Russo opens up on disappointment of missing out on automatic World Cup qualification | OneFootball

Alessia Russo admits missing out on automatic qualification for the World Cup is a big disappointment.

England will have to go through the play-offs after finishing second in their group behind Spain, who they were thrashed 4-0 by in their penultimate group game.

The Lionesses bounced back with a 3-0 win over Ukraine in their final game but it proved not to be enough to secure top spot after Spain hammered Iceland.

“We were obviously really deflated after the Spain game,” Arsenal striker Russo admitted. “Not the performance we wanted and we were really disappointed with it.

“It’s nice to come back to England, play in front of all of our fans and get a win.

“It’s tough. We obviously all know we didn’t play well enough against Spain. They also put on a fantastic performance so credit to them but we know the performance was below our standards so that’s disappointing.

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“We also wanted to qualify automatically for the World Cup but now we’re going to the play-offs and that’s tough but it’s football. We had the toughest group playing Spain and we won five out of six games and have still not gone through.

“It’s difficult but it’s football and we move on, go to the play-offs and do everything we can to qualify.

“Of course (it’s) not (ideal) but we’re desperate to go to the World Cup and we’ll do everything we can.

“Now it’s important that everyone goes away, switches off mentally and physically and we come back to our clubs, start pre-season really well, and then we come into the play-offs and give it everything.”

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