Published 30 November 2021 3 min read
Ellen White
'Emotional' Ellen White reacts to setting England record
The Lionesses' new record goalscorer focuses on the future after hat-trick takes her to 48 goals for England
England Women’s new top goalscorer Ellen White spoke of her emotion at making history, on a night of setting new records with the Lionesses.
The striker, 32, went into Tuesday’s game with Latvia in Doncaster knowing she was just a goal away from equalling Kelly Smith’s tally of 46 goals.
And it didn’t take Aylesbury-born White long to both match and surpass that total thanks to two goals in the first ten minutes at the Keepmoat Stadium.
She then completed her hat-trick in the second half before the Lionesses went on to set another new record with a 20-0 victory in front of an adoring 10,402 strong crowd.
“I actually feel really emotional about it,” admitted the Manchester City star.
“It’s been spoken about for a long time and I feel very proud obviously.
“Growing up, Kelly Smith to me was a legend, I have so much love and respect for her. I feel so lucky to have played with her.
“It's incredible, to be honest, I feel really lucky I have had amazing support from my friends, family, teammates, coaches, staff.
“But I’m not stopping here I still want to score for England.”
White wasn’t the only hat-trick hero on the night either, as Beth Mead and Alessia Russo all hit their own trebles while Lauren Hemp got four.
And White, who also picked up her 100th cap in England’s previous game with Austria, was delighted to see both Hemp and Russo opening their own goalscoring account for the Lionesses.
“I also feel really proud of the girls tonight,” she added.
“We’ve got some of the girls score their first goals for England - and the pride I feel for them, because I love scoring for England, and I’m pleased for them coming through.”
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Head coach Sarina Wiegman also paid her own tribute to White, following her contribution to what’s been an electric start to the new coach’s career with England.
“I’m very proud,” said Wiegman.
“I just now experienced with her [Ellen White] the last period, but she’s had just a tremendous career.
“I think this was such a team performance, we just kept on going and so many records have been broken tonight.
“The difference was so big in level, but still you have to make the game yourself.
“You have to speed up the game all the time, you have to stay in shape, make the right decisions and stay tight on the ball.
“I think we did so well, the energy stayed in the team for the whole game and I think that is really impressive.
“This is not going to be anything near what we expect in February or in the EUROs, but still in these games, keep your shape, do all the things well, keep it simple and then you can score 20 goals.”