They put up a valiant effort throughout the tournament, but unfortunately the England squad was defeated during the final Euro 2020 game on Sunday night, with Italy coming out on top.
After the match, football fans were lamenting the result, while also expressing their pride and admiration for the England squad for lasting as long as they did in the Euros this time around.
This included a number of positive messages for the team from celebrity supporters on social media, too.
Following the result, Adele posted a rare picture of herself in an England strip, telling the players that while the result didn’t fall in their favour, they “brought our game home and brought us all together”.
Ant and Dec also joked: “Don’t worry about coming up slightly short, we’ve done it for years!
“Thanks for giving us all something to believe in after such a dark time. You have all been inspirational.”
Thank you @England
Don’t worry about coming up slightly short, we’ve done it for years!Thanks for giving us all something to believe in after such a dark time.
You have all been inspirational.
The future is bright…— antanddec (@antanddec) July 11, 2021
Celebrity chef and all-round national treasure Nigella Lawson tweeted: “Thank you Gareth, thank you lads. You made us proud.”
Congratulations Italy. And thank you Gareth, thank you lads. You made us proud
— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) July 11, 2021
Award-winning British musicians Dua Lipa and Dave both had messages of support for the squad on their Instagram stories.
Meanwhile, UK stars like Orlando Bloom, Holly Willoughby and Giggs all praised the team in tweets and Instagram posts:
Thank you @England#eng#EnglandvsItaly#England#EURO2020#Euro2020Finalpic.twitter.com/yY1W8bF0RV
— Ross Kemp (@RossKemp) July 11, 2021
Oh England. We love you. ♥️
— Susanna Reid (@susannareid100) July 11, 2021
I could cry my eyes out right now; but that’s football. Instead I’ll think about how I was able to take my dad for an early birthday present to a moment in history and celebrating more than ever supporting a team who have been phenomenal both mentally and physically. pic.twitter.com/JVXrmPBSLT
— Roman Kemp (@romankemp) July 11, 2021
Before you tweet/post tonight about any players… just recognise that the lads that failed to score are 23, 21 & 19 years old, yet they STILL have more bravery than we’ll have to step up. The boys have done us so proud, thanks so much for the ride lads. It will be home soon ❤️
— Roman Kemp (@romankemp) July 11, 2021
So proud… thank you for the hope, for bringing the country together, for inspiring our children… this tournament has given me memories to cherish forever… #england 🦁 🦁🦁🏴 https://t.co/stOZW3yCdX
— Holly Willoughby (@hollywills) July 12, 2021
I admire every player who steps up & shows the balls to take a penalty in a game that important. Especially when they’re just 19, 21 & 23. Proud of you @BukayoSaka87@Sanchooo10@MarcusRashford– you missed, and we lost, but you’ve all got guts. pic.twitter.com/YOBP4bmpBd
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 11, 2021
One photo was us 1 up at half time with the boys. The other the tube at 1am with the Italians. Great footballing nation, god bless the Italians. Proud of England 🏴❤️🤍🦁 pic.twitter.com/Ln27XfXNzm
— Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) July 12, 2021
A string of British footballers past and present also weighed in on England’s performance on Saturday night, with Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen among those to speak out in support of the team:
This is not the end for this young. @england side, it’s just the beginning. Congratulations to @azzurri. You deserved it.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) July 11, 2021
Proud 🏴🙌🏾 @Englandpic.twitter.com/LBt4iCbISj
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) July 12, 2021
Firstly, congratulations @azzurri you guys deserved to win – the better team.
This @England team has made us proud like no other team before them has,other than the 66 team.
Thank you for cheering us up.
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be – you will come again 🙏🏽— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 12, 2021
All the boys who put themselves forward to take a pen we are proud of you – takes a form of bravery to step up in such pressurised situations. @BukayoSaka87@Sanchooo10@MarcusRashford we salute you boys
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 12, 2021
Heartbreaking.
But this squad has a bright future and they’ve lifted the nation both on and off the pitch after a shocking year or so. Bring on The @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar. #ThreeLions— michael owen (@themichaelowen) July 11, 2021
Gutted for Gareth & the players 😢 well done to Italy 🇮🇹 another trophy in the bag for them ⚽️ fans in the stadium were superb 🥳 back to practicing penalties again 😩
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) July 11, 2021
UK prime minister Boris Johnson also said: “Gareth Southgate and his squad played like heroes. They have done the nation proud and deserve great credit.”
That was a heartbreaking result to end #Euro2020 but Gareth Southgate and his @England squad played like heroes. They have done the nation proud and deserve great credit 🏴
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 11, 2021
