The celebration was lapped up by some, notably Hillary Clinton: “Congrats to the #USWNT for earning that tea,” the 2016 Presidential candidate tweeted.
It further emboldened Morgan’s status as a national treasure back home in the US. The forward has now bagged six goals this tournament and remains in pole position to win the golden boot alongside England’s Ellen White, who trails Morgan on assists.
There was some debate, however, as to what exactly the celebration referred to.
Some failed to properly identify the tea-sipping taunt, comparing it instead to a drag on a cigarette. British comedian Jack Whitehall was quick to comment in this regard.
Did Morgan milk it?
Morgan’s celebration proved not to be everyone’s cup of tea.
“You can celebrate however you want, but that for me is a bit distasteful,” said English footballer Lianne Sanderson, working as a pundit on beIN Sports. “I’m a big believer in the Americans and how they celebrate but for me this was a little bit disrespectful.”
TV presenter Piers Morgan urged the Lionesses to make the US “choke” on their beverage, prompting others to shoot back with taunts about the shared surname between tweeter and goalscorer.
There were retorts about America’s taste in lager, too.
What’s not in doubt is that Morgan’s toast certainly struck a nerve. And you can bet there were plenty of kettles being boiled in the UK with 11.7 million tuning in to the semifinal clash, according to the BBC — the highest TV audience of 2019.
The USA will face either Netherlands or Sweden in Sunday’s final, while England will meet the loser to contest for third place.
As the World Cup reaches boiling point, there’s still plenty more drama brewing.