Former Lioness shares England’s biggest threat and player to avoid in World Cup

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    The Lionesses started their Women's World Cup campaign with three points on the board after a 1-0 victory against Haiti on July 22.

    England Women came out on top thanks to Georgia Stanway who stepped up to take the spot kick in the first half of the match.

    Now with Sarina Weigman's Lionesses preparing for Denmark in their next group stage match, Daily Star Sport spoke to ex-England star Rachel Yankey.

    The 43-year-old will have been chuffed with the results from last weekend, but now she revealed who England must keep an eye on during the tournament.

    READ MORE: 'I'm a Lionesses legend – I thought I was going to give birth during Euros win'

    Speaking to us, through Betway, Yankey said: "I suppose USA's Sophia Smith will be a big threat to any team."

    She added: "I think with years go by we've talked about players like [Megan] Rapinoe and players like that have been America's biggest superstars.

    "I wonder if Smith is the one that will actually make them tick and their [USA] World Cup will depend on what she does."

    USA stunned Vietnam with a 3-0 win as Smith contributed to all their goals, with a brace and an assist in her opening game. And Yankey admitted she was excited to watch the 22-year-old in her World Cup debut.

    She revealed: "I'm looking forward to watching her as a fan and to see what she'll bring and how tricky she is, what kind of player she is.

    "So I think she would be the player to be a threat to be up against."

    But the American isn't the only one Yankey fears the Lionesses could come up against.

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    She also claimed Australia's Sam Kerr would be the best player to share a pitch with right now. Sadly for the striker she was ruled out of her opening match after a calf injury from training.

    The Matildas still managed to win their opener on home soil after Steph Catley converted a penalty in the second half against Ireland.

    There's still doubts as to when Kerr will make her first World Cup appearance this year, but Yankey believes she can bring a lot to their team.

    She revealed: "I think the fact that it's her nation who's co-hosting, there will be a lot of pressure on her to perform. But I think she's the kind of player who seems to thrive off that kind of pressure, it will bring out a different sort of animal.

    "I look forward to see what she can bring and I do think Australia could be ones to look forward to. And as England you don't want to face them, you want to avoid a co-hosting team because of the home support and everything around it."

    England could face Australia in the Round of 16 depending on first and second place positions.

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

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