, but added: “There is a little star missing from our crest at the minute on the England shirt. That’s definitely a mission of ours.”
Crowds descended on the capital to join the team at an event hosted by ex-player and TV presenter Alex Scott.
Cheers rang out as confetti cannons and giant sparklers greeted England once again lifting the trophy.
Sally Butler, 43, the chairwoman of Stafford Soccer Mums FC, was among those in Trafalgar Square, and said that the Lionesses’ victory was a significant moment for her personally.
“I wasn’t allowed to play (football) at school, I’m from that generation where it wasn’t accepted, because I was a girl,” she said.
The Lionesses will face a difficult test in the form of the United States, who secured back-to-back World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019. They beat England in the semi-final of the last tournament.
Asked whether she felt the Lionesses could beat the US, Bronze said: “We know there are plenty of teams outside of Europe who want to compete for that World Cup as well as the teams in Europe who were in this tournament. I guess it’s up for grabs and we’re in a good place at the minute.”
Downing Street insisted Boris Johnson is supportive of women’s football amid questions over his absence from Wembley and the lack of a No 10 reception for the victorious Lionesses.
It also emerged that, unlike other successful sporting teams, the Lionesses will not be honoured with a visit to No 10 this week.
Asked whether the Prime Minister’s absence from Wembley reflected badly on his attitude to the women’s game, his spokesman said: “I think the public will judge the Government on the support it has given to women’s football.
“This is a Government that has stood steadfastly in terms of supporting the women’s game and investing in it.”
