England's Women's World Cup campaign concluded with their best performance in 60 years, securing a bronze medal after a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in the third-place playoff. The team's journey ended in the semi-finals with a 2-1 loss to eventual champions Argentina. As the squad returned home, partners of several players shared their pride and reflections on social media.
Ellie Watkins, wife of Ollie Watkins, posted a series of intimate photos and messages, expressing her unwavering support. "Proud of you always no matter what. Thank you for the memories," she wrote alongside images of the couple at the tournament. Her posts captured cherished moments from their time supporting the team abroad.
Tolami Benson, fiancée of Bukayo Saka, also shared snapshots from the World Cup, highlighting her stylish game-day attire. She captioned her post with a simple but emphatic "England, always."
John Stones' wife, Olivia, shared her pride in her husband's performance, posting affectionate pictures together and stating, "So proud of this wonderful man. No matter the outcome."
Following their semi-final defeat, the team faced scrutiny regarding their performance, particularly their inability to maintain a lead. Head coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the players' disappointment and the competitive nature of the tournament, noting the desire to play in the final rather than the third-place playoff.
"None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match," Tuchel had stated prior to the bronze final. "They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that."
He also reflected on the Argentina loss, describing the team's passivity and lack of physicality as a potential national issue rather than a tactical failing. "In this moment my feeling was no structure in the world could have helped us," he said. "Because actually we were too passive and we were not physical enough, we didn't stop runners arriving in our box and the deliveries were wrong too."
Despite the semi-final heartbreak, England's third-place finish marks their most significant achievement in the World Cup since their victory in 1966. The players' partners have used their social media platforms to celebrate the team's efforts and the memories created throughout the competition.