Osaka, who has also been an outspoken voice for Black Lives Matter, was not the only athlete to show support for the England players, who received a barrage of racist abuse on social media after their penalty misses.

The football community has also shown their support for the trio. A number of their fellow England players – including captain Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Henderson – posted messages of support and unity, while the English FA condemned the racists.

Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland expressed his disbelief.

“I don‘t understand why there is still room for racism and discrimination,” the Norwegian wrote on Twitter. “We will never tire of fighting against any form of discrimination. Instead of being applauded for having the courage to take the penalties, these young men are attacked with racist insults. I am speechless.”

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand praised the trio. “All the boys who put themselves forward to take a pen we are proud of you – takes a form of bravery to step up in such pressurised situations,” he wrote on Twitter.

Ferdinand mentioned the trio before signing off, “We salute you boys”, while his former England international teammate Steven Gerrard showed his support by posting a photo of Saka on Instagram with the caption “So brave, kid”.

Rashford’s club Manchester United posted their support online.

“One kick won’t define you as a player or person, Marcus. Remember that,” they wrote. “We look forward to welcoming you home.”

Fellow English Premier League side Arsenal, the club of Saka, also posted. “Football can be so cruel. But for your personality. For your character. For your bravery …” they wrote on Twitter. “We’ll always be proud of you. And we can’t wait to have you back with us,” they said to the 19-year-old.

England’s celebrity fans were among those to show their support after the defeat, including Liam Gallagher.

“Love saka, wrote the former Oasis frontman in one tweet. “It’s all good Bruv I love you kid we go and smash the World Cup,” he wrote in a follow-up.

“Gutted about the footy but gotta BIG UP the lads and Gareth Southgate and the fans that was something else we go again on the World Cup peace n love and most of all RESPECT,” Gallagher ended a series of post-final tweets.

KSI, the YouTuber and sometime celebrity boxer, posted of his pride at the Three Lions.

“So proud of the England players. This isn’t the time to bring them down. This isn’t the time to be racist or single anyone out. England did so well in this tournament and I’m really looking forward to how they do in the World Cup.

After the racist abuse of the players was condemned by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and home secretary Priti Patel, who were both critical of England players taking the knee before matches, England player Tyrone Mings was among those to accuse the government of hypocrisy.

“You don’t get to stoke the fire at the beginning of the tournament by labelling our anti-racism message as ‘Gesture Politics’ & then pretend to be disgusted when the very thing we’re campaigning against, happens,” the defender wrote in response to Patel.

Aside from online abuse, a mural of Rashford in his native Manchester was defaced before members of the public covered the vandalism with messages of support.