Meg Meets World (Megan Finnigan interview)

Megan Finnigan set up the goal that took England to this World Cup, and is measured about it: with an extra place available as hosts, failing to qualify would have been a major disappointment. What has changed most is her, by her own account. She made her Everton debut at sixteen as probably the shyest kid around, never spoke, and has spent two or three years becoming someone confident and loud enough to captain England’s Under-19s. Coming out of her shell, she thinks, transfers directly onto the pitch. Eleven months of full-time football have left her fitter and stronger, and facing WSL 1 forwards every week is the argument she makes to herself for why a World Cup should not frighten her.