Jill Scott believes the England Women’s squad is strong enough to have two teams in the World Cup quarter finals.
Mark Sampson’s side will take on host nation Canada in the last eight at the weekend.
The Lionesses defeated Norway in the second round for their first-ever World Cup knockout win, but they have never been beyond the quarter finals in three previous attempts.
England v Canada
FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
Quarter final
12:30am, Sunday 28 June
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver
Live on BBC One
But Scott, 28, said reaching this stage of the competition was the minimum requirement.
She explained: “We always expected to be at this stage.
“I actually think we could field two teams of 11 in this tournament and they would both get to at least the quarters.
“That’s how good I think this squad is.
“I know people keep mentioning the fact the Norway game was our first knockout win, and we are happy to be in the quarter final, but we expected to get here. We wouldn’t have been happy going home any sooner.”
The Manchester City midfielder started the group matches against France and Mexico, but was a substitute against Colombia and Norway.
England celebrate Lucy Bronze's winner against Norway
And it was her introduction against the Scandinavians on Monday that was the catalyst for England’s win.
She replaced Fran Kirby early in the second half and stamped her authority on the game immediately – and even had a big part to play in Lucy Bronze’s winning goal.
Scott said: “It’s always difficult when you don’t start games, but when you look at the bigger picture, it’s a tournament and you want to be here for the duration. We need to use the squad as best as possible.
“But I’m obviously pleased with how the Norway game went and how I contributed.
“I’ve had a few people sending me ‘well done’ messages from back home. I felt in good shape coming onto the tournament off the back of my club form, so I know I can do a job for the team, just like any of the other 22 girls.”
England are now just one win away from reaching a maiden World Cup semi-final.
Standing in their way is John Herman’s Canada, a team they know well, having met them seven times in the last five years including a victorious Cyprus Cup final in March and a 1-0 loss in Hamilton on the eve of the tournament.
Mark Sampson has led England to a first-ever World Cup knockout win
However, such is Sampson’s tactical flexibility, Scott believes England will have enough ingenuity to bamboozle the Canucks and seal an historic last-four spot against either holders Japan or Australia.
She said: “We have come up against them quite a lot recently.
“We probably do know each other inside out. But, at the same time, I think we have proved in this tournament that we can play in a number of different ways and a number of different formations, and that’s quite pleasing.
“Canada won’t know what England team is going to show up on Saturday.”
Scott added: “It’s going to be a massive game. I’ve been involved in two quarter finals in the past and lost them both. It’s very depressing to lose a big match like that.
“Whether it’s one of the new girls, or one of the players that have been to two World Cups before, we know this is a big game.
“We all want to be in the semi-final. To be in the last four of a World Cup would be a fantastic feeling.”
