England reached their first Women’s World Cup final with a 3-1 win on Wednesday over tournament co-hosts Australia, whose fairytale run ended despite a wonder goal from striker Sam Kerr.
After falling at the semi-final stage in the previous two World Cups, England will face Spain on Sunday, looking to add a world title to last year’s Euros triumph.
Attacking midfielder Ella Toone gave England a first-half lead to silence the crowd of 75,784 but a stunning strike for the Matildas from 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.
“This is the one thing I’ve always wanted, to make finals at a World Cup and after two times of getting huge disappointment, honestly I can’t believe it,” England fullback Lucy Bronze said.
Sarina Wiegman’s side clearly had a game plan to impose themselves physically on Australia, committing nine fouls in the first half as they nullified their opponents’ attacking options. Since leading her native Netherlands to a runners-up finish in 2019, Wiegman becomes the first coach to take two different teams to a World Cup final.
“This team has ruthlessness, whether up front or in defence... we really want to win and we stick to the plan, and it worked again,” the 53-year-old said.
England scored 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.
Australia started the second half much brighter, looking to create a historic moment that would match Cathy Freeman’s incredible 400m victory at the same venue during the 2000 Olympics.
And they got it in the 63rd minute when Kerr received the ball in her own half, ran toward goal and fired an unstoppable rocket into the top left corner. But the hosts found themselves behind again less than 10 minutes later.
Shortly after Kerr had missed a golden chance to equalise again, Hemp turned brilliantly on the halfway line before releasing Russo, who fired a low shot into the far corner to seal England’s place in the final.
A dejected Matildas squad, some of whom were reduced to tears, will now have to rally for a third-place playoff match against Sweden on Saturday. Kerr said they were proud of what they had achieved despite falling at the penultimate hurdle. “We can’t thank the fans enough, they’ve been amazing,” she said. “It’s hard to think about (the third-place playoff) now but we’ve got to pick ourselves up.”
Player of the Match Hemp said England would be ready to go again on Sunday. “Oh my god, what a feeling. I felt like there’s no word to describe what we all feel right now. It’s an unbelievable achievement. Getting to a World Cup final, it’s every kid’s dream,” the 23-year-old forward said.
