Despite the team’s defeat by Spain in the World Cup final, a number of celebrities, members of the British royal family and some politicians affirmed that the England women’s football team “inspired millions” and “paved the way for generations to come.”
The England national team lost 1-0 to Spain on Sunday in the final match of the ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup, which was held in Australia and New Zealand.
The victory of the Spanish national team in the match came through a clean goal scored by striker Olgar Carmona in the first half, to dash the hopes of the English national team and its Dutch coach Sarina Wegman to add the world title to the European Championship (Euro 2022), which the English team won one year ago.
Despite the defeat, fans were quick to congratulate the team for the “fantastic” work they did for women’s football.
Prince William, Prince of Wales, tweeted to the team after the match, in which he stated: “The spirit and march of the team has inspired so many people.”
Prince William faced criticism ahead of the match for choosing not to attend the match in person, as he watched the final alongside the Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at his home in Sandringham, Norfolk.
In his message to the England national team, the Prince said: “While it was an outcome none of us wanted, you did everything you could and you made this nation proud.”
He explained, “Your spirit and your career in the tournament inspired many people and paved the way for generations to come… We thank you for the football memories. Congratulations to Spain.”
No prominent member of the royal family in Britain attended the final match yesterday, but Queen Letizia of Spain was keen to attend the match accompanied by her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia, to confirm her country’s support for the national team and football.
Prince William, Crown Prince of Britain, apologized to the England national team, via a video message last Saturday, for not traveling to Australia and not attending the match.
And it seemed that King Charles and Queen Camilla did not follow the events of the match until 30 minutes after kick-off, when they were seen heading to the church in Crathie Kirk in Balmoral.
And fans flocked to pubs and bars yesterday morning to watch the match on television, and it is expected that this match will give a boost to the British economy by 185 million pounds ($ 235 million).
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on “X” (formerly Twitter), stressing that everyone was “very proud” of the team despite losing in the final.
Sunak said in his tweet that the team’s players did everything they could and left a legacy despite not winning the final. “We are all incredibly proud of you,” he explained.
English goalkeeper Marie Erabis gave the team and its fans some hope in the 70th minute when she saved a penalty kick taken by Spanish player Jennifer Hermoso, preserving her team’s chance to equalise, but this was not achieved despite 16 minutes being counted as time instead of wasted at the end of the match.
Former English football star Gary Lineker said that Spain was the best in the final, although the England players did everything they could.
And he explained in his tweet: “The players of the English national team gave everything they had, but congratulations to Spain for winning the World Cup. The Spanish national team was the best and deserved to win.”
British Minister of Culture Lucy Fraser expressed her pride in the team’s achievement, saying: “The players have inspired millions across the country through their wonderful performances, magical moments, determination and desire for this tournament…a wonderful journey that has ended, but it will not be forgotten.”
Fraser attended the match in Sydney on behalf of the British government.
Manchester United and England defender Maya Lee Tayseer said she was shocked by this defeat but was “proud” of this team, which has become “a source of inspiration for everyone”.
“We were very close to winning the title, but unfortunately we didn’t succeed. But I think we can be proud of the players… They will be an inspiration to everyone, girls and boys who now want to win,” she told the British news agency (BA Media). playing for England.
Amidst the Spanish national team’s celebrations of the world title, player Olga Carmona, who scored the only goal in the final match, received a great shock after learning after the match of her father’s death.
The Spanish club Real Madrid, for which Carmona plays, announced the death of her father, and the Spanish Football Federation extended its condolences to the player and her family.
