England fans calls to rename street by Wembley Stadium if Lionesses win historic World Cup final
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ENGLAND fans have called for a street by Wembley stadium to be renamed if the Lionesses win the historic World Cup final.
Final fever exploded today as the mighty women take on Spain in Australia.
The tense and exciting match comes after England beat hosts Australia 3-1 in Wednesday's semi-final thanks to goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
And if the Lionesses bag the win and bring it home for England, the country want a road near Wembley to be renamed in their honour.
It's new name will be "Lionesses Lane".
Twickenham MP Munira Wilson said the tribute would be "small but powerful" for the "most successful English football team".
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Backing calls, she said: "Every visitor to Wembley Stadium should be reminded of the most successful English football team for a generation.
"Lionesses Lane would be a small but powerful tribute to stand the test of time, and cement their legacy at the home of English football.
"The local council should seize the moment and make this happen.
"This team has already inspired young women and girls to take up the sport.
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"I hope this year's Women's Super League is bigger than ever with more games held at the capital's main football grounds.
"We must make the most of this fantastic momentum."
Jubilant England fans turned out in force to cheer on the Lionesses ahead of their clash against Spain this morning.
Thousands of supporters - some holding 'It's coming home' banners - took to the streets around the UK and Australia desperate for England's first World Cup glory since 1966.
Young fans in red and white kits waved their England flags as they beamed with pride, covered in face-paint, while other supporters started boozing early.
Some keen fans were seen fully kitted-out in lion suits in a bid to try and roar the team to victory.
The Lionesses are unchanged from their semi-final win against Australia with Lauren James returning from suspension to make the bench.
Pubs up and down the the UK were also packed as supporters cheered the Lionesses on and the lively atmosphere continues to soar today.
Hundreds of Brits gathering at the Boxpark fan zone in Croydon were spotted slapping on face-paint and dressed head to toe in England flags.
And members of the 1972 Lionesses team were also pictured at Boxpark Wembley to roar on the women aiming to make history.
An audience of up to 15 million back home is expected to watch on the BBC or ITV — with bookies slashing odds that it will be the year’s most viewed sporting event.
Fans will be raising a glass to Sarina Wiegman's inspiring team, wishing them all the luck as they stand on the cusp of history.
The Dutch manager has led England Women to today's World Cup Final a year after seeing her team claim victory at Euro 2022.
She is also the only manager - male or female - to lead two different teams to a World Cup final, having finished as a runner-up with the Netherlands to the USA in 2019.
Now, the countdown is officially on, as Stadium Australia is ready for the 11.am kick-off - and the full 23-woman squad are geared up to play the game of their lives.
There were fears England's player of the tournament so far, Lauren James, would miss the legendary game after being handed a two game suspension.
She was sent off deep into the second half of the Lionesses' clash with Nigeria after she got into a scuffle with Nigeria's Michelle Alozie, electing to stamp on her while she got off the deck herself.
James was handed an extended two game ban, missing the quarter-finals and the semi-finals.
But this means she is now free to play today in the highly-anticipated final against Spain.
'GAME OF OUR LIVES'
And, Captain Millie Bright, 29, has vowed to fans that England will bring everything they've got to lift the World Cup trophy.
The determined centre-back said: "We know how passionate our nation is back home and how much they want us to win.
"But for us, there is a process. We have a game plan to execute. We need to play the game of our lives."
And, she thanked the record number of fans at home preparing to tune in to watch Sarina Wiegman warriors go toe-to-toe with Spain.
"Everyone is fit, everyone is available and we're in a very good place, so we can't wait," said Wiegman ahead of the nail-biting final.
She said previously: "We achieved the final.
"It's unbelievable, it feels like we won [the tournament] which we didn't, we just won this game - in an incredible stadium, an away game, the way we played - it was a hard game, but we found a way to win again.
"I just said to [assistant manager] Arjan, having the chance as a coach or a player to make it to two finals is really special.
"I never take anything for granted, but it's like I'm living in a fairytale or something."
'SO PROUD'
The nation is gripped with World Cup fever and everyone is pulling together to cheer on the team and see them claim glory.
King Charles and Prince William — together with Princess Charlotte — sent the squad best wishes, Stephanie Moore hailed the “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
The King last night gave the team his support in a social media message. It was timed at 10pm so the Lionesses saw it as they woke up in Sydney.
In it, Charles said: “Good luck today and may you roar to victory.”
Everyone is fit, everyone is available and we're in a very good place, so we can't wait."Sarina Wiegman
He signed off the message — alongside an image of a lioness — with his royal cypher, Charles R.
Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 76, are set to watch the game at home on the Balmoral estate.
The Prince of Wales and Princess Charlotte said yesterday: "Lionesses we want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow.
"We're sorry we can't be there in person but we're so proud of everything you've achieved and the millions you've inspired here and around the world.
"So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves."
"Good luck Lionesses," added Princess Charlotte, holding a football in her show of support for the inspiring team.
Meanwhile, England men’s boss Gareth Southgate, captain Harry Kane and ex-skipper David Beckham also sent good luck messages.
And PM Rishi Sunak — set to watch in a pub in his constituency in Richmond, North Yorks — wrote to Dutch coach Sarina and the team praising their “lasting legacy”.
It comes amid a growing clamour for the team and manager to be honoured.
Tory MP for Mid-Derbyshire Pauline Latham said: “They should all be honoured — win or lose. They absolutely deserve it.”
Good luck today and may you roar to victory"
King Charles
Fellow Tory MP Kevin Foster added: “The Lionesses have inspired the whole nation and done us all proud. Well-earned gongs should be swiftly awarded.”
Now, Cabinet Office sources say the whole team and manager are likely to be honoured — if they win.
And Tory MP Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee in Parliament, said: “Win or Lose we should designate the late August bank holiday ‘Lioness Day’.”
England have already beaten Spain once, and we expect them to do the same again.
SunSport's prediction sees the Lionesses roar to victory with a 2-1 win as they go head to head with Jorge Vilda Rodríguez's team.
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England's Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo are all in contention to win the Golden Boot.
Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, Jennifer Hermoso and Alba Redondo are also in the running.