17 August 2023 , 19:52
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Laura Woods has lavished praise on the Lionesses ahead of the Women's World Cup final - but doesn't want them compared to their male counterparts.
Sunday represents a date with destiny for Sarina Wiegman's side when they take on Spain, with both sides looking to win the tournament for the first time in their history. And it would complete an historic double for England, after they triumphed in the European Championships on home soil last summer.
After a slow start, the 3-1 semi-final win over hosts Australia captured the imagination of the nation, with millions of viewers tuning in. Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, and Alessia Russo proved enough for the Lionesses in Sydney, who now have the luxury of Lauren James being back available after suspension.
And Woods, who has fronted ITV's coverage of the tournament, was clearly exhilarated, tweeting "Russo!!!!! Ahhh I love this team," after the third goal went in. She's now urged fans to get behind England when they return to Stadium Australia on Sunday, and asked for them to be judged on their own achievements.
"I've always disliked the comparison with the men's game," she wrote in the . "When I was growing up I loved Sally Gunnell. Nobody said she didn't jump hurdles higher than Colin Jackson.
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"You don't watch Keely Hodgkinson and compare her to Sebastian Coe. You just enjoy them for what they are and what they are achieving. And the interest in our Lionesses is exploding!"
Indeed, Gary Lineker, Liam Gallagher, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were among those to tweet their congratulations to Wiegman and co after the win over the Matildas. And Woods also celebrated the fact that the players were being viewed as heroes back home.
England celebrate their third goal against AustraliaHAVE YOUR SAY! What's your score prediction for Sunday's World Cup final? Comment below.
"I have taken great heart at how they are not just being accepted across the country, they are being idolised," she added. "Now people are talking about what these Lionesses can do, rather than what they can't."
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FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has now hinted at an unprecedented move, strongly implying Wiegman would be in contention to replace Gareth Southgate when his contract expires in 2025: “Sarina’s doing the Lionesses. She’s doing a brilliant job," he said.
“I’m really happy with the job she’s doing and I hope she stays doing that for a long time. If at some point in the future she decides she wants to move into the men’s game, that would be a really interesting discussion. But that’s for her, right?”