Alessia Russo is leaning on the advice shared by ex-England captain and “heartthrob” David Beckham as the Lionesses prepare for their World Cup quarter-final.
The 24-year-old won England’s starting centre-forward role over Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly, and opened her account four minutes into England’s 6-1 win over China to conclude the group stage.
Russo is now hoping to extend her maiden World Cup campaign with a win over Colombia in Saturday’s last-eight clash in Sydney, with the former Manchester United great’s pre-tournament words of wisdom still ringing in her ears.
She said: “It was amazing actually. He has been one of my idols – and heartthrobs – ever since I was a little girl.
“It is one of my biggest highlights off the pitch to sit and have a normal conversation with someone who you would watch on the world stage when you were a young girl.
“It was amazing. He was really nice. It was a pinch-me moment in terms of what women’s sport nowadays has done.
“It was a completely World Cup-focused conversation, and it was nice to not only to hear from him about what he did on the pitch, but how he felt in the moments of the World Cup.
“He says that it was the biggest highlight of his career, a moment that obviously he will never forget. He said that his best and biggest memories were in an England shirt.
“It is something that you can really relate to. For me, stepping into my first World Cup is something I’ve dreamt of ever since I can remember.”
The epitome of things coming full-circle – and a sign of how the women’s game has grown – came when Beckham revealed she was herself a role model for his 12-year-old-daughter Harper, who demanded he ask for the Lionesses’ autograph after their meeting.
Summer Arsenal signing Russo, who swapped shirts with the three-time World Cup veteran, said: “I was buzzing. Everybody is a fan of the Beckhams, aren’t they?”
England shot to the top of many bookmakers’ odds to lift a first World Cup following the exit of double-defending champions the United States, who were knocked out by Sweden in a penalty shoot-out for a worst-ever last-16 finish.
Colombia, meanwhile, have advanced to a quarter-final for the first time in their history, and are the last team remaining from the Americas.
Their 2-1 victory over world number two Germany was the shock of a group stage that would ultimately see the Euro 2022 finalists, who had never missed a quarter-final, sent packing after just three matches.
England have faced far more adversity this tournament than during last summer’s European triumph over the Germans at Wembley, beginning with injuries that ruled out Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead before the competition even started.
Then key midfielder Keira Walsh went down with what some predicted was a World Cup-ending knee injury in England’s second match, though the problem was not as serious as initially feared and she played 120 minutes against Nigeria on her last-16 return.
That 4-2 victory on penalties, however, also threw up another challenge for the Lionesses, when Lauren James was shown red and ultimately issued a two-match ban, a particularly significant blow considering the Chelsea forward has to this point been England’s most prolific attacking weapon.
As Russo’s side look to overcome the latest obstacle reach a third World Cup semi-final, she knows one thoroughly inspired 12-year-old and her dad are definitely going to be watching.
She added: “It’s just nice to hear that players are following the tournament. For all of us, these are our idols.
“He said that ‘you should never lose sight of what you guys are doing as a team’.
“I think sometimes we are always in the moment and all we see and compete for every day is the pitch and training. But there’s an impact away from that and that’s really special to hear.”
Lindstrom joins Everton on loan from Napoli
Everton have completed the loan signing of Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli, the club confirmed on Friday.
Lindstrom will join the Toffees for the 2024-25 season with the deal including an option to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old becomes the fourth addition at Goodison Park following the arrivals of Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Harrison.
Lindstrom arrives after a difficult season with Napoli, playing just 416 minutes in 22 league appearances for the Serie A side.
The Denmark international arrived in Naples from Eintracht Frankfurt where he scored 14 goals in 80 appearances, helping the German side lift the Europa League in the 2021-22 season.
“I feel very good. It’s amazing to represent Everton," Lindstrom said in his first interview with the club.
"This is a big club, with big history, a good stadium and, as I’ve seen, very good facilities as well. I’m very, very happy to be here and I feel like this is a good fit.
“I actually heard of Everton’s interest a while ago – not only from now but previously. England is very similar to Denmark so I will feel at home quickly.
“I’ve spoken to the manager. It sounds as though he likes the way I play football and I can be a good fit for the team with my speed, so now I want to deliver."
The search for another attacking option out wide had been the priority at Everton, having seen Arnaut Danjuma return to Villarreal following the completion of his loan deal, and the sale of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa.
Everton managed 40 goals last season, the second worst in the Premier League ahead of Sheffield United (35), and Dyche believes Lindstrom has a lot to offer in the final third.
"Jesper is a player with very good ability who can operate in a number of different attacking roles, which will benefit us heading into the new season," said Dyche.
"He joins us with a range of different experiences. He is hungry and eager to succeed with us, and that's a strong starting point as we look to add more productivity to our attack."
Maguire labels England criticism 'ridiculous' following Euro 2024 display
Harry Maguire has defended his England team-mates after their performance at Euro 2024, labelling the criticism as "a bit ridiculous".
England reached back-to-back European Championship finals but suffered the same outcome in Berlin as they did at Wembley three years ago.
The defeat against Spain saw Gareth Southgate become the first head coach in the history of the tournament to end up on the losing side in two finals.
Southgate called time on his eight-year tenure in charge of the Three Lions two days after the tournament ended, winning 59.8% of his 102 games in charge.
Despite this, underwhelming performances in Germany saw cups thrown towards the former England head coach as supporters jeered the players.
Southgate came under fire for his defensive approach, though only Walter Winterbottom (383) and Alf Ramsey (224) have overseen more England goals than his 213.
However, Maguire has come to the defence of his team-mates.
“Yes, performances might not have been amazing but it is tournament football," Maguire told BBC Sport.
"It is not as expansive. There are far less risks taken. You can’t afford to make mistakes or get caught going out in a full press. You saw throughout the tournament there were not many high-scoring wins.
“I just don’t know what the media or fans expected of this team. Was it to go and beat Serbia 4-0 in the first game and then beat Denmark 3-0? Did they think it was just going to be a walk in the park?”
Under Southgate's stewardship, England reached more major tournament finals in four attempts (two) than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros (one).
Maguire played 63 times during Southgate's time in charge, a total only bettered by Harry Kane (81), Kyle Walker (70), Jordan Pickford and John Stones (both 68).
Maguire was forced to miss the tournament having picked up an injury in May, forcing him to miss Manchester United's FA Cup success against Manchester City.
Euro 2024 was the first major tournament he has missed during his international career, having become a mainstay in central defence alongside Stones.
Maguire's 17 appearances at major tournaments saw him keep seven clean sheets, but he insisted that missing out on Euro 2024 was difficult for him to comprehend.
"To miss out was tough," said Maguire.
“It has been really frustrating, working all season to get myself mentally and physically at the top of my game and be in a position to feel I could really make a difference for Manchester United and my country."
Pepe: Arsenal exit 'wasn't easy' as performances judged on £72m pricetag
Nicolas Pepe admits it "wasn't easy" to come to terms with leaving Arsenal, believing many judged his performances in the Premier League on his £72million price tag.
Pepe, who joined Arsenal from Lille in 2019, completed a permanent switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor last year, leaving the Emirates on a free transfer.
The Ivorian's arrival in North London came with great expectations, having become the club's most expensive signing, surpassing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's £56m move from Borussia Dortmund.
That has since been eclipsed by Declan Rice's £100m move from West Ham last year, but the England midfielder flourished in his first season with the Gunners.
Pepe made 112 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 27 goals and adding 21 assists during his four-year stay in the Premier League.
"It wasn't easy at all. And the fans weren't happy with how I was performing," Pepe told BBC Sport about his struggles.
"When I first joined, the fans weren't really judging my performances, they were judging the price tag. But I think I did some great things while at Arsenal.
"I don't regret my time there. But my transfer fee to the club was the highest one they'd signed, so they expected me to score in each match."
The Premier League has seen an influx of inflated fees in recent years, with an estimated £1.5billion spent on player transfers during the 2023-24 season.
Pepe was keen to stress the fees paid by Premier League clubs are nothing to do with the players.
"If Arsenal bought me for £20m, maybe it'd be different," he said. "It's not the player's fault.
"They don't ask for £100m or £90m. But that's how it is in the football world and it's something that people can't understand.
"There are also players like [Mykhailo] Mudryk and Antony who don't perform at their best all the time, and yet they're not bad players."
Mikel Arteta's side are currently in the United States for pre-season as they aim to halt Manchester City's reign as Premier League champions next season.
Arsenal finished second behind City last term, accumulating 89 points, their highest total since their last triumph in the competition during the 2003-04 campaign.
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