– She might be able to start. But those who have started the campaigns so far have done very well. We will see in the next few days, said England’s national team manager Sarina Wiegman at the press conference after the 4-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday evening. EARLY OPENING: National team boss Sarina Wiegman has had the same starting line-up in all of England’s five matches, but does not completely rule out that Russo will start in the final Photo: MOLLY DARLINGTON / Reuters Russo’s heel scoring has become the European Championship’s big talk and is going viral on social media. The goal that gave England 3-0 and punctuated the semi-final has completely disappeared. It is also noteworthy that Russo has come on as a substitute in all matches, and yet has scored four goals and one assist in England’s five matches. Therefore, it was not unnatural that the national team manager was asked whether there is a place for the Manchester United player in the starting eleven in the final at Wembley on 31 July, two days before she turns 23. Luxury problem news expert Carl Erik Torp has followed the EC closely, and thinks England has a luxury problem. – Wiegman seems to have locked in a starting line-up, as she has started with the same players in all five matches. But the players on the bench have come in and given England new dimensions, and Russo is probably the one who comes in, who is closest to getting a place from the start, Torp believes. He believes the decision will be based on what match picture Wiegman envisions, and who England will meet in the final. – Russo has slightly different skills than Ellen White (whom Russo has come in for in all the matches). White is good at ripping and toiling in the opponents’ defence. But I don’t think England would have been worse off with Russo from the start, says Torp. Instinct goal – She has come in and made a clear mark on the campaign, showing enormous courage and strong will. So also in the semi-final, with his phenomenal and surprising goal that made it 3-0, Wiegman said of the player who had been on the pitch for ten minutes when she scored. GOING VIRAL: Russo’s heel kick and 3-0 score has become a megahit on social media. Russo himself is rather modest about the score everyone is talking about. – I didn’t get a hold of the first shot, which the goalkeeper knocked out again. I was first on the ball, but had my back to the goal and didn’t have time to turn around. It was probably instinct that made me heel kick the ball towards the goal, she told news. – I have never scored a similar goal before, she adds. Instinct delivered an inner ten. The heel kick outmaneuvered two Swedish defenders, and the ball went between the legs of a completely disabled Hedvig Lindahl in the goal. – Dirt boring – Dirt boring, said Lindahl afterwards. – But it would have been the same regardless of whether it was a heel kick, a header or a shot, she added. Alessia Russo will not answer directly to news’s question whether she now hopes to start in the final. – We have an incredibly strong team that has done well so far. I accept the role I am assigned. Everyone who has started has done their job very well. – But you want to get started? – I take the chances I get. I don’t care if it’s from the start or from the bench. I’m just glad I get to take part in this. Even for Russo himself, the heel kick can be worth its weight in gold. She has one year left on her contract with Manchester United, but just before the WC said no to a contract extension. Maybe there will be new and better offers from both United and other clubs after the display in Sheffield on Tuesday.
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