England v Spain reaction: ‘Gutted’ stars share disappointment as Lionesses miss out on World Cup
Fans, politicians and celebrity supporters have shared their disappointment after the Lionesses failed to secure the World Cup title, after being beaten Spain in the final.
If they had emerged victorious, it would have been England’s first senior team World Cup win since 1966.
Despite the nation’s heavy heart over the loss, many were quick to acknowledge the important part the team has played in raising the profile of women’s football, becoming role models to youngsters around the country, and household names in the process.
Following the match, the Lionesses wrote on their official social media channels: “Our @FIFAWWC dream comes to an end at the final hurdle.”
Moments after their Women’s World Cup defeat, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “You left absolutely nothing out there @Lionesses. It wasn’t to be, but you’ve already secured your legacy as game changers. We are all incredibly proud of you.”
Some were quick to point out his Freudian slip, suggesting he may have got his words a little mixed up, possibly meaning the players left “everything” out there, rather than “nothing”.
Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote: “Heartbreaking. So proud of the England team who inspired the whole country. This is just the beginning for the @Lionesses”.
Read more: Live reaction to England’s World Cup defeat
While King Charles is not believed to have watched the match (he was spotted heading to church at Crathie Kirk in Balmoral around half an hour after kick-off) he did share a message of commiseration with the Lionesses.
The King wrote: “While I know how sore it must be, let none of you feel defeated, for to have reached the final at all is an immense tribute to your skill, determination and team spirit in the finest sporting tradition. More than that, though, it will serve as an inspiration for generations to come – and, for that, your place in the history books is assured”.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales – who got some flack over his decision not to attend the match in person – wrote on his official account, shared with the Princess of Wales: “Although it’s the result none of us wanted, @Lionesses you have done yourselves and this nation proud.
“Your spirit & drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come. Thank you for the footballing memories.”
Showing good sportsmanship worthy of his position, William added: “Congratulations to Spain. W.”
William and Kate, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, watched the final together at home in Sandringham, Norfolk, according to Kensington Palace.
Carol Vorderman has thanked the Lionesses for giving women “such hope for the future” after their World Cup dreams were dashed by Spain.
The former Countdown star congratulated Spain on their win, but went on to thank England for all they’ve “done for women in the UK”.
“I know it won’t feel like it now, but from an old bird whose early dreams were stopped by the ‘system’, you have given us such hope for the future (long after I’ve gone). Thank you,” she said.
Presenter Rylan Clark, who found fame on The X Factor in 2012, tweeted: “The @Lionesses keeping it going right to the last seconds. We’re all proud of ya!!!!”
While The Apprentice boss and entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar, 76, tweeted: “Unlucky ladies you gave your all. You did so well to get to the final of the world cup @Lionesses.”
Former Dragons’ Den star, Theo Paphitis, said the Lionesses “played with guts and did us proud”.
The 63-year-old added: “Not their day in the final result but a great tournament for them regardless.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, who was there in person for the match, wrote: “Gutted for the team. The @Lionesses can hold their heads high.
“They worked so hard all tournament & they’ve inspired countless people across the country & world, particularly young women & girls. The team have done their country proud.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker said Spain were the better team in the final but added the Lionesses “gave their all”.
He tweeted: “Gutted for the Lionesses who gave their all, but congratulations to Spain on winning the World Cup.
“They were the better team and thoroughly deserved their victory.”
And British writer and comedian Mark Steel rounded up the disappointment with a joke, writing on X: “Now, to prove England’s women have achieved equality with men, they should all trash the local tapas bar.”
Steel later added: “Spain deserved it. England were brilliant for most of the World Cup. Earps was amazing in goal. Now every team should copy Spain, and have an acrimonious split a week before a tournament.”
Donald Trump may be denied the honour of addressing parliament on his state visit to the UK later this year, with no formal request yet submitted for him to be given that privilege.
It comes after President Macron’s successful state visit this week, in which he was invited to speak in front of both Houses of Parliament.
Sky News has been told the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, hasn’t so far received a request to invite the US president to speak in parliament when he is expected to visit in September.
It was confirmed to MPs who have raised concerns about the US president being allowed to address both houses.
Kate Osborne, Labour MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, wrote to the speaker in April asking him to stop Mr Trump from addressing parliament, and tabled an early-day motion outlining her concerns.
“I was happy to see Macron here but feel very differently about Trump,” she said.
“Trump has made some very uncomfortable and worrying comments around the UK government, democracy, the Middle East, particularly around equalities and, of course, Ukraine.
“So, I think there are many reasons why, when we’re looking at a state visit, we should be looking at why they’re being afforded that privilege. Because, of course, it is a privilege for somebody to come and address both of the houses.”
But the timing of the visit may mean that any diplomatic sensitivities, or perceptions of a snub, could be avoided.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron addressed parliament during his state visit this month
Lord Ricketts, a former UK ambassador to France, pointed out that parliament isn’t sitting for much of September, and that could help resolve the issue.
In 2017, he wrote a public letter questioning the decision to give Donald Trump his first state visit, saying it put Queen Elizabeth II in a “very difficult position”.
Parliament rises from 16 September until 13 October due to party conferences.
The dates for the state visit haven’t yet been confirmed by Buckingham Palace or the government.
However, they have not denied that it will take place in September, after Mr Trump appeared to confirm they were planning to hold the state visit that month. The palace confirmed this week that the formal planning for his arrival had begun.
Mr Trump has said he believes the trip to the UK will take place in September. Pic: Reuters
When asked about parliamentary recess potentially solving the issue, Ms Osborne said: “It may be a way of dealing with it in a very diplomatic way… I don’t know how much control we have over Trump’s diary.
“But if we can manoeuvre it in a way that means that the House isn’t sitting, then that seems like a good solution, maybe not perfect, because I’d actually like him to know that he’s not welcome.”
A message from the speaker’s office, seen by Sky News, says: “Formal addresses to both Houses of Parliament are not automatically included in the itinerary of such a state visit.
“Whether a foreign head of state addresses parliament, during a state visit or otherwise, is part of the planning decisions.”
Mr Trump made his first state visit to the UK in June 2019 during his first presidency. File pic: Reuters
It’s understood that if the government agrees to a joint address to parliament, the Lord Chamberlain’s office writes to the two speakers, on behalf of the King, to ask them to host this.
It will be Mr Trump’s second state visit.
During his first, in 2019, he didn’t address parliament, despite the fact that his predecessor, Barack Obama, was asked to do so.
It was unclear if this was due to the fact John Bercow, the speaker at the time, made it clear he wasn’t welcome to do so.
However, it didn’t appear to dampen Mr Trump’s excitement about his time with the Royal Family.
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Speaking earlier this year, he described his state visit as “a fest” adding “it’s an honour… I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William; we have really just a great respect for the family. And I think they’re setting a date for September.”
It is expected that, like Mr Macron, the pageantry for his trip this time will revolve around Windsor, with refurbishment taking place at Buckingham Palace.
Fuel to the engines of the Air India plane that crashed last month appears to have cut off shortly after take-off, a preliminary report has found.
According to the report switches in the cockpit that controlled fuel moved to a “CUTOFF” position.
It said: “Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of one second.
“The Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off.”
The crash site. Pic: AAIB
There was then confusion in the cockpit. In the voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he “cut off”. The other pilot responds that he did not do so.
There were no conclusions as to how the switches were moved.
One of the engines was able to be restarted, but could not reverse the plane’s deceleration, the report found.
“At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to Boeing 787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers,” India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said in the report.
A diagram in the report shows how the plane crashed into a building. Pic: AAIB
No significant bird activity was observed in the vicinity of the plane’s flight path, the report said. The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall, it added.
The plane plummeted into a busy area, killing 241 passengers and 19 others on the ground while incinerating everything around it.
The AAIB’s report is based on the initial findings of the probe, marking 30 days since the crash.
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Liverpool have retired the number 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota – the first time it has made such a gesture.
The club said it was a “unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person” and the decision was made in consultation with his wife and family.
The number 20 will be retired at all levels, including the men’s and women’s first teams and academy squads.
A statement said: “It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club’s number 20.”
The club called it a “recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them”.
Jota’s wife joined Liverpool players to view tributes at Anfield on Friday. Pic: Liverpool FC
Pic: Liverpool FC
Newly-married Jota died alongside his brother when his Lamborghini crashed in northern Spain on 3 July.
Police said this week that all the evidence so far suggests Jota was the one driving the vehicle.
Liverpool teammates joined members of Jota’s family, including his wife Rute, at a huge memorial site outside Anfield on Friday.
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A fan looks at messages on a memorial wall near Anfield. Pic: Reuters
Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson were among players at the funeral. Pic: Reuters
The star’s funeral took place last weekend, with Liverpool colleagues and members of the Portuguese national team in attendance.
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk carried a shirt bearing the number 20 made from flowers.
Liverpool players returned to the club’s training ground for the start of pre-season on Tuesday.
Their first game since Jota’s death will be on Sunday when they play a friendly away against Preston North End.
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