Alessia Russo believes the enormity of playing in the World Cup Final will hit her just minutes before kick-off.

Maidstone-born Russo will lead the England attack against Spain in Sydney on Sunday (kick-off 11am).

She gave a relaxed press conference on Friday and admitted that she’ll reflect on what has been achieved after the event.

"This is the biggest game, the one you dream about, the one that means the most,” said Russo.

“I feel like it'll hit when we're in the tunnel and ready to walk out.

“It's an incredible occasion, it's been an unbelievable tournament. This is it, it's exactly where we want to be and we can't wait.

“All I want to do is go out and put in a performance we're proud of, and obviously win. We started this tournament wanting to win seven games and that’s still the message. This is the last one to go and we’re all really locked in.

“It's been an incredible year but as a player you always focus on what's next and never really get to enjoy the moment. I'm sure I will when I look back and am old and grey but now it’s about what’s coming up and what’s there to achieve.

“We’re all aware it’s the World Cup Final and there’s that on the line but as soon as you cross the white line and the first whistle goes, it’s just a normal game.

“That’s what we love to do, that’s what we want to do be doing. It’s 11 v 11 and a game we’ve got to win.

“As soon as we step out onto the pitch, we know our job and we know what we’ve got to do. Of course, we’re aware it’s a World Cup final but we’re just going to play our game.”

Russo admitted she used to play ‘World Cup’ with her friends and brothers growing up so this really is a dream come true.

Born and bred in Maidstone, Russo attended East Farleigh Primary School and St Simon Stock Secondary School.

She played youth football for West Farleigh and Bearsted before being picked up by Charlton Athletic.

“When I was a kid, we used to play World Cup in the garden or at the local pitch,” recalled Russo, who moved from Manchester United to Arsenal this summer.

“I have such fond memories growing up and playing football with the local kids that I used to grow up with and also my brothers and youth teams. It looked just like having fun and playing for England.

“As a kid growing up, to think that we’d be playing in the World Cup Final is a real pinch me moment.

“Everyone is obviously excited but we’re very relaxed and chilled. It feels just like another game to us which is great and it shows the composure of the team.

“The camp is great, it’s been great from the first game up until now and it feels pretty similar. It’s another game that we must win.”

Russo scored the decisive third goal in England’s Semi-Final win over hosts Australia on Wednesday.

From potentially being pegged back and forced into extra-time, she put the seal on a 3-1 victory with a decisive right-foot finish.

“At 2-1 I still think we were good enough to see the game out but 3-1 gives you that extra cushion,” she said.

“It was great to be able to be near the sidelines too with all the other girls was really nice because we’ve got such a good team spirit in this group and everyone’s played such a massive part.

“It was nice to share that moment altogether and slowly realise that we were going to be in the final, obviously we still had five-or-10 minutes left.”

Russo was part of the squad that won the European Championships last summer.

She’s found the growth of women’s football in the past 12 months incredible to witness.

“I think we noticed a big difference in the Euros, the way the nation got behind us was incredible,” said Russo. “Out here the Australian support has been amazing, ever since we touched down, everyone has been so welcoming and so supportive.

“You’ve seen it with the stadium sell-outs and the Australian fans getting behind their team, it’s been incredible. People keep telling us the support back home is amazing, we’re so grateful, our fans mean a lot to us.

“We feel a little bit disconnected from it as players right now because all our focus is on the games but hopefully we can see them and celebrate with them when we’re back. The support for women’s football right now is crazy, as it should be, it’s so nice to see.

“We’ve done such an incredible job as a team in the last couple of years. To now be competing in the final of a World Cup, even when you say it, it feels amazing.”