Another day, another moment for these Lionesses that would have been scarcely imaginable for their forebearers. The back-to-back champions of Europe had won their crown on foreign soil -- the first England senior team ever to achieve such a feat -- and so perhaps could have been forgiven for underestimating the scale of affection for them back home.

By edging out Spain in a penalty shootout in the European championship final, England’s women’s team cemented its position as the standard-bearer for English soccer.