It looks to me as if something special is happening in France.
Being honest, I didn’t know what our chances were going into this World Cup.
My prediction at the start was that we would reach the semi-finals. But now even I’m starting to believe. It looks like we are peaking at the right time.
Before kick-off I couldn’t call the match against Norway. I’m not allowed to bet – but even if I was, my money would have been staying in my pocket.
What the Lionesses produced was the best performance I’ve seen from them – in an attacking sense – for many years.
There were options everywhere, plenty of third-man runs and England looked, going forward at least, way too hot for Norway to handle. They just didn’t have any answers.
In the build-up our opponents suggested that Phil Neville’s team don’t like running. Well, England out-ran them in Le Havre. The drama of that extra-time and penalties against Australia looked to me like it had taken its toll on Norway.
Nikita Parris, Lucy Bronze and Jill Scott linked up particularly well and Ellen White is having the tournament of her life. That early goal sucked the energy from them and they had no answers.
I still think we have issues at the back. Steph Houghton and Karen Bardsley have been excellent but there was a sticky spell of around ten minutes when the skipper needed to intervene twice to prevent near-certain goals.
Towards the end Millie Bright looked dead on her feet, but I would be mightily surprised if she missed out on a semi-final spot.
Of course, I’m writing these words before the outcome of the match between France and the United States is known.
I would rather face the French. I think the current World Cup holders are stronger. The hosts have not been that impressive.
They needed a twice-taken penalty to see off Nigeria and finished off Brazil in extra-time. That was a match which could have gone either way.
But if it is the States, so be it. They do have a winning mindset. I’ve done a lot of work with Hope Solo during this World Cup and the thought of defeat doesn’t even enter their thinking.
Having said that, England will have the knowledge that they traded blows with the US at the SheBelieves Cup and that will act as a huge confidence boost.
Either way, my biggest hope is that the game goes to extra-time. The additional day’s rest could prove crucial if it is tight on Tuesday night, whoever we play.
If I’m being more optimistic, you might ask what’s changed from four years ago when we also reached the last four?
I think Phil Neville has greater options on the bench than we had back then. A lot of these players are now benefitting from full-time football and he can switch it around and give opposition teams different problems.
I expect he might fight fire with fire and pick Beth Mead on Tuesday, just to keep our opponents on the back foot. No full-back will venture too far forward with the pace that Beth and Nikita Parris have.
It all adds up to a special opportunity for the girls in Lyon. And do you know what? I think they’ve got a chance. I really do.
