It took just seconds for Leah Williamson to make the switch. From creating history by becoming the first England captain since Bobby Moore to win a major international tournament, her head immediately turned to the future while everyone else was losing theirs at Wembley. “The legacy of this team is winning and this is the start of the journey,” Williamson repeated. It crystalised in a moment just what the Lionesses were playing for and what they had achieved when Chloe Kelly’s goal in extra time crossed the line.
A week has now passed since England’s victory over Germany, watched by the biggest crowd in the history of the European Championships and the 17 million that tuned in from around the country. There have been celebrations in Trafalgar Square, sunglasses hiding hungover eyes to make this squad all the more endearing, congratulations from the Queen and heroic homecomings. Giddy on the success, England announced a friendly against the United States at Wembley in early October. Demand for the match saw the ticketing website crash and it was sold out in 24 hours.
