Russo was a super sub at the Euros last summer but is now central to England's chances if they are to lift the World Cup in Australia
Previously, Russo has been isolated up top as a lone striker. Partnering Hemp, however, usually a left winger, in the past three games seems to have benefited them well. Hemp played as a solitary centre-forward in the USWNT friendly in October but had never played with Russo in a front two.
The position allows Hemp freedom to use her speed and run onto the ball either in the left or right channel or in the box. When Hemp’s dribbling is on point, she is unplayable — although she has a tendency to hit dead ends in one-v-one situations. Russo and Hemp have only exchanged 14 passes across the 304 minutes together. It is not so much about their link-up play but the space they occupy or vacate which enables the other.
Russo does the dirty work, befitting of her duty, but we have also seen glimmers of her striking ability. When she gets chances against Australia in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, she has to take them.Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.is a women's football writer for The Athletic UK. She was previously a junior editor for the news desk.
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