Lucy Bronze makes her third straight World Cup semi-final with England — it's time to get over the final hurdle. Photo: Sajjad Imanian/DeFody Images via Getty Images
Millie Bright was trying to end her interview when she briefly answered a question trying to compare England's accomplishments to the US women's team. «We don't compare ourselves to any other nation,» the Liones captain said before being carried off to the sanctuary of the dressing room.
But, like it or not, England's remarkable stability in major tournaments speaks volumes. that they are the closest European countries we have seen to the traditional flag bearers and leaders in women's football.
England's record is unmatched in that country's football history, having reached the semi-finals or higher of every major tournament since 2015.
They were the first European country to finish in the top four in three consecutive World Cups, and they certainly , are the reigning European champions after last year's golden summer, culminating in a victory over Germany at Wembley.
The Germans were once the leading force in Europe, winning consecutive World Cups in 2003 and 2007, as well as six European titles in a row from 1995 to 2013, but it was the US that dominated world football for the longest period of time. p>
Until they were knocked out by Sweden in the 1/8 finals at this tournament, the Americans have never missed an opportunity to reach at least the semi-finals of the World Championship since its inception back in 1991.
Lucy Bronze scored in the 2015 quarter-final against Canada to advance to her first of three consecutive semi-finals. Photo: Darryl Dyke/The Canadian Press via AP
It's England showing that kind of consistency right now and beating Australia in Wednesday's semi-finals will take them into the uncharted territory of a World Cup final.
«Every England player who has always worn a shirt has been a part of it»— said the Bronze, who has competed in every tournament in England. “We are the only team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup three times in a row in a minute, which certainly benefits us.
“We know what we have to face in the next game [against Australia]. It will be another daring story that we look forward to.”
England still has a lot of work to do to replicate the stunning American and German winning machines of yesteryear. They have only won one major tournament, the European Championship last year, and have lost three of their four semi-final bouts.
But there is no doubt that they have become one of the most revered and intimidating countries in the women's game. Even when they didn't play at their best and lost three of their best players to injuries — Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson — and a suspended Lauren James, they found a way to beat everyone who stood in front of them in this tournament. World Cup.
They have their own aura: they impose their will on opposing teams, they are physically strong and tactically astute. They are not always pleasing to the eye, but they crush teams and can win by playing in many ways.
They have also only lost once — to Australia in a friendly earlier this year — since Sarina Wigman was named manager back in November 2021. That one loss in 37 games is a record unmatched by any international manager of this generation.
The bronze player has been defeated twice in the last four matches. Photo: Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
However, it is Australia that stands on the way to the first exit in the final of the World Cup and the chance to become the best team on the planet. It will be difficult and almost certainly stressful, but the Matildas have already lost in their home tournament — Nigeria in the group stage — and England have won five out of five matches.
«It reminds me a lot of 2015 — a must fight every game, win 2-1 throughout the tournament or win 1-0,” said the Bronze, who once again became an integral part of England's stubborn refusal to lose in the Lower Underground.
“Reminds me of our fights. I think the difference with this team is that we've won trophies, we've won tournaments, so we know what to do. We knew it wouldn't be easy for us ahead of the tournament.
«There's been a lot of noise from the outside about whether England can handle everything that's been thrown at us so far and the semi-final is what's expected of us like England.”
England has reached its level for a major tournament. They lived up to minimal expectations, but Bronze and her teammates never shied away from that kind of pressure.
“If we hadn't made it to the semi-finals, I'd say we would have lost. she confessed with her usual frankness. “Many people said that the England team was in danger of a small failure.
“Of course, our performances were not the best, but the results were. We have the semi-finals that this England team is famous for.”
Australia, who made it to the Final Four for the first time at the World Cup, are ahead of them in a sold-out guerrilla crowd at Sydney's Olympic Stadium. History awaits the Lionesses. It is their right to write.
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