With a 3-1 victory over Australia, England has advanced to their first Women’s World Cup final.
The co-hosts’ incredible journey was ended by a stunning goal from Matildas attacker Sam Kerr.
Ella Toone, an attacking midfielder, gave England the lead in the first half of Wednesday’s match, but captain Kerr, who was making her first tournament start, tied the score after the break as Stadium Australia exploded in joy.
However, Lauren Hemp gave England the advantage again before Alessia Russo sealed the match just before the buzzer.
On Sunday, England will play Spain with the goal of adding a global championship to last year’s European Championship victory. England lost in the semifinals of the previous two global Cups.
Nine fouls were committed by Sarina Wiegman’s team in the first half as they shut down Australia’s attacking options, showing that they definitely had a game plan to dominate Australia physically.
Russo advanced to the byline and cut the ball back for Toone, who slammed it into the top right corner for her first goal of the competition to give England the lead in the 36th minute.
In the second half, Australia came out much more energetic and started pressing England higher up the field in an effort to equal Cathy Freeman’s amazing 400-meter victory at the 2000 Olympics in the same stadium.
When Kerr received the ball in her own half, she sprinted toward the goal and unleashed an unstoppable rocket into the top left corner from 25 yards out beyond the diving Mary Earps. This gave them the lead in the 63rd minute.
The moment Australia’s golden girl scored in this competition, the crowd exploded in celebration, giving Tony Gustavsson’s team newfound confidence that they could still contend for the championship.
But less than ten minutes later, the hosts were once again in the hole.
Ellie Carpenter, a Matildas defender, failed to intercept a long ball over the top from Millie Bright, which gave Hemp an easy finish into the bottom corner to restore England’s advantage.
As the game neared its conclusion, the 23-year-old was once again active. He made a beautiful spin on the halfway line, ran toward the net, and then passed the ball to Russo, who unleashed a low shot into the far corner to guarantee England’s spot in the championship game.
When England and Spain face off in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday at Stadium Australia, it will be their first time playing in the event.
On Saturday in Brisbane, Australia will play Sweden for third place.