![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/alessia-russo-hailed-by-former-manchester-united-team-mate-after-world-cup-heroics/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2_GettyImages-1609608490.jpg&description=Manchester United forward Leah Galton was full of praise for former team-mate Russo after her match-winning strike for England against Colombia Manchester United forward Leah Galton has heaped praise on former team-mate Alessia Russo after her goal against Colombia helped England book their place in the Women's World Cup semi-finals. It was a closely-fought encounter in Sydney, with Leicy Santos' audacious strike looping over the head of Mary Earps to put the South Americans ahead, before Lauren Hemp pounced on a goalkeeping error to restore parity for the Lionesses on the stroke of half time. England doubled their tally for the day shortly after the hour mark, with Russo finishing smartly to send Sarina Wiegman's side through to the last four. The match-winning strike was Russo's second goal at this summer's tournament, with the 24-year-old having been the subject of plenty of scrutiny in recent weeks following her sensational switch from Manchester United to Arsenal. And Galton - who played alongside Russo for three seasons at Leigh Sports Village - said she "couldn't be happier" for the England striker. "Alessia took her goal really well," Galton told Mirror Football. "She deserves the world that girl so I couldn't be happier for her. "It was probably the best outcome for me. I support all the girls and it doesn't matter really who scores the goals as long as we win but when it comes down to the goalscorers, I would choose her everyday. She works extremely hard and she's one of the nicest people off the pitch I think I've ever met so I'm delighted." Galton, who notched 10 goals and four assists in just 20 Women's Super League [WSL] appearances last term, was capped by England at youth level but has so far opted not to feature for the senior squad, stressing the importance of striking a healthy work-life balance. But the 29-year-old was cheering on the Lionesses at a McDonald's screening of Saturday's quarter-final clash in St Albans, and believes Sarina Wiegman's){kind=link}
Manchester United forward Leah Galton was full of praise for former team-mate Russo after her match-winning strike for England against Colombia
Manchester United forward Leah Galton has heaped praise on former team-mate Alessia Russo after her goal against Colombia helped England book their place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals.
It was a closely-fought encounter in Sydney, with Leicy Santos’ audacious strike looping over the head of Mary Earps to put the South Americans ahead, before Lauren Hemp pounced on a goalkeeping error to restore parity for the Lionesses on the stroke of half time. England doubled their tally for the day shortly after the hour mark, with Russo finishing smartly to send Sarina Wiegman’s side through to the last four.
The match-winning strike was Russo’s second goal at this summer’s tournament, with the 24-year-old having been the subject of plenty of scrutiny in recent weeks following her sensational switch from Manchester United to Arsenal. And Galton – who played alongside Russo for three seasons at Leigh Sports Village – said she “couldn’t be happier” for the England striker.
“Alessia took her goal really well,” Galton told Mirror Football. “She deserves the world that girl so I couldn’t be happier for her.