Fans feel the hurt ...but hold heads high

TO the England faithful, yesterday's pain against Spain was soothed by pride in the Lionesses.

- Cyril Dixon

There was disappointment that the heroics of Mary Earps and Co were not enough to bring the World Cup home.

But the mood among the millions who followed the Sydney showdown back home was one of adulation for Sarina Wiegman's women.

They said the four-week adventure Down Under left a summer of happy memories and a team full of idols for youngsters to look up to.

In the fan zones, where families had crammed in to watch the match on big screens, there were some tears at the final whistle.

But most supporters, dressed in replica kits, departed full of respect for their heroes.

At Wembley's Boxpark, a drinks, food and entertainment hall in North-West London, the crowd included seven women who played in England's first international match against Scotland in 1972.

Trailblazer Jeannie Allott said "it will come home eventually", before joking: "I just hope it comes home before I go up there. Let's hope so. I was one of them that started this and I'm so proud of the girls. The whole of England are."