Her 28 final third entries where the most on Tony Gustavsson’s team in seven games. It was her brilliant corner into the six-yard box that found the head of Alanna Kennedy against Nigeria to capture a constellation goal. There is no question that she was among the top candidates for Young Player of the Tournament, an award which Spain’s Salma Paralluelo took home.
Kyra’s Cooney-Cross’s combined @FIFAWWC heatmap is simply 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐄 🇦🇺🏃♀️🤯
— KEEPUP (@keepupau) August 20, 2023
21 years old and bossing our midfield on the World stage. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 🔥#FIFAWWC #DubAtTheCup pic.twitter.com/4QFtZ1VOT4
The Blues have already added the likes of Americans Mia Fishel, and Catarina Macario in addition to Hannah Hampton and Ashley Lawrence among others. The only challenge for Emma Hayes next season is going to be deciding the strongest XI to put out. Four straight WSL titles just adds to the hunger of a club still seeking that UEFA Women’s Champions League crown.
The now 21-year-old moved from her home country to Sweden in March 2022 after hoisting one league title with the Melbourne Victory in the A-League. In her first showing on the world stage, Cooney-Cross played the 10th most minutes of any player at the World Cup, helping to guide the co-hosts to a fourth place finish. The way she acted composed under such pressure against the French was when the world really began to take note.