Rachel Daly 'excited and raring to go' for World Cup Final

Rachel Daly admits that the prospect of England contesting a World Cup Final still feels rather surreal, as the Lionesses make their final preparations to play Spain in Sunday’s showpiece.

The Aston Villa star is one of the more experienced members of Sarina Wiegman’s squad, having featured in the last World Cup in 2019 as well as last summer’s EURO 2022 success.

And she’ll be one of the key figures in this game too, as England aim to write themselves into history in Sydney.

"I don't think it's really sunk in yet,” she said.

“Like you know from last year, we were still quite chilled about it in the EURO, weren't we? It was just kind of like one more game. And that's how it is in camp again.

“But when you say it out loud, you realise how special it is to be in a World Cup Final, representing your country and playing against such a top team. So, I’m, really excited and raring to go now."

The England group have been ‘down under’ for almost six weeks now, on the back of their initial training camps at St. George’s Park in June.

And she revealed that the togetherness and spirit among the squad is one of the strengths they can take into their final game.

“We've got such different characters in the squad, we've got a mix of experience, youth, and everyone in between, and that everyone's personality is shown at all times, which is really special,” she added.

“But the biggest thing for me is the inner belief. We've had everything thrown at us. I'm sure you've probably heard all the girls say that, but it feels like we've had everything thrown at us over the last nine weeks, in what is a relatively new squad.

“The belief that we have in this team and within our changing rooms is something that I can't even put into words how strong that bond and connection is.

“So that's probably the number one thing that stands out for me throughout the whole tournament."

Whatever happens in the game on Sunday, Harrogate-born Daly says all of the squad will take home their own special memories from their time in Australia.

"A lot of the time it's off the pitch stuff,” she added.

“Obviously, you're here to do your job, but you know, you can't be 100 per cent just focused on football all the time. You have to have downtime and switch off.

“From the early days, like walking into the Sunshine Coast and seeing the kangaroos on our doorstep, that's something that will always stay with me.

“And it's been nice to connect with the families and have your downtime as well. But the standout moment was probably getting through the Nigeria game and then obviously beating the nation on their home soil.”

Daly has also had the bonus of being able to share those memories with her best friend, England captain Millie Bright.

The pair have built a special bond during their time together as Lionesses over the years and this trip has brought even more.

"There are probably too many to choose from [with Millie],” she explained.

“I don't think I could pick one, but a standout one would probably be after the last game. She literally ran up to me and kissed my armband for my dad.

“She does that before every game, obviously in the changing room, so no one will see that. But my agent, Sue, actually caught a photo of it.

“She sent me that after the game, and that was something we do together and it just happened naturally and organically. Something like that you just take with you forever.

“But the laughs that we have off the pitch, just having your best mate there. We've talked about it a lot, but it's so nice to have that person there by your side all the time, on the bus next to you on the way back from games.

“We had a moment the other day where it was just like, 'Millie, we're in the World Cup final,' and she's like, 'What the hell?' So it's just enjoying every moment that we have."