SportFootballAustralia 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:
1692189152Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTSome 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
1692188792Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTMillie 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
1692188424Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTEngland 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
1692188219Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTWiegman 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
1692188119Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTWiegman: “We achieved the final and it’s unbelievable. it was an incredible game, an incredible stadium.
“We scored three goals, you’ve been talking about ruthless but i think this team has that ruthlessness. We stick together and we stick to the plan and it worked again.”
On Australia: “I think they have done an incredible job and they really grew in the tournament. You saw today why Sam Kerr is the star fo the team but as a team they are really tough to play against.”
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:15
1692187796Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTAlessia Russo: “Obviously Spain is going to be even tougher, every game that we’ve played in this tournament has been at the highest level.
“We’ve been dreaming of this since we were little girls.”
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:09
1692187652Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTChloe Kelly and Georgia Stanway celebrate the 3-1 win
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
England celebrate after reaching the World Cup final
(Getty Images)
Sam Kerr cut an upset figure after the final whistle
(Getty Images)
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:07
1692187245Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTLucy Bronze: “The one thing I’ve always wanted is to be in the final of a World Cup.
“We knew the crowd was going to be crazy tonight and we wanted to silence them and I feel like we did after the third goal.”
She added: “All my family and friends have booked to stay here until after the final because they believed in us.”
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 13:00
1692187131Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo were enough to put the Matildas away in Sydney.
Australia has been gripped by World Cup fever after the Matildas’ dramatic penalty shootout victory against France in the quarter-finals became the most-watched sporting event in the country since the 2000 Olympic Games, but Sarina Wiegman’s side had too much in the semi-finals.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Lionesses’ run down under:
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 12:58
1692187093Women’s World Cup: Australia 1-3 England FTSarina Wiegman celebrates with Millie Bright after the final whistle
(Getty Images)
England celebrate after reaching the final
(The FA via Getty Images)
Sonia Twigg16 August 2023 12:58
