Lionesses promise: The best is yet to come

THE Lionesses are going into their quarter-final clash against Colombia promising the "best is yet to come" in their bid for World Cup glory.

- Jeremy Armstrong and Holly Bone

The European champions take on the South American giant killers in front of a sell-out 75,000 crowd at Stadium Australia in Sydney today.

And millions are expected to watch in the UK with the biggest TV audience of the tournament so far.

England manager Sarina Wiegman insists her players are ready despite a stuttering performance against Nigeria in the dramatic 4-2 penalty-shootout victory on Monday.

And goalkeeper Mary Earps had a message for fans, saying: "We love the games, we love the World Cup and we want to be here for as long as we can. I really do believe that the best is yet to come."

Earps, 30, from Nottingham, who won the Fifa golden glove award last season, added: "I can see the talent in the team. You have seen glimpses of what we are capable of. We've grinded out the results. But we know that we can do more."

The team came together to high-five each other at the end of their final training session at the Central Coast Stadium in New South Wales yesterday.