Manchester United and England striker Alessia Russo believes the Lionesses' penalty shootout victory over Brazil is "great preparation" for the upcoming Women's World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman's side got off to an impressive start in the first ever Women's Finalissima at Wembley on Thursday night, with United midfielder Ella Toone applying the finishing touch to a sweeping move to fire England ahead inside 23 minutes. Lauren James thought she had doubled the hosts' advantage before the break but her smart finish was chalked off for offside.
A much-improved second-half display from Brazil saw England concede a flurry of chances before an uncharacteristic error from Mary Earps allowed Andressa Alves to restore parity in stoppage time. Earps atoned for her mistake in the shootout, saving from Tamires and affording Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly with the chance to make herself the hero with the decisive spot-kick.
Kelly made no mistake, rifling the ball home to clinch yet another piece of silverware for England and make it 30 games unbeaten under Wiegman. And Russo believes the experience of a penalty shootout will stand the Lionesses in good stead heading into the summer.
"It’s great preparation because we could be in those situations in nearly every game coming up so it’s tough," she said after the game. "That’s what you live for - those pressure moments - and people stepped up and we got the win.
"It was lovely to be back at Wembley in front of all of our fans and obviously get another trophy. We’ve still got lots to build on but a positive night.
"They’re a top side and we knew that they could pose that threat and there’s lots we’ll take from that second half. I thought we started well, the goal was great and in the end we did enough."
Reflecting on her own display, Russo added: "I always want to play as much as I can for England. The competition is so high so I always want to go out there and bring as much to the team as I can.
"As a striker you obviously want to score and create but sometimes there’s different roles you have to play so it was a positive night so I’m looking forward to the next one."
England won't have to wait long for another opportunity to showcase their World Cup credentials, with the Lionesses set to take on Australia at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium next Tuesday (April 11). The Matildas - who are co-hosting this summer's showpiece event alongside New Zealand - are in impressive form going into the clash and Russo believes they will offer another stern test for Wiegman's side.
"They’re another top side with lots top players and a real threat going forward," she said. "We’ll reflect and learn from this game and recover and get ready for that one."
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