England's Lionesses receive rapturous reception as they arrive home ahead of Palace reception and victory parade
England's triumphant Lionesses have returned to UK, touching down at Southend Airport after their stunning victory last night.
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The Lionesses successfully defended their European crown with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel, Switzerland.
It's the first time a senior England football team has returned from an overseas tournament with a trophy.
The will head to a reception at Downing Street in the next hour - before an open-top bus parade in London tomorrow.
Outside of the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home.
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The Lionesses beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 following extra time.
Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey and after drawing 1-1 following extra time, an entertaining final ultimately boiled down to penalties.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two brilliant saves in the shootout before Chloe Kelly fired home from the spot to ensure England retained their European title.
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson led the squad out of the private terminal at Southend Airport just before 5pm, carrying the European Championship trophy, to a huge ovation.
The fans welcomed the players with a raucous atmosphere, with drums and chants of "it's coming home" and "we love you England, we do".
Banners and flags dedicated to a number of the players, including Alessia Russo, Williamson, Lucy Bronze and Lauren James, were on display.
The Lionesses were unable to stop and greet fans individually after their flight was delayed by well over an hour.
They swiftly boarded a coach headed for an event at 10 Downing Street later today.
The Lionesses left their team hotel in Zurich on Monday morning with skipper Leah Williamson carefully escorting the trophy to the bus.
After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's aeroplane branded with the word "home" touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon.
Holding the trophy, Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside head coach Sarina Wiegman.
A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.