“In Sarina we trust” has become a mantra back in England among fans and pundits, and coach Sarina Wiegman hopes to repay the faith by guiding the Lionesses to victory against Spain in their first-ever Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.

Wiegman has transformed England since taking over in 2021 and led them to European Championship success on home soil last year. They are now on the brink of a first world title after beating co-hosts Australia 3-1 in the semi-final.

The 53-year-old Dutch coach said England were “desperate” to end their long wait for glory before last year’s Euro success, which was the country’s first major triumph since the 1966 men’s World Cup final.

“I don’t hear the noise that much but I know it’s there. When we started working in September 2021, I felt that the country was so desperate to win a final tournament,” Wiegman said.

“Everyone was saying it, the players too. And I thought, ‘Oh, it’s very real’... I heard again about 1966, and we’ll talk about 1966. So let’s be at our best on Sunday and try to be successful.”