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Published 16 August 2023 5 min read
England Women's Senior Team

Australia 1-3 England - FIFA Women's World Cup match centre

Written by:

Oli Dickson Jefford

  • S. Kerr (63′)
FULL TIME
FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Semi-Final
Wednesday 16 August, 11:00 AM Accor Stadium
Australia
1 3
HT: 0 - 1
England national football team crest
  • E. Toone (36′)
  • L. Hemp (71′)
  • A. Russo (86′)
  • A. Greenwood (10′)
  • C. Kelly (95′)

The Lionesses secure their place in the FIFA Women's World Cup Final after beating the host nation in Sydney

16 Aug 2023 5:23

Highlights: Australia 1-3 England


See the best of the action from Sydney as the Lionesses secure a spot in the World Cup Final

Ella Toone celebrates the opening goal in the World Cup semi-final
Ella Toone celebrates the opening goal in the World Cup semi-final
Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo’s second-half strikes fired England into a first ever Women’s World Cup Final after an enthralling 3-1 triumph against hosts Australia in Sydney.

Despite some pressure from Australia, England were the better team in the first half, and deserved a 1-0 lead at half time thanks to Ella Toone’s powerful effort in the 36th minute.

Returning home hero Sam Kerr sent Stadium Australia into raptures with a stunning equaliser just after the hour mark, but Hemp’s 71st-minute finish saw Sarina Wiegman’s side back in front.

And, after some late Australian pressure, Russo sealed victory with less than five minutes of normal time to play, booking a date against Spain in Sunday’s Final.
The game came to life seven minutes in when Kerr, starting for the first time this tournament, ran onto a through ball and forced a good stop from Mary Earps - though the offside flag belatedly went up.

But that was enough to force the Lionesses to up their tempo, with Georgia Stanway forcing a good stop from Matilda’s ‘keeper Mackenzie Arnold following a stunning ball forward from Alex Greenwood.

Russo and Toone also looked bright for England early on, with the former seeing a speculative effort nestle into the side netting in the 17th minute.

However the hosts settled into the contest as the half went on, and during a dangerous spell of play Hayley Raso went closest, her effort from a corner deflected behind for a second corner, which nothing came from.
Hemp was one of England's stand-out players in the victory over Australia
Hemp was one of England's stand-out players in the victory over Australia
But they were behind shortly afterwards when Toone broke the deadlock with a fantastic angled finish from 12 yards out, giving Arnold no chance as she smacked the ball into the top corner.

Australia started their quest for an equaliser with a strong start to the second half possession wise but were unable to create clear chances, Caitlin Foord’s header easily dealt with by Earps.

Hemp came close with just before the hour mark a long-range half volley that forced a strong stop from Arnold, with Millie Bright bundling just wide from the resulting corner.

But just minutes later the hosts were level through Kerr, running with the ball from the halfway line before unleashing an astonishing effort from 25 yards out that Earps had little chance of keeping out.

The Chelsea striker was close to putting the Matildas in front just moments later, but a last-ditch tackle by club teammate Jess Carter was enough to force a corner.
Lauren Hemp slots home England's second goal to put one foot in the World Cup Final
Lauren Hemp slots home England's second goal to put one foot in the World Cup Final
But the Lionesses regrouped and came close to retaking the lead through Lucy Bronze’s chip, which swept across the goalline, and a header from Russo which crept just wide.

And Hemp restored England’s lead with just under 20 minutes to play, fed the ball by Bright before her low strike evaded Arnold and nestled into the bottom corner.

Kerr spurned two late chances for the Matilda’s, first heading over before later flashing wide from a corner, while Carter swept the ball away after Earps parried an effort from Courtnee Vine.

Though any late nerves were put to bed by Arsenal star Russo, who calmly received the ball from Hemp's reversed pass and netted from 12 yards out for England’s third.

And that was enough to power the Lionesses into the final, a first ever Women’s World Cup semi-final win after defeats at this stage in 2015 and 2019.

European rivals Spain await in Sunday’s final, with both teams aiming to seal a first Women’s World Cup triumph.
England: 1. Mary Earps; 16. Jess Carter, 6. Millie Bright, 5. Alex Greenwood; 2. Lucy Bronze, 8. Georgia Stanway, 4. Keira Walsh, 9. Rachel Daly; 10. Ella Toone, 23. Alessia Russo, 11. Lauren Hemp

Substitutes: 18. Chloe Kelly for Russo 87’, 3. Niamh Charles for Toone 90’

Substitutes not used: 12. Jordan Nobbs, 13. Hannah Hampton, 14. Lotte Wubben-Moy, 15. Esme Morgan, 17. Laura Coombs, 19. Bethany England, 20. Katie Zelem, 21. Ellie Roebuck, 22. Katie Robinson

Cautions: Greenwood 10’, Kelly 90+5’

Goals: Toone 36’, Hemp 71’, Russo 86’

Australia: 18. Mackenzie Arnold; 21. Ellie Carpenter, 15. Clare Hunt, 4. Clare Polkinghorne, 7. Steph Catley; 16. Hayley Raso, 19. Katrina Gorry, 23. Kyra Cooney-Cross, 9. Caitlin Foord; 20. Sam Kerr, 11. Mary Fowler

Substitutes: 5. Courtnee Vine for Raso 72’, 10. Emily van Egmond for Polkinghorne 81’, 8. Alex Chidiac for Gorry 88’

Substitutes not used: 1. Lydia Williams, 2. Courtney Nevin, 3. Aivi Luik, 6. Clare Wheeler, 12. Teagan Micah, 13. Tameka Yallop, 17. Kyah Simon, 22. Charlotte Grant

Goals: Kerr 63’
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