England fans party into the early hours after football finally came home
England fans might be sporting a few sore heads this morning after the Lionesses ended 56 years of hurt with a 2-1 victory over Germany.
Crowds erupted at the full time whistle and as Chloe Kelly poked in an extra time winner to bring football home and send the nation into delirium.
Fans celebrated well into the night at venues across the country, with Sweet Caroline and Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) reverberating around Wembley and wild scenes across London lasting for hours.
Despite the drizzle, a number of fans took a celebratory dip in the fountains at Trafalgar Square as the big screens confirmed Sabrina Wiegman’s team had won the competition thanks to Kelly’s late finish and Ella Toone’s stunning chip.
Another celebration is planned this morning for England’s undoubtedly-bleary-eyed squad, who will appear at 11am in Trafalgar Square.
England’s team were also captured dancing together on the team bus and in the changing room after the emotional victory in front of a record crowd at Wembley.
Horns tooted and chants of ‘It’s coming home’ could be heard after the final whistle.
Among the crowd in Trafalgar Square was Samantha Isaac, 38, who branded the match ‘a historic moment’.
The Essex mum said: ‘It’s really important for women and girls to get this level of success and this many people here.
‘I’m over the moon, they have worked so hard.’
Her daughter Evie Isaac, nine, who plays football, said it was ‘exciting’.
Later today, up to 7,000 supporters will be able to celebrate with the players at a daytime event hosted by veteran Lioness Alex Scott in Trafalgar Square.
Supporters will be able to gain free entry on a first-come first-served basis from 11am, and can enjoy live music from DJ Monki while tournament highlights are shown on screens.
The players and manager, Sarina will take part in a Q&A session before lifting the trophy.
The event has been organised by the Greater London Authority, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Westminster Council, and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 12.40pm.
It is expected to end at 2pm.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the players had ‘captured the nation’s hearts’ and their Euro 2022 win would be ‘remembered forever’.
He said: ‘This is an iconic moment for English football and everyone is so proud of the players, Sarina and the support team.
‘They’ve captured the nation’s hearts and it is an achievement that will be remembered forever.
‘It has been an honour to host the tournament in England and the fans have been so important during the team’s journey to success this summer, so it’s only right that they can celebrate this historic victory together at Trafalgar Square.’
The team will lift the trophy again at Trafalgar Square later.
Fans will be able to bring their own food and disposable or reusable water bottles – except glass – on site, with free water refills also available.
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