I’ve waited a lifetime to read (let alone write) that headline. But here is concrete evidence. Right now you can get no better with Betfair than 3-1 on England winning the Women’s World Cup. Don’t tell me that this is a second rate version of the men’s world cup, I don’t agree and I don’t care!

If you aren’t aware, the tournament is happening in Australia and it’s attracting record audiences both at the games and worldwide on TV and digital streaming.

We may not win, indeed we are still far from odds-on with the bookies, but the Lionesses , fresh from winning the Euros, are reckoned the best team in the world right now. Which is something for us all to be proud of – eh!

And we have the superstar of the tournament in Lauren James and the tactical genius of Sarina Wiegman! Our 6-1 win against China was the most impressive performance by any team so far.

Our way to the final is opening up as Germany and Brazil are already out and pre-tournament favorites , USA, look a spent force. Spain and Japan have impressed but we don’t meet them till the final as they’re on the other side of the draw.

The most likely outcome on the way is that we meet France in the semi-finals (a grudge match after last year’s men’s world cup). Let’s hope our women can do better!

With the draw really working in our favor and with the team and manager appearing to be enjoying themselves, this tournament could see England for the first time since 1966 (when I was four) lift Jules Rimet!

Yesterday was also the day when England’s women beat Australia women for the first time ever in the netball world cup. This comes a couple of weeks after they so nearly won back the women’s ashes at cricket

It’s a bummer of a summer and England’s women are the best thing about it. I think we will win the football world cup and even if we don’t , I can always remember the weekend when we were the world’s favorites!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65962749