The 'best mates' firing England to World Cup glory: Alessia Russo and Ella Toone have been friends since school and call themselves the Lionesses' party animals... and now they're the final goal hopes
Best-mates Alessia Russo and Ella Toone each got on the scoresheet as England beat hosts Australia 3-1 to reach their first Women's World Cup final.
Toone, 23, opened the scoring for the Lionesses in the 36th minute with a thumping drive into the far corner, before Australia equalised in the second-half thanks to a special effort from their captain Sam Kerr.
Sarina Wiegman's team only had to wait eight minutes to regain the lead when Lauren Hemp proved too strong for the Australian defence. And, with only four minutes left of the 90, Russo, 24, capped a fine performance with a goal that settled England nerves and set up a clash with European rivals Spain.
Toone, who has started the last two games following the suspension of youngster Lauren James, and Russo are on the cusp of completing a remarkable double with the Lionesses.
Not just content with winning the European Championship with your closest friend, the pair are set on spurring England to glory in Sunday's World Cup final too.
Despite growing up in separate areas of the country - Toone in Greater Manchester and Russo in Kent, the attacking duo are great friends off the field and have been mates since the age of 12.
Ahead of England's World Cup opener last month, the former Manchester United team mates graced the cover of fashion magazine Elle and, among other things, said the rarity of winning a tournament at Wembley alongside your mate was 'special'.
‘[We] both had the dream of one day playing for England,’ Russo told the outlet. ‘So then to do it and [win], it was special. I don’t think many best friends can say that they’ve done that.’
‘It’s been hard to get used to,' Toone added of her new found fame.
In their landmark feature, both women were keen to highlight the
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