England Women’s defender Lucy Bronze has been named on the shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award, which is given to the World Cup's Player of the Tournament.
The 23-year-old has been cast alongside USA trio Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Johnston, Japan pair Saori Ariyoshi and Aya Miyama, Amandine Henry from France and Germany captain Celia Sasic.
Germany v England
FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
Match for Third Place
9pm BST, Saturday 4 July
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Bronze has been one of her country’s star performers in Canada, and helped the Lionesses reach their maiden semi-final.
The Manchester City player began the tournament as a defensive left-sided midfielder and helped Claire Rafferty nullify the threat of France forward Elodie Thomis.
She reverted back to more familiar surroundings of right-back for the 2-1 win over Mexico.
And it was from that position that Bronze scored a goal for the ages – a 25-yard screamer against Norway which sealed England’s place in the quarter final.
Bronze was at it again when Mark Sampson’s side knocked out the host nation in the last eight, nodding home Fara Williams’s free-kick.
She was unable to help guide her country past holders Japan in the semi-final, but will look to achieve a third-place finish when England take on Germany in Edmonton on Saturday.
