Euro 2022 winner Alessia Russo on making history, inspiring a generation and that viral backheel goal for Liverpool
There will be no looking back by the winner of the UEFA Women’s Euro Final and Alessia Russo, who scored a stunning backheel goal to reach her first major football final, now wants to use her success to inspire a nation.
Alessia Russo’s goal with just 10 minutes remaining in the final gave Liverpool a 2-1 win over Chelsea, completing their dramatic comeback against a team which had secured their place in the final through a penalty shootout against Germany.
“It’s been such a great life experience,” the 24-year-old, who won this year’s UEFA Women’s Europa League and the world title in 2017, said.
“When I first heard about this I was just so thrilled. It was amazing to be part of a game that I’ve watched live on TV every single time I could.
“It’s not often I get to go to a final and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to come here. I don’t think it’s something that people are often happy to see, or remember – it doesn’t get as much of a shout. It goes down very well though.
“I’m not sure how I’ll feel when I return to the United States, but I am really proud to be able to go out on top, to go out as the winner of a final, to be the first woman to win two major titles and to put something back in the game for the young girls.”
There was a sense of surreal euphoria in Anfield, where the crowd were treated to a rousing rendition during the interval which included a whistle, the crowd all chanting and singing the Italian national anthem as well as the team wearing their blue kits: “Fantastic!”
I hope that the incredible amount of money you made helped to raise lots of money for cancer research
Alessia Russo was also emotional at her incredible achievement:
“I have been part of a lot of moments I was so excited for, but this was something that could never be imagined.
“When I woke up this morning I felt the same way I did before a competition – there