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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Alessia Russo confident Lionesses can secure Women’s World Cup ‘dream’ with final win over Spain

Alessia Russo insists England are ready to go all the way and secure Women’s World Cup glory, but warned Spain will provide their toughest test yet.

The Lionesses secured their place in the final for the first time with a 3-1 win over hosts Australia, delivering under huge pressure in front of a partisan Stadium Australia crowd.

Ella Toone put England in front with a brilliant finish in the first-half, and while Sam Kerr equalised with a stunning strike from distance after the break, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo restored the lead and put the match to bed.

England won the European Championship on home soil last summer and now get the chance to secure football’s ultimate prize when they take on Spain, who they beat in extra-time in the Euros quarter-finals, in Sunday’s showpiece occasion.

“Yes, why not,” Russo told BBC One when asked if the Lionesses can win the World Cup.

“Spain are going to be even tougher [than Australia]. Every game in this tournament has been of the highest level so we have to be ready. But we’ve been dreaming since we were little girls. We’re excited, we’ll recover and be ready.”

Lucy Bronze was involved in the England sides that lost World Cup semi-finals in 2015 and 2019, and the Lionesses right-back was relieved to finally get over that last-four hurdle.

“The one thing I’ve always wanted, to make the final of the World Cup,” Bronze said. “After two times of such disappointment, I can’t believe it.

“We all dreamed of being in the final, all our family and friends have boked to stay here until then because they all believed in us. It’s been amazing to play against Australia, in Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had, but just so happy to get to the final.”

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