 England have reached the final of the Women's World Cup for the first time after a securing a 3-1 victory over Australia on Wednesday courtesy of goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo. The Lionesses faced a daunting challenge at Syndey's Stadium Australia in front of a loud and partisan home crowd, with the Matildas the only team to have beaten Sarina Wiegman's side in the previous two years and 37 matches. But they produced an accomplished, controlled and clinical display against their old rivals to make it third time lucky in World Cup semi-finals and will now take on Spain in Sunday's showpiece. Toone opened the scoring in the 36th minute but her effort was cancelled out midway through the second half by a magnificent solo effort from Sam Kerr, only for Hemp to capitalise on a defensive mix-up before Russo wrapped up the win late on to seal England's passage to the final. Wiegman named an unchanged XI for the match, with Lauren James serving the second of her two-game ban. Australia star Kerr was passed fit to start for the first time at the tournament, but centre-back Alanna Kennedy missed out through illness. The first chance of the match fell to the Chelsea striker, who showed no signs of her calf injury to race clear of England's high defensive line only to be denied by Mary Earps – though the flag was belatedly raised for offside. England should have taken the lead moments later when an excellent ball in behind the Aussie defence from Alex Greenwood released Georgia Stanway, but her volley attempt was too close to goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. Toone found the top corner with her brilliant first-half strike (Picture: Getty) The Lionesses' fluid attack was clicking nicely in the opening exchanges, with Russo hitting the side netting after a flowing move, and a very defensive Australia were struggling to pick up England's sniping runs in behind as Wiegman's side mixed){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
England have reached the final of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after a securing a 3-1 victory over Australia on Wednesday courtesy of goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
The Lionesses faced a daunting challenge at Syndey’s Stadium Australia in front of a loud and partisan home crowd, with the Matildas the only team to have beaten Sarina Wiegman’s side in the previous two years and 37 matches.
But they produced an accomplished, controlled and clinical display against their old rivals to make it third time lucky in World Cup semi-finals and will now take on Spain in Sunday’s showpiece.
Toone opened the scoring in the 36th minute but her effort was cancelled out midway through the second half by a magnificent solo goal from Sam Kerr, only for Hemp to capitalise on a defensive mix-up before Russo wrapped up the win late on to seal England’s passage to the final.