CARLY TELFORD claims the Lionesses felt like World Cup FAILURES — and were stunned at escaping any flak.

The England women’s keeper admits they still have a hangover from that 2-1 semi-final loss to USA.

Defeat against Sweden meant Phil Neville’s side also missed out on a bronze medal — having aimed to be champions.

Chelsea star Telford, 32, said: “When we came back afterwards we were all doom and gloom.

“We totally messed up and thought everyone would be disappointed. But it was so weird as everyone was so complimentary.

“We failed, yet everyone said, ‘You were amazing’. I couldn’t get my head around it.

“We had spoken so much about winning. If the men had said the same, everyone would have been on to them, saying they were terrible.

“But everyone was so nice. I think it’s because, for the first time, 11.7million have seen what the Lionesses are about.

“People bought into the team, regardless of our gender. For the first time people switched on as it was football. Not men’s or women’s, just football.”

England face Brazil in a friendly at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

It comes after the Lionesses’ 3-3 drew with Belgium — a team ranked 12 places below them in the world rankings.

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