After England’s first ever win in a knock-out game at any Women’s World Cup, a place in the semi-finals is at stake this weekend as the Lionesses face the host nation in front of an expected record crowd.
With no fewer than eight Loughborough College names in the squad Manager Mark Sampson took to Canada, the match will kick off in the early hours of Sunday UK time with almost 60,000 spectators in the BC Place stadium in Vancouver.
Steph Houghton, who graduated with a Sport degree from Loughborough College, and fellow defender Lucy Bronze scored the goals in Ottawa that saw off the Norwegians, giving the side the chance to go further than any previous England women’s team.
This is the first senior World Cup for former Loughborough College Sport students Jade Moore, Jordan Nobbs and Toni Duggan while fellow alumnus Ellen White is making her second appearance after featuring in 2011 and aluni Casey Stoney, Jill Scott and Karen Carney are all making their third, following appearances in 2007 and 2011.
The Lionesses are ranked sixth in the world but will be playing a team Sampson has called “the most aggressive team in this tournament” who have seen many “big refereeing decisions” go their way.
“But aggression’s part of the game. This England team has it and we’ll make sure we’re physically ready for a huge, huge challenge.
“We’re all up for that fight, without a shadow of a doubt. You look at the players we’ve got … they won’t shy away from confrontation.”
England beat Canada in the final of the Cyprus Cup in March and Sampson doesn’t feel Canada has scored “a really strong goal that hasn’t come from an opponent’s error or a refereeing error.”
The home crowd which will be the largest any Canadian football team - men's or women's - has played in front of.
“We know we’re not just facing a big crowd but a whole nation. It will be a hostile environment but Canada are the team under most pressure.
“Ours is not a nation used to its football teams – either men’s or women’s – being successful at World Cups or major championships,” says Sampson. “So we’re fully aware of the need to perform.
“By giving ourselves a chance of progressing in this World Cup we give the women’s game at home a chance to grow.
“It’s a big moment.”
Pictured: England teammates celebrate after scoring the winner against Norway in the 2015 Women’s World Cup