Bronze’s strike from range against Norway in the World Cup goes down as one of the moments of the year

Moment of the year

Lucy Bronze’s goal against Norway

It is said that a footballer knows the moment the ball leaves their boot whether or not it will ripple the net. In truth, the scene was set way before that in training sessions in the middle of a heady French summer as England prepared their free-kick routines.

When Beth Mead, England’s new dead-ball specialist, spotted Bronze, arguably England’s best player, unmarked on the edge of the area in their World Cup quarter-final against Norway there was only ever going to be one result.

Bronze’s finish was exquisite, her right-footed strike flying high into the roof of the net, leaving the Norwegian players in varying senses of disbelief. Seemingly, they had not learnt their lesson from