Alessia Russo ‘loving playing football’ amid dream Euro 2022 run

On her role as an impact substitute, Russo added: “I’ll take any time I get to play for England. It’s been amazing and I’m loving playing for the Three Lions and with everyone else.

“I think if that’s the role I’ll take it for sure. Whenever my chance is there I’ll take it.”

England boss Sarina Wiegman labelled Russo’s goal “phenomenal”, while winger Beth Mead – scorer of the opener in Sheffield – revealed the players had been calling it “very naughty”.

“Alessia’s an unbelievable player,” Mead said.

“She’s worked so hard and we’re not surprised she has scored those type of goals. She does it in training, and we’ve been saying it’s a very naughty goal, megsing the keeper with a back-heel. I don’t think it gets better than that in a semi-final.”

Mead went into the contest already leading the race for the Golden Boot and her strike in the 34th minute took her to six goals for the tournament.

The Arsenal star has equalled the record goal tally for a player at a single edition of the competition, level with Germany’s Inka Grings’ haul from 2009.

Asked about that, Mead said: “It’s a little bit surreal for me, but it’s not something I’ve really thought about too much.

“I’m happy to be scoring goals and (providing) assists and helping the team. I’m just more happy about us being in the final and winning with the team.”

Mead, who last summer missed out on selection for the Great Britain squad for the Tokyo Olympics, has now scored 20 England goals since Wiegman took charge last September.

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She added of her goal-scoring: “I think a lot of people have said to me I needed to start believing in myself a little bit more and I am trying to do that – I think it’s easier said than done.

“But I know my ability as a player, in the past I’ve played as a nine, so I knew I could score goals, and I’m just happy to be in the right place at the right time sometimes at the moment. The girls are playing amazing and making it easy for me.”

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