My princess - Alessia Russo

49. Australia friendly

The refs bow there whistle and the game kicks off.

In the 4', Beth gets fouled and I run straight to the ref and so does the girl that fouled her. I argue with the ref as she wasn't gonna give the free kick but my arguing somehow changed her mind. Ha suck on that.

I explained why it was a bad tackle and she actually agreed that it was. Hell yeah. We get awarded a free kick Beth takes it and Lucy gets her head on it but the goalie saves it.

In the 29' Lucy gets a great tackle and wins the ball she passes it to Keira who finds Alessia. I look at less and she knows what I'm gonna do. I make a run and Alessia finds me and I head it in.

"Fuck yeah!" I yell and run to the corner I raise my arm and yell "COME ON ENGLAND!!" The crowd starts cheering and the girls jump on me. I get a bunch of congrats and things but then I see the one person I wanna celebrate with. Alessia jump onto my arms and says "great goal!"

"Amazing pass less! Fucking brilliant!" I say and kiss her cheek.

In the 41' Sam Kerr gets one in the back of the net.

Before halftime I make a great slide tackle and get the ball to Ella who dribble it down the field a bit and passes it to me. After faking a defender I find Leah who slams it into the net.

"Hell yeah Leah!" I yell and shake her shoulders. We celebrate and soon enough it's halftime and we're up 2-1.

When we come back out to the field Australia does not make it easy. They come back with just as much fire as us. In the 54' I get a long ball from Keira. The only thing in my way is Steph and and Mackenzie Arnold. When Steph gets to me I fake her out and put the ball through her legs. I get it back and pretend to kick the ball with my right foot making Arnold go the opposite way and then I hit the ball with my left foot.

I don't celebrate this time. It just felt wrong Stephs my teammate so I didn't wanna be a dickhead. The girls all run around me and cheer I just smile and say "nice pass Keira!"

She says thank you and we get on with the game.

In the 67' we get a corner, Beth takes it and finds me. I jump and get my head on it. When I land on the ground someone steps on my arm so I have no idea if I've scored or not that's until I hear the crowd go insane.

"Fucking hell!" I grumble and look at my arm. That'll be a nasty bruise. I get up and brush the grass off me.

"You alright?" Lucy asks.

"Ya all good." I say and start jumping and run back to position. Lucy laughs and shakes her head but gets back to position.

Australia has a few chances but Mary being the absolute goat she is saved them all. The game ends 3-1. We do our round around the field and I try to talk to as many fans as possible. I end up signing a bunch of shirts and signs and then I'm called for an interview.

"Hello." A reporter says.

"Hello everyone." I say and sit down.

"How do you feel after your first game back with England in 3 years?" A reporter asks me.

"It feels even better this time. This group of girls is very special and I'm just lucky enough to be here with them. They all played amazing tonight as well as Australia. It was a very tough match. But it felt great and I couldn't be more proud of the girls."I say.

"Thank you." He says and I nod.

"Izzi, As we saw today, Keira is a great player and playmaker, but what's your opinion of her?" A reporter asks.

"Keira is one of the best players I have ever played with. Keira can see things on the field happen before they happen her vision is unmatched. Don't even get me started on her passing I mean... wow. Did you guys see those passes today? Keira is an incredible player and I'm just lucky I don't have to play against her. I think she is criminally underrated and deserves more recognition than she gets because as of now I think she's the best player in the world. She's an amazing footballer and she's an even better person." I say with a smile and a few laughs.

"You don't think you're the best?" A reporter asks.

I laugh and say "I don't think that's for me to decide. All I know is I'm surrounded by amazing and talented people who make me better and I couldn't do anything I do without them. I just hope I'm someone who makes the players I play with play better and someone they enjoy playing with. If I can do that then I'm happy." The reporter nods.

""First of all, congratulations and well done . It was an incredible match to watch. Just tell us how you are feeling about the future of this team?" A reporter asks. Ooh a nice one.

"Thank you. And uh Ya I mean this team is incredibly talented. I'm honored to be apart of it and to share the field with these girls. I think there is so much talent on this team and even though I've only spent a week with these girls I can tell there a special group of girls and whatever we set our minds to I believe we can do." I say.

"Do you feel like you play an integral part of this team's success in the future? Also who do you think influences the game for England?" I get asked.

"Every single person on this team has a part to play in the team's success. That why we're a team. There's no "I" in team. We all work together and for each other that's what will bring us success. We play as a team, we win as a team just like we lose as a team. Every player influences the game no matter if your on the field or bench every person influences the game. It's just a matter of how you use your influence ." I say.

"That's all thank you."

"Of course have a goodnight everyone!" I say and leave the room.