England legend in tears after Lionesses reach first ever World Cup final
Ellen White knows sporting emotion of the highest order, having lifted the Euro 2022 trophy last summer and fought back the tears again as England made the World Cup final.
England legend White was in the BBC studio and watched her former teammates claim an historic berth in the Women's World Cup final following a 3-1 semi-final victory over Australia.
Ella Toone fired England into the lead with a wicked first-half strike after clever combination play with Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo. But the co-hosts looked destined for a fairy tale as star striker Sam Kerr, starting her first match of the tournament due to injury, clawed Australia back into the fold with a sublime strike from range.
The goal was one of singular quality, but despite two arguably easier chances falling to the striker to send the Matildas through to a first-ever World Cup final, Tony Gustavsson's side were left ruing the spurned chances as goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo claimed victory for England.
After falling short at the semi-final hurdle three times previously, the Lionesses eclipsed their track record on Wednesday and will face Spain in a first-ever World Cup final match on foreign soil for any England senior side, men's or women's.
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And White admitted as the final whistle blew that she was overwhelmed by the team's triumph.
White admitted her emotions at the final whistle"I have tears in my eyes," White, operating as a pundit for the match, said on BBCOne. "I feel emotional. What this team has done and legacy they have created. To finally say we are in a World Cup final is incredible."
England's record goalscorer was able to take in three high-quality England goals across the semi-final contest, an experience that has not been as consistent throughout the tournament with the Lionesses struggling to find the back of the net in open play without Lauren James, who was forced to finish off her two-match ban during Tuesday's match.
Replacing White has been a major talking point in the lead-up to the summer's showpiece event, as Rachel Daly and Alessia Russo battled it out for the No. 9 berth.
Russo was given the nod by manager Sarina Wiegman, but doubts have persisted throughout the tournament of the Arsenal forward's ability to handle the pressures and demands of the role.
Nevertheless, White was full of praise for the 24-year-old, who has looked a far larger threat playing alongside Hemp up top and doggedly harrying opposition backlines.
"She's in her own now," White said of Russo post-match. "She's taken the No 9 role. There's a lot of pressure that comes with being England's No 9, it's more than just scoring goals but she's taken the responsibility with both hands."
England will face Spain in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.
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