Nikita Parris says England will show United States they are THE bad-ass women of this World Cup.
Parris says the Lionesses are ready to go toe to toe with the USA in tonight’s semi-final in Lyon.
And the Toxteth Terrier was firmly on the front foot on the eve of the showdown, reacting angrily to suggestions that Phil Neville’s side aren’t as ruthless as their opponents.
She said: “Why shouldn’t we think we can’t be badder than them? We went to the SheBelieves and won it.
“And we went toe-to-toe with them. You know. We beat America in the past. We beat them 1-0 under Mark (Sampson).
“Why shouldn’t we think we can beat them. Why do we have to come to this tournament and think, ‘Oh, America’?
At a training camp last year Arsenal ’s Leah Williamson told Neville this England team wanted be known as the bad-ass women of world football.
But holders America can certainly lay claim to the title having dispatched every opponent that has stood in their way – including hosts France.
Parris, however, was having none of it.
She said: “Nobody fears America. Nobody fears Germany. Nobody fears England. Each of us know, on the day, no matter who you are, if you perform and get the best out of each and every player that you’ll win the game.
“I don’t fear America – and I don’t think my team-mates do. We played them in the SheBelieves. We went right up against them.”
When quizzed again about America’s approach to this World Cup – they slammed Thailand 13-0 in the opening fixture, Parris wasn’t about to let it go.
She added: ‘No disrespect to Thailand but that was 13-0 - against Thailand.
“Come on, I don’t want to disrespect any team you know but hey, yes, they did show their ruthless side at times.
“Thailand struggled against them. Don’t get me wrong. But we’re not Thailand.
“We’ll find out tomorrow how far we have progressed as a team, how far we have come.”
Asked if she had dared to dream about lifting the World Cup, Parris added: “Yes, of course. What’s the point of coming here if you haven’t dreamed about it?”
