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England's Alessia Russo warming up prior to kick-off before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Qualifying match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, June 9, 2026
ALESSIA RUSSO says England are “desperate” to reach the 2027 Women’s World Cup after they narrowly missed out on automatic qualification on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Jess Carter, Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead gave the Lionesses a 3-0 victory over Ukraine at the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, which helped them finish with five wins from six group games, but they will have to go through the play-offs to secure a place at next year’s tournament in Brazil.
England were top of Group A3 heading into the final two qualification matches, but their 4-0 defeat to Spain last week ultimately cost them.
Russo admits the side felt “deflated” after the Spain loss, however, she was happy to see Sarina Wiegman’s team bounce back in the style.
The Arsenal striker said: “It’s tough. We all know that we didn’t play well enough against Spain. We know the performance was below our standards, so I think that was disappointing.
“We also wanted to qualify automatically for the World Cup, but now we’re going to the play-offs, and that’s tough, but it’s football.
“We had the toughest group playing Spain. I think we’ve won five out of six games and still not gone through.
“It’s difficult, but as football, and we move, and we go into the play-offs, and we’ll do everything we can to qualify.
“I know we’re desperate to go to the World Cup, and we’ll do everything we can.”
England could have had more than the three goals to show for their complete dominance on Tuesday.
It was not for the want of trying though, Wiegman’s side had 26 shots but were made to work against a spirited Ukraine team.
Russo, who has scored 30 international goals, knows the Lionesses could have been more lethal in front of goal.
“I think we could have been a lot more ruthless, included myself, and put more away,” she added.
“Ultimately, we won, we bounced back. It’s been a tough week and now everyone gets to switch off and have a real reset over the summer.
“I think I should have done better with a couple of chances, but just happy to win and finish our season on a high.”
