ENGLAND go in search of their first-ever World Cup knockout win tonight with defender Alex Scott warning last-16 opponents Norway that the Lionesses are starting to build up a head of steam.

Mark Sampson's side were defeated by France in their opening group match in Canada, but since then have beaten both Mexico and Colombia 2-1 to progress through as runners-up to Les Bleues, and they will now look to make history when they face Norway.

No England women's team have ever progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the World Cup before, losing at that stage in 1995, 2007 and 2011, and with the last-16 round only being introduced this year, it means they have yet to win a knockout match in the tournament.

Scott is hoping that will change against Norway at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium, though, saying: "We want to be here until the final. That is our aim. We said that coming into the tournament, and once you're in it, it's not about going home. No-one wants to go home early."

Arsenal full-back Scott also believes England are beginning to show what they can do after being edged out in their first match by the highly-fancied French.

She added: "I think we are really building momentum now. I think we are really growing into the tournament.

"We are going into the game thinking 'we want to build on the Colombia performance and we want to progress in this tournament'."

England are five spots ahead of 11th-placed Norway in the world rankings, but Even Pellerud's team are unbeaten so far in Canada, beating Thailand and Ivory Coast while drawing with world No.1s Germany.

Norway also finished runners-up at Euro 2013 – a tournament England were knocked out of at the group stage after picking up just one point – and Lionesses' veteran Fara Williams admits their rival Europeans will be no pushovers.

Williams, England's most capped player of all-time who is approaching 150 appearances for her country, said: "They are tough. They are a physical team. I know from previous experiences playing against them, they are very direct, fit and physical.

"We know what to expect from them and we know our coaching staff would have done all the homework for us and get us best prepared."

Norway, the 1995 world champions who also reached the final in 1991 and semi-finals in 2007, look set to welcome back captain Trine Ronning.

She has not featured since being substituted during the second half of Norway's 4-0 opening win over Thailand with a thigh injury, but the 33-year-old is now fit to return.

She said: "I've now had two good practice sessions at full power, and the body has responded very well. I'm ready to face England."