Rachel Brown-Finnis: How Sarina Wiegman turned England into a winning machine

I’ve not stopped smiling since England reached the European Championship final – it was just absolutely amazing and the team were sensational.

Sweden wanted to get to the final and finally win a tournament while England were on their own crusade to try to make history and get over the line in a semi.

I thought it would be tight. The only person who didn’t, seemingly, was my old Lionesses team-mate and now BBC colleague Fara Williams, who incredibly predicted 4-0. We roomed together for ten years and I will never hear the end of it from her!

England scored at good times while Sweden were unconvincing in front of goal and that first goal from Beth Mead must have deflated them. What England are is potent and that is hard to take for opposing teams.

I really felt there was a swell in the stadium in the second half, similar to the 8-0 victory over Norway in the group stage, and Fran Kirby was great – her best game of the tournament.

Leah Williamson had a bit more space to get on the ball and was excellent in and out of possession, while that third goal from Alessia Russo is going to be played over and over again.

We have got so many world-class talents, and that’s a lot to do with investment – £50million pumped into the women’s game over the last decade by The National Lottery and its players.

Russo’s goal summed up how England felt by that stage midway through the second period – as if they were playing in training. You don’t take a chance like that unless you’re full of confidence.

England look like winners thanks to the ruthlessness manager Sarina Wiegman has instilled. That has been missing from previous England sides, a deep sense of self-belief and an ability to finish teams off.

They can floor opponents like a boxer and they’re