England beat hosts Australia by 3-1 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final played in front of over 75,000 at Sydney Stadium. The goals for the “lionesses” were scored by Ella Ann Toone (36′), Lauren Hemp (71′) and Alessia Russo (86′), while Samantha Kerr (63′) scored for the Australians. Thus, England qualified for the grand final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they will face Spain.
The match started evenly, as both teams did not want to take any chances and waited for the opponent to make a mistake, and in the first half hour there were not many scoring opportunities. In the 36th minute, however, the English women struck their blow. After taking a touch from the left, Alessia Russo broke through well and played a pass into the Australian penalty area, with the ball falling to Ella Ann Toone, who with a great right-footed shot left home goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold no chance and England took a lead for 1-0.
The Australians tried to respond, as a few minutes later Katrina-Lee Gorry shot from distance, but England keeper Mary Earps saved. The home team continued to struggle to create chances in front of the English goal in the second half. In the 58th minute, the “lionesses” could have doubled their lead after a corner kick, but Millie Bright’s header was inaccurate. This is how it came to the 63rd minute, when after a good counterattack by Australia, their big star Samantha Kerr advanced with the ball and scored a great goal with a long shot, which equalized – 1-1.
England rallied immediately and could have quickly regained the lead after Lauren Hamp crossed well from the left in the 70th minute to find Alessia Russo who headed in, but her shot went inches wide of the goal. A minute later, however, after a long ball into the home penalty area by Millie Bright, the Australians’ Ellie Carpenter didn’t make a good tackle and Lauren Hemp capitalized on her mistake to knock the ball into the net – 2-1 for England!
Australian players immediately tried to press to get the goal back. First, Samantha Kerr headed wide from close range in the 83rd minute, and shortly after, Cortnee Vine shot but England goalkeeper Mary Earps saved. Two minutes later, Samantha Kerr again made a great miss, after taking a corner, the ball fell to her, but her volley from the small penalty area did not find the English goal.
The “lionesses” took advantage of these mistakes, who decided everything in the match literally in the next minute. After a good counter-attack, Lauren Hemp found Alessia Russo, who with a measured right-footed shot made it 3-1 for England in the 86th minute and brought tears to the Australian and home fans at Sydney Stadium.
So England will face Spain in the grand final on Sunday. For both teams, it will be a historic moment, as neither of them have reached the final phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup before. For Australia, the fight for the bronze medals remains, where they will meet the Swedish team.