Five of Alessia Russo's favourite fixtures

Leading the line at major tournaments, scoring in semi-finals and being a part of Lionesses history – a few of Alessia Russo's highlights in an England shirt.

The Arsenal striker takes a look back at five of her most memorable matches.

England 20-0 Latvia, 30 November 2021

The fastest-ever hat-trick by a Lioness was scored by Russo in England’s record-breaking 20-0 win over Latvia in Doncaster.

The forward completed her treble in eleven minutes, opening her international account with 71 minutes on the clock and wrapping up her hat-trick in the 82nd minute.

“I came on as a sub and the girls had done a great job to put us in that position,” recalled Russo. “I came on, I just wanted to enjoy it and have some fun. We were attacking a lot, so I was just excited to get on the pitch.

“To score my first goal was just incredible – something that I dreamed of. To get the hat-trick, it all happened quite quickly but it was really special.

“Two of them were headers and then one was just a right-footed shot. I remember the one of the headers coming in from Beth – someone that I still play with now – I love getting on her crosses, so that set up the start of the relationship that we have.”

Russo was one of ten different scorers on the night, with four players at the treble, along with Beth Mead, Ellen White and Lauren Hemp.

“They actually gave all of us a match ball!” she said. “There is a photo at the end of that game and we're all stood together holding the balls. They had to lose a few balls that day.”

England 4-0 Sweden, 26 July 2022

UEFA Women’s EURO 2022’s Goal of the Tournament was awarded to Russo for her famous backheel against Sweden at the semi-final stage in Sheffield.

England cruised through to the final with Russo making it 3-0 in spectacular style.

“The first thing that comes to my head is that I should have scored the first shot that Fran pulled back to me,” she said. “I remember her saying to me after, ‘you robbed me of an assist!’

“I just remember, Fran pulled it back and me shooting, and the 'keeper saved it. Obviously, I'm frustrated to have not scored the first shot and I wanted to do everything I could to react on the rebound.

“I had my back to goal and I just thought, ‘why not?’ I don't know why. I'm not really a skilled, silky kind of player but in that moment, I just went for it and luckily it went in.”

Russo’s outrageous effort, which trickled through the goalkeeper’s legs, shot the forward to fame.

“Everyone always thinks it should be my favourite goal but I actually prefer one of my other goals in the EUROs,” she explained. “In hindsight, that was probably the moment that made me turn my phone off in the next tournament!”

Northern Ireland 0-5 England, 15 July 2022

However, it was her second goal – her first, a header – against Northern Ireland that immediately springs to mind when it comes to EURO 2022 and England’s triumph on home soil.

After scoring in the Lionesses’ 8-0 group stage win over Norway, Russo bagged a brace in England’s final Group A test – having already advanced to the knockouts – to make it three goals in as many games.

“That was probably my favourite goal, just the technique of the turn and the finish,” stated Russo. “As a forward, I appreciate goals where you've worked on things or you try and implement as much in training.

“Whenever I'm in and around the box, I'm always trying to turn and get a finish off, and when I can create space for myself to get the shot off. That's my job, to create something out of nothing. That one stands out in a different way because it's a skill that I like to try and create as much as I can.”

Australia 1-3 England, 16 August 2023

Russo’s second-half strike in the semi-final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup all but sealed England’s spot in the final, knocking out hosts Australia in the process.

The Lionesses got themselves back in front after the home side equalised through Lauren Hemp and Russo made it a two-goal cushion in Sydney.

“I look back at that game as probably one of the loudest away stadiums that I've played in,” she said.

“I gave the ball away in the lead up to the goal for Sam Kerr and I remember in that moment hearing the crowd react to that. I was so frustrated with myself that I'd given the ball away and given them a chance to get back in the game that I wanted to do everything I could to help put that right.”

The message ahead of EURO 2022 was to enjoy every moment but the following tournament, Russo’s role evolved from impact substitute to leading the line.

“At the EUROs, I went into it pretty much with no pressure,” she added. “Going into the World Cup, I had a conversation with Sarina and she told me before the first game that I was going to start.

“That's when you have to step up and you have to accept a bit of responsibility. It’s probably something that when I was younger I maybe shied away from it a bit but as I get older, I understand that it's important for people to know that their nine has confidence in themselves.”

England 1-1 Spain (3-1 on penalties), 27 July 2025

The defending European champions and the world champions met in Basel for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Final.

Russo’s second goal of the tournament got England back on terms early in the second half, getting on the end of Chloe Kelly’s cross to make it 1-1.

“That’s probably my favourite goal in my whole career, not only just the moment but the cross from Chloe, the header,” said Russo.

“To score in a major final and help the team get back in the game was something that I love to do. That's probably a bit of the journey that I've gone on to believe in myself that I can step up in those moments.

And Sarina Wiegman’s team went on to retain their crown, beating Spain on penalties to become the first English team to win a major honour on foreign soil.

“I came off and had to watch the penalties and I was anxious,” she explained. “When you're off the pitch, it feels even heavier. As long as we win, I don't care how we win, and I would love to influence in creating goals and assists as much as I can but ultimately, if we win the game then I'm happy!”