Alessia Russo (centre) celebrates England's winning goal against Colombia. Photo: PA/Isabel Infantes
Sometimes it only takes perseverance for a striker to get back in shape, and no one has ever had reason to blame Alessia Russo for her efforts or her determination. In this case, however, the England forward needed a kick and a lucky rebound to regain the confidence that every high-profile sports star needs.
Russo's role in England's first goal should not be underestimated or ignored. It was England's No. 23 to hit the end of a Lucy Bronze header into goal. It was Russo who caused the panic in the defense that led to the Colombian goalkeeper jumping out of his line and scattering the ball, and it was Russo's instincts that put his foot out and pushed it away from the startled Catalina Pérez in Lauren's path. Hemp to even the score.
After that, Russo became a different player. Twice in the second half, she made brilliant runs to the rear of the defenders, landing one dangerous cross that could easily lead to a goal, and another, combined with nimble skill in tight spaces, led to a corner.
A few minutes later, Rousseau scored the winning goal for England. The striker who had hesitated too long or struck too quickly in this tournament was now deadly. Grabbing onto a well-placed Georgia Stanway pass, she landed a well-controlled but well-aimed shot into the bottom corner.
Alessia Russo scores England's winning goal against Colombia. Photo: Getty Images
The corner favored the Colombian goalkeeper, but Russo's connection was perfect. Her shot was low and wide enough to hit the net. It was everything you could want from a centre-forward in this position in a high-pressure World Cup quarter-final.
“I had a fraction of a second to strike,” Russo explained. “And I knew that I wanted to get past the goalkeeper as fast as possible, and it went.
“I try to work my hardest and sometimes I get lucky. I was glad I took it when it arrived. I was lucky that I was in the right position when he fell, and I buzz as he entered.”
Playing for England is an honor and, of course, a privilege. These things should be taken for granted, but it's always worth reminding yourself of this when you're under scrutiny like Russo.
The Arsenal rookie isn't playing very well. Indeed, Telegraph Sport opined last week that it had forgotten the most important and fundamental part of the center forward's role — coming alive in and around the penalty area. She was the most annoying sight in football: a striker who didn't look capable of scoring.
If we were hard on her, it was mainly because she didn't play well, but also because we knew she was capable and more.
That's what it means to play for your country. This is what is expected. It's the price of wearing a shirt, the baggage that comes with being one of the best in the country. Right or wrong, there will always be criticism if you don't score, there will always be an argument that someone else could have done a better job than you.
Maybe it was just a coincidence that rumors leaked out last week that Bethany England was considering starting against Colombia. Perhaps this was completely intentional. A timely dose of internal competition, and a reminder that no one is safe unless manager Sarina Wigman does what manager wants.
What we do know for sure is that Russo was given special attention in training site in the building. before this World Cup quarter-final. England wanted and needed more. And when it mattered, she was good.
An assist that equalized England in the first half and a goal in the second to ensure the Lionesses reached their fifth successive semi-final in a major tournament.
These are the standards England have set for themselves, these are the expectations that they must always be consistent.
No one likes to be questioned or reproached for inefficiency. Russo handled it with finesse, but the only way you can really answer your critics and silence the debate about whether you're good enough to be an England centre-forward is by scoring goals and assisting. This is what strikers and centre-forwards are judged and judged by. Rousseau did what everyone demanded of her.
Her perseverance paid off, as did the toe kick and the lucky rebound. Sometimes you cheat on your luck, and as England prepare for the semi-final against Australia, no one will doubt that Russo will guarantee a starting place. She deserves credit for that.
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