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Australia 1-3 England: The Lionesses spoil the Matildas’ party to set up a final against Spain on Sunday
World Cup semi-final: England fans celebrate Lionesses scoring against Australia
England brilliantly reached the Women’s World Cup final for the first time with a stunning 3-1 win over Australia in Sydney, breaking the hearts of the host nation and setting up an all-European title decider against Spain.
Ella Toone drove England’s opener into the corner of the net in the 36th minute to silence the crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia but home captain Sam Kerr brought them back into it with a stunning run and strike from 25 metres out in the 64th minute.
The Matildas defence failed to deal with a long ball over the top seven minutes later, however, and Lauren Hemp nipped in to drill it into the net.
Kerr came close to scoring an equaliser but came up short and Alessia Russo powered home England’s third four minutes from time to send the European champions, semi-final losers at the last two World Cups, into Sunday’s final.
Relive the action from England vs Australia in the semi-finals and get all the latest Women’s World Cup odds here:
England fans celebrated the Lionesses booking their place in the World Cup final the only way they know how - by indulging in “Sweet Caroline”.
England fans celebrated the Lionesses booking their place in the World Cup final the only way they know how - by indulging in “Sweet Caroline”. Neil Diamond’s iconic song has become an anthem for the national side, with hundreds swaying together and cheering in Boxpark Croydon after the European champions beat the tournament co-hosts 3-1 in Sydney. After last summer’s success, England now have eyes on the biggest prize of all - the World Cup. The Lionesses face Spain in the showpiece event at Stadium Australia on Sunday 20 August.
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 14:35
Alessia Russo says England can win World Cup final
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 14:20
Ian Wright wasted no time diving into the celebrations after the game.
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 14:08
Lauren James could return to play in the World Cup final after her England teammates earned their spot in Sunday’s Sydney showpiece with a 1-0 win over hosts Australia.
James was handed a two-game ban by Fifa after being sent off during the last-16 win over Nigeria for a stamp on defender Michelle Alozie during the knockout game, which England won via a penalty shootout.
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:57
England are into the Women’s World Cup final after beating Australia 3-1 in the semis, leaving the Lionesses squad dreaming of making it back-to-back major tournament successes.
Having already won Euro 2022 last summer, Sarina Wiegman’s squad will now face Spain on Sunday for a shot a second straight triumph on the biggest stage of all.
Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo were all on the scoresheet, with Sam Kerr briefly equalising for the Matilda’s with a stunning long-range effort in the second half. But the day belonged to England as the co-hosts were knocked out, with wing-back Lucy Bronze noting afterwards the atmosphere was a sensational throughout the encounter.
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:45
Just a few more stats:
England have qualified for their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup final, after becoming just the second team to eliminate the tournament hosts at the semi-final stage (Germany won 3-0 against hosts USA in the 2003 semi-final).
Alessia Russo has now scored seven goals in 12 appearances at major tournaments for England (FIFA Women’s World Cup & UEFA European Championships), with only Ellen White (10) and Fara Williams (8) netting more for the Lionesses across the two competitions.
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:40
Some Opta stats after the semi-final:
England are unbeaten in all 19 games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in which they’ve opened the scoring (W17 D2), including winning each of the last 13 when scoring first.
With her goal in this game, Ella Toone became the first England player (men’s and women’s) to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of major international tournaments (FIFA Women’s World Cup & UEFA European Championships).
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:32
Millie Bright said to the BBC: “I don’t know I think it’s a moment that we’ve wanted for so long.
“We loved the success last summer but we’ve always known there was something missing and that was the world Cup. What an incredible semi-final.
“The mentality of this group is something that I’ve never seen before and i think that comes from Sarina as well.
“We can play many different ways that is the beauty fo this squad and whatever is thrown at us we find a way to adapt and a way to win.”
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:26
England reach the game’s grandest stage, having fittingly reached their greatest level so far.
Such was the professionally commanding nature of this 3-1 semi-final win over hosts Australia that they somehow made this moment of glorious football history feel like it was always coming. They have just got better and better as this World Cup has gone on, as symbolised by all of Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo coming to form with goals, and as crowned now with a place in the final itself.
It was celebrated, of course, with a delirious rendition of Sweet Caroline in the centre circle.
The full report by Miguel Delaney in Sydney:
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:20
Wiegman took the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2019, where they finished as runners up, but she has the chance to go one better with England on Sunday.
Wiegman added: “The chance as a coach or a player to make two finals is really special. I never take anything for granted, it’s like being in a fairytale or something!”
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:16
