England men's captain Wayne Rooney has congratulated the women's team after they made it to the World Cup semi-finals on Saturday night.
Rooney and his international team-mates were a damp squib in Brazil last year, with the team failing to make it out of the group stages after defeats to Italy and Uruguay and a draw against Costa Rica.
The women began their campaign with a loss to France but have not looked back since, beating Mexico, Colombia, Norway and hosts Canada to become the first English team to make a World Cup semi-final since 1990.
And Rooney, a veteran of three World Cup campaigns, was among the first to congratulate the Lionesses following their 2-1 win against Canada in the early hours of Sunday morning,
"England women doing the country proud. Huge congratulations on reaching the semi finals," he wrote on Twitter.
Faye White captained England in two World Cups in 2007 and 2011, with both tournaments resulting in quarter-final exits, and she believes making the last four is a huge achievement.
"Every tournament that we played in it was always about trying to perform, trying to do our best to change people's perceptions but also to get the recognition which the performances have deserved," she told Sky Sports News.
"It has been a massive ride, the Olympics - everyone getting behind all sports on that occasion - but now in this World Cup, to get into a semi-final...it is a big achievement.
"We've gradually been rising to compete with the best teams in the world over the last few years but now we're actually doing it on the stages and in those games that count."
Men and women from all sports also took to Twitter to acknowledge the achievement:
"Just caught up on the news about the @england women. Great result. Now onto the semi-final on Wednesday! Congrats and Good Luck! #Lionesses" - England and Manchester United defender Phil Jones.
"So proud of #ENG women getting to the WWCSF! Absolutely brilliant! #Lionesses" - Former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright.
"Woke up to an awesome result for @england #Lionesses over Canada!! Well done ladies!!!" - Former England striker Dean Ashton.
"Just amazing....congratulations @CaseyStoney and the #lionesses. Belief in buckets with skills to match #godothis #semifinals" - England hockey international Alex Danson.
"Go to sleep wake up & my 2 buddies @laurabassett6 & @karenjcarney only gone & got themselves into a World Cup semi final.Cheeky. #Lionesses" - Former Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton.
"Big shout out to @england #Lionesses for getting to the semi of #FIFAWWC. Fantastic news." - Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes.
"Well done @england women, great win yesterday looking forward to the semi." - England Rugby World Cup winner Lewis Moody.
Source: PA
