Womens World Cup 2019: England can beat any team in the world, claims Sue Smith

Womens World Cup 2019: England can beat any team in the world, claims Sue Smith
England are genuine contenders to win the Womens World Cup and Lionesses legend Sue Smith insists they will back themselves against anyone.Phil Nevilles side, fresh off the back of their SheBelieves Cup triumph, are third favourites to be crowned world champions in France ahead of their opener against Scotland on Sunday.getty4

Steph Houghton and co. have a genuine chance to make history in France

An unprecedented buzz surrounds the Lionesses as they bid to taste World Cup glory for the first time ever.However, much like the mens team, their history at the tournament is a story of heartbreak and disappointment.Smith, who made 93 appearances for her country, believes the women used to fear the likes of Germany and the USA but not anymore. Speaking at a William Hill pre-World Cup event, Smith told talkSPORT: Theyll be going there to win the tournament.Thats their aim and thats their focus. All of the buzz around is just nice for them to know theyve got the backing of the country behind them.Theres a belief now that England can go into tournaments and win them, or at least get to the final. I think that will be what they expect.getty4

The Lionesses beat Germany in a third-place play-off in 2015

Theyve done a lot of work around the psychology of playing for some of these major teams. I remember when we played against Germany and we were sort of beaten before we even went out there.As soon as the first goal went in, you would see heads start to drop. You dont see that now.This team go out and believe they can compete with anybody, they can beat anyone in the world.getty4

Sue Smith scored 12 goals for England Women

Smith, who has emerged as one of the standout female pundits in the game, believes World Cup glory has the power to shift attitudes.Womens Super League attendances grew by 50 per cent after the Lionesses came third at the 2015 World Cup, while the 2017 European Championships drew record viewing figures for womens football in the UK.But there is still work to be done, according to Smith, and the Lionesses could play a crucial role in France.

Women's World Cup on talkSPORT

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• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT

When I first started playing, which was a long time ago now, the attitudes have changed dramatically, Smith added.The support that the girls have got at the last tournament and at this tournament with the amount of people watching, the media coverage – its taken it onto another level.Of course, there are still certain people with certain attitudes that we have to change, and youd hope that England going there and winning the tournament might do that.William Hill4

Sue Smith (left) exclusively to talkSPORT

Each year, weve seen an improvement and a growth. I think Canada showed that there was an interest and an appetite there. The games were on at 12/1 oclock at night and people were staying up to watch it.People fell in love with the womens game and theyve kept following England and watching some of the bigger games. Now, it seems like theres a huge buzz around.The Lionesses are 7/1 with William Hill to win theWomensWorldCup.Listen to every England game live on talkSPORT – and tune in for their opener against Scotland on Sunday at 5pm.

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World Cup. England have qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup four times (1995, 2007, 2011, 2015) and failed to qualify for three competitions (1991, 1999, 2003). The England team reached the quarter-finals on three occasions, losing out to Germany in 1995, the United States in 2007 and France on penalties in 2011.