Players and pundits sound salute to triumphant Lionesses | OneFootball

Following England’s triumphant UEFA Euro 2025 campaign, swathes of tributes have been made to congratulate the Lionesses.

Sarina Wiegman elected four City players into her squad ahead of the tournament with Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp integral components to the success and Jess Park and Khiara Keating vital squad members.

After finishing second in Group D, England dramatically beat Sweden on penalties after fighting back from two-goals down to draw in normal time before advancing into the semi-finals.

There they met Italy where the Lionesses again snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with Michelle Agyemang equalising on the cusp of full-time ahead of Chloe Kelly’s 119th-minute winner.

That set up a tantalising meeting with Spain in the showpiece where England prevailed on penalties after Alessia Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey’s opener before full-time.

It means Wiegman’s side have become only the second team to retain the European Championships, which prompted ex-players, journalists and pundits to praise all connected to England’s success online.

Read a number of those messages bellow…

Jen Beattie: I think one of my favourite things to see in football is the best teams win when they don't play perfectly and I think England were that down to a T this entire tournament. They haven't played the perfect football but they've always found a way. They may have left it late, which has kept a lot of hearts racing across the UK, but look they're the ones lifting the trophy. They've shown so much character, so much depth of their game. They've been adaptable, they've changed things, they've used players off the bench. They've done exactly what they needed to do to win a major tournament again. This is a team that created history in 2022 and now they're continuing the legacy. What these women have done, staff as well, it is incredible for England. To see what it means to everyone. Awesome.

Toni Duggan: I'm lost for words. I can't believe what this team has shown. Back-to-back European champions. I played in semi-finals for England myself and we couldn't get it over the line, but this team have taken it to greater heights. They deserve every single bit. The maturity, talent, belief and togetherness that they have shown is incredible and I am so, so proud of them.

Henry Winter: These wonderful, gutsy Lionesses. England always find a way, and they did it the hard way. Put on the spot - and responded. Victory on pens. Champions again, huge character shown again, Kelly nerveless again, Hampton magnificent saves again. The Unbreakables. Leah Williamson and the indomitable Lionesses will surely receive fulsome recognition in the next honours list (or, in Wiegman's case, the UK overseas list). Great role models as well as back-to-back European champions.

Ellen White: This England team epitomise resilience, mentality, hard work, togetherness. I want to burst into tears! Sarina has won three Euros in a row - it is extraordinary.

Nedum Onuoha: England will fight to the very end. This England side, if you don't put them away, the quality will shine through right to the end. Lionesses have made the nation proud, again.

Karen Bardsley: England didn't show up in the World Cup final, let's be honest and they were punished. Now the shoe is on the other foot. England weathered the storm, managed to capitalise and got themselves back into the game. From that moment the confidence just grew and grew.

The Guardian's Tom Garry: It is a sight we have never seen, a senior England football team hoisting a major trophy in overseas air, an unparalleled away-from-home achievement, history made in Basel. And then there was the blissful soundtrack that accompanied it. That sweet, glorious sound of We Are The Champions being sung abroad by England and their supporters, Sarina Wiegman conducting everyone with her waving arms, and every England player and staff member belting out Queen’s words.

Wiegman is this sport’s undisputed queen of coaching, winning this silverware three times in a row, and now the first England manager to successfully defend a trophy. The Dutchwoman is the greatest signing the Football Association has made. What this win was defined by, though, was a “team”, and on Sunday they produced the ultimate team performance to beat the world’s best.

The Athletic’s Colin Millar: “England played 360 minutes of knockout football at Euro 2025. To be ahead for just 1 minute and behind for 173 minutes – 2 hours, 53 minutes – is (almost?) unheard of. Squad depth, substitutions and penalties are essential in knockout football.”

OptaJoe: 274 – Lauren Hemp led all players at #WEURO2025 for high-intensity pressures applied to opposition players, while only teammate Alessio Russo (205) made more than Hemp in the attacking half (146). Relentless.

Jill Scott on her Instagram story: “THEY DID IT!!! I couldn’t be happier for them all!