In the highly anticipated second semifinal of the Women’s FIFA World Cup, the resilient England team came out on top, defeating co-hosts Australia 3-1 at Sydney on Thursday to book their spot in the finals of the tournament. It was a hyped encounter where Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, and Alessia Russo scored in tandem to steer their team to a memorable victory, reaching their first-ever Women’s World Cup final.
As the action unfolded, English midfielder Ella Toone gave her side a first-half lead on Wednesday, but a stunning strike from captain Kerr, making her first start of the tournament, squared things up after half-time as Stadium Australia erupted in euphoria. However, Lauren Hemp restored England’s lead before Alessia Russo put the result beyond doubt shortly before the end.
The two teams went all out on the field, trading chances to score throughout the first half. Toone released Russo inside the area but lashed an effort into the side of the net. An Australia corner then found Haley Raso unmarked towards the back post, but she also sent her shot wide.
However, it was England who got the opening goal in the 36th minute when Russo worked her way to the byline before cutting the ball back and Toone smashed it into the top right corner for her first goal of the tournament. Keeper Hemp did initially manage to block the shot, only for the to land back to the midfielder, who then sent an arrowing effort into the top corner, giving Arnold no chance of saving it. The first half eventually ended with England leading 1-0.
Australia started the second half much brighter and began pressing England higher up the pitch. Their best opening saw Mary Fowler pick out Caitlin Foord on the left, but the latter’s effort was collected well by Earps. England also saw openings as Hemp drew a save from Arnold before Millie Bright nodded wide from the corner.
They ultimately got the much-needed equalizer in the 63rd minute when Kerr received the ball in her own half, ran towards the goal, and fired an unstoppable rocket into the top left corner from 25 yards out beyond the diving Mary Earps.
A long ball over the top from Millie Bright was not dealt with by Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, allowing Hemp an easy finish into the bottom corner to restore England’s lead in the 71st minute. This was soon followed up by the third and final English goal by Russo in the 86th minute, leaving the Aussies no chance of fighting back into the match that was heading to a close.
In the end, the referee called for the final whistle to give England a memorable victory over the Aussie side. England, who lost their semifinal matches in the previous two World Cups will now face off against Spain in the finals of the Women’s FIFA World Cup at Sydney on Sunday. The fans will be high on expectations to see their team lift the world title having already picked up last year’s European Championship.
Australia, who were backed by a magnificent home crowd in Sydney, has had an incredible tournament but can no longer win the tournament. Now their best spot is to secure a third-place finish when they face Sweden in the play-off on Saturday.
In the end, the Brits have seen off co-hosts to set up a classic World Cup final showdown with the in-form Spanish side to crown the new World Champions of Women’s Football. Both teams will be looking to add a world title to grab their first-ever World Cup title, so it will be interesting to see which side comes out on top to be tagged as the best in Women’s football.
