Alessia Russo appears to break down in tears at airport as Lionesses fly home

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    Heartbroken England star Alessia Russo was seen wiping tears from her face as the Lionesses waited at Sydney Airport to fly home.

    Russo could only watch on as her team-mates failed to find an answer to Spain captain Olga Carmona's first-half winner in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday (August 20), having been substituted at the break by Sarina Wiegman.

    That frustration was still visibly raw less than 24 hours on, with Russo cutting an emotional figure in the departures lounge. The striker appeared to have been crying as she desolately placed her head in her hands.

    The squad as a whole looked tired after their six-week stay in Australia had ended with heartbreak. Alex Greenwood, meanwhile, was sporting a bruised right eye after her nasty collision in the final with Spain striker Salma Paralluelo.

    READ MORE: Alex Greenwood's face swollen and beaten up as Lionesses fly home from final

    Wiegman's decision to haul Russo off in a double change which also saw Rachel Daly make way with Lauren James and Chloe Kelly replacing them proved a controversial one given they were in need of a goal.

    She was the Lionesses' joint-top scorer during the tournament with three strikes, including one in the quarter-final against Colombia and one in the semi against Australia.

    Do you think subbing off Russo was a mistake? Let us know in the comments section.

    But Dutch manager Wiegman insisted she had "no regrets" post-match, telling reporters: “I have no regrets. I think we gave everything. The players gave everything.

    "We tried different tactics. I also have to give credit to Spain. I think they were the team over the whole tournament who played the best football.”

    Russo had been able to smile at the after party attended by England's squad, staff and their families and friends on Sunday night.

    She posed alongside her footballer brother Giorgio, who uploaded snaps to Instagram, as well as the rest of her family.

    Her dad Mario – who is Met Police FC's record scorer – and mum Carol, as well as other brother Luca, had all headed Down Under to lend their support.

    • Women’s World Cup
    • England women’s football team

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