Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has delivered his reaction as the England Women reached the World Cup Final earlier today. The Lionesses defeated hosts Australia 3-1 to set up a clash with Spain on Sunday.
It was a breathtaking contest that produced a truly superb advert for the female game. The Lionesses have created history by reaching the World Cup Final for the very first time.
This was the moment when England truly believed they could win the World Cup. They never froze despite being on the grandest stage and even when Sam Kerr equalised in the second-half, there was only ever one winner of this clash.
England held a half-time lead during the game in Sydney. Ella Toone, deputising for the suspended Lauren James, scored a remarkable goal that sailed into the roof of the net.
Kerr did restore parity with a thunderbolt that sailed beyond Mary Earps in the England goal. However, the lead didn’t last long when a pinpoint pass from Millie Bright saw Lauren Hemp on hand to put the Lionesses into the lead again.
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Russo put the cap on a fine victory with a third goal four minutes from time; with Worksop-born Forest goalkeeper in 2001 Darren Ward enjoying a celebratory hud with Wiegman on the touchline.
Cooper won the World Cup with England at Under-17 level and after the Lionesses’ reached the final he told Sky Sports: “Yeah, it was amazing. Obviously, we were training this morning but we saw the back end of it and it’s some achievement already.
“All of the work done at St George’s Park over the last five years, this is what it’s all for. It’s all to try and do well in tournaments and it’s an amazing achievement. All the very best to them.”
Cooper delivers reaction to victory for the Lionesses
This was a nice touch by Cooper. He was quizzed on the huge morning of football ahead of Forest taking on Sheffield United on Friday night at the City Ground.
The Reds’ head coach knows what it takes to win at World Cup. He won that as his final act with the under-17s before entering senior management with Swansea City.
Now, he will surely get the chance to watch the Lionesses when they take on Spain on Sunday. Forest won’t be in action until the following Saturday and it could be a day off for the Reds.
The whole country will be hoping that Wiegman can emulate Cooper and bring the trophy back to England.