Alessia Russo on England's 'surreal' Euro 2022 victory and her 'one-time surprise' purpose

"We simply need to see extra folks fall in love with the sport and settle for that ladies's soccer is superb. The USA set the bar, however the groups are catching up now and it is actually thrilling."

The house benefit meant England was among the many favorites to win Euro 2022 properly earlier than a ball had been kicked, and the expectations solely grew after a thumping 8-0 win in opposition to Norway within the group levels.

"I believe the media put stress on us as quickly as they discovered it was a house match," says Russo, "however there's by no means been any stress internally.

"We had been actually good at retaining the bubble very a lot closed and really a lot centered on the video games ... From day one, we needed to win the match, however on the similar time, we realized that we needed to shut out the entire exterior world.

"We did not even understand how loopy it was going to be, and it is turned out to be 10 instances crazier than all of us thought ... We simply had been so centered on coaching and having fun with one another's firm, switching off after which going once more."

What additionally helped, Russo says, was the affect of supervisor Sarina Wiegman, who has but to lose a recreation with England, nor on the Girls's Euros having additionally led Netherlands to victory in 2017.

"I believe all of us love taking part in underneath her," says Russo. "She has like an actual calmness about her. She's very relaxed and off the pitch and even on the sidelines. She does not actually get too heated or too within the second -- she's very level-headed."

The 23-year-old Russo has largely been used instead all through her England profession and was introduced off the bench in all six of the Lionesses' Euro 2022 video games.

"I do not assume I am going to ever rating a purpose like that once more," says Russo. "I believe it was only a one-time surprise, however I am going to take."

"I noticed my previous membership that I grew up taking part in with -- they had been all training at coaching, which was good," Russo provides.

"And if it is a purpose or no matter, it is good to see that ladies's soccer's leaving a mark on the world and on younger girls and boys. If it is impressed one particular person to exit and play soccer, I am going to take it."

Watch the purpose again -- and the wild celebrations that adopted -- and it is laborious to not be impressed by Russo and the Lionesses.

The way forward for girls's soccer in England seems to be vibrant, however earlier than Russo can start to ponder what it would maintain, she has extra rapid priorities.

"There's undoubtedly a vacation arising," she says. "It has been a tremendous few months, however I am very exhausted and wish just a little break."