Alessia Russo has admitted that she is “buzzing” after scoring twice as England defeated Northern Ireland 5-0 to remain unbeaten at 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro.
A tense first-half at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, last night (15 July) saw England frustrated by a stubborn Irish defence, until Fran Kirby and Beth Mead broke the deadlock shortly before half-time.
Russo came on as a half-time substitute and proceeded to score a brace in the space of five minutes early in the second-half, before Kelsie Burrows’ own goal wrapped up another dominant win as England topped Group A with three wins from three matches.
Northern Ireland meanwhile had already been eliminated and finished bottom of the group with zero points.
“I enjoy every game in an England shirt, to come on and score is great, I’m buzzing to get the three points and move onto the next stage of the tournament,” commented Russo post-match as she and her team now prepare for a huge Quarter-Final clash on Wednesday 20 July (8pm BST).
Russo however was grounded in her reaction to her two goals as she first nodded in from Beth Mead’s 48th minute cross, followed by a low strike on the turn from Manchester United teammate – Ella Toone’s pass five minutes later.
Explaining how she managed to produce both goals, Russo simply put it down to positioning and timing as she said: “I luckily got in the right place at the right time and was able to put them in the back of the net.”
There are now calls for her to start the Quarter-Final ahead of first-choice striker, Ellen White, yet Russo insisted that she just needs patience, as she added: “Obviously I want to play every game for England, but I’ve just got to be patient.”
Russo also praised her teammates for their determination throughout the match against a defensively difficult team, who they’ve now beaten 14-0 on aggregate across three meetings in all competitions within the last nine months.
Acknowledging how well her England teammates had handled the dead rubber clash, Russo said: “The girls did brilliant first-half and second, it took a while to break them down but we knew that they were going to put a block on and sit deep but we broke them down and got the two goals leading into half time.”
England will host either Denmark or Spain in the opening Quarter-Final depending on the outcome of their final Group B match tonight (16 July).
Only a victory would see Denmark qualify as Group B runner-up and set up a last eight tie against Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses, whilst a win or draw for Spain would see them through and set up a blockbuster Quarter-Final between the two bookies’ favourites for the title.
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