England will face Germany in the final of the Women's Euros this Sunday.
Sarina Wiegman's side thumped Sweden 4-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday night, with Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby all getting on the scoresheet for the Lionesses at Bramall Lane. The Germans have now joined them after beating France 2-1.
Wembley Stadium will play host to the grand finale to the Women's European Championship, which has been played out across England 12 months later than scheduled due to Covid.
The final will now take place on Sunday, July 31 (5pm kick-off) at the home of English football, where a record Women's Euros crowd is expected.
Former international Karen Carney believes a Euro 2022 win for England will elevate the team's players to world-class status. Carney, who won 144 caps for her country, believes deserved recognition has been missing due to a lack of major honours, but if Wiegman's side lift the trophy at Wembley on Sunday a number of the squad can expect to see their profiles rise.
"For a long time I've always felt she has been one of the best centre-backs in Europe," the 34-year-old former Birmingham and Arsenal midfielder told the PA news agency about Lionesses defender Millie Bright.
"But over the next 12 months she could establish herself as being one of the best central defenders in the world and get the recognition perhaps that she hasn't really had.
"I think it is about winning trophies. I played with Kelly Smith for years and years and I still think she is the best player we ever produced. She would have been the stand-out player in this team but she was just a generation too early I think.
"But Kelly didn't get the recognition as she never won a gold medal with her national team and the same for Lucy Bronze, she's had the accolades of best player but what every player needs to get the credibility they want is that illustrious gold medal. I think it [a tournament win] would catapult the whole team but even more so the individuals."
Carney believes the success of this summer's Euros has broken down any remaining barriers in the women's game. Research commissioned by booking.com, the official accommodation booking partner of UEFA Women's Euro 2022, shows more than eight in 10 England fans say the growth of the women's game has made travelling to play professional football in top leagues around the world a realistic career ambition for women and girls.
"When I was growing up the barriers were there that there wasn't as many opportunities for me - or the perception wasn't there - but the tournament offers that," added Carney. "I don't seem to see those barriers any more and that is a credit to broadcasters, sponsors and major investors who are giving it the right look and feel and investment it needs. The tournament has been phenomenal and it has captured a new audience and if the team were to get to the final the barriers would be long gone then.
"But it is not just about young girls, we have to change people's perceptions. We have to try to accommodate every fan and that's what I'm looking forward to. We have to put in the front of their minds to see the women's game as role models for everyone, not just young girls."
