Although just over 24 hours ago, Monday night still feels like a surreal dream that would struggle to exist even in the minds of the most optimistic of England supporters.
However, exist it did, as the Lionesses battered and bruised Norway at the Amex, putting eight goals past a side tipped by many to go the distance at this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
Despite an outstanding hat-trick from Beth Mead rightly stealing the headlines, it was an equally proud night for Mead’s Arsenal teammate and Lionesses captain, Leah Williamson.
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Whilst chosen to wear the armband by Lionesses boss, Sarina Wiegman, Williamson insists that when on song, every England player takes up a leadership role, as was the case yesterday evening in Brighton.
“The team I think is self-sustainable and everyone is a leader, but when you are winning games like that there is not much you can do,” Williamson began. “Everyone is on a high and it’s nice to be a part of.”
Monday night’s emphatic victory broke the record for the most goals scored in a European Championship game - a statement of intent for England’s ambitions this summer.
“I didn’t know that [it was a new record, but it is [a statement]. Every game in football you go out to win and you want to play as best as you can, and today everything we touched in the first half was golden. You have days like that, you also have days that aren’t like that, so we won’t get carried away.
“I was stood watching at the back and it was lovely for me,” Williamson remarked. “We came out here to win a game of football, we’ve done that, and we’ve done it in style.”
Another impressive record remained intact with England still yet to lose when Williamson has captained England during the Wiegman reign. The 25-year-old, equally adept at playing defensive midfield and centre-back, explained that winning is a habit and one she hopes to continue.
“There’s a lovely quote that I like: ‘Nobody wins afraid of losing’. That’s not the attitude that we have, we go into every game to win it,” she insisted. “It’s a very difficult tournament because all the teams are such a high standard. I’m very excited for any test, but of course, a win like today doesn’t do any harm to the confidence does it.”
The Lionesses’ expansive brand of football is not just enjoyable for the spectators, both the 28,847 in attendance on the South Coast and the millions more watching at home, but is also incredibly effective, as last night proved.
“Sarina really wants us to engage with the fans when we are here, but also the people at home watching on telly. That’s the type of football, if I turned on my telly, that I’d want to watch.”
