FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi-Final Match: Australia vs England 1-3 – The Lionesses Secure Spot in First-Ever Final Against Spain.
England vs. Australia FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Semifinal: Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo scored to cancel out Sam Kerr’s equaliser as England defeated Australia 3-1 at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.
Earlier in the half, Ella Toone hit a home run to help the Lionesses grab the lead. While the England women have reached their first Women’s World Cup final, manager Sarina Wiegman will be doing it for the second time following her World Cup campaign with the Netherlands in 2019.
During their most impressive journey in a Women’s World Cup, the Matildas held a nation spellbound. However, facing a dominant England team, their enchanting run came to an end.
Even the massive crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia, the majority of them donning yellow shirts and supporting Australia, couldn’t alter the outcome as England triumphed over the co-hosts with a 3-1 victory.
Ella Toone secured England’s lead in the first half. Following Australia’s Sam Kerr’s equalizer in the 63rd minute, the match swung in England’s favor as Lauren Hemp found the net just eight minutes later. Alessia Russo added another goal, extinguishing the hopes of the home fans.
England’s next challenge is a final showdown against Spain on Sunday in Sydney.
While an altered version of “Sweet Caroline” resonated and England’s stars celebrated through dance, the Australian players remained on the field, appearing dazed by the realization that their enchanting journey had reached its end. Gradually, they circumvented the perimeter of the pitch, a few of them wiping tears from their eyes, while fans applauded their remarkable World Cup performance. Despite the impending third-place match against Sweden on Saturday, this marked Australia’s finest World Cup finish.
Right from the start, Stadium Australia was on the edge of eruption, with resounding cheers each time Australia outwitted England’s pressure or when Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made a routine catch.
In their characteristically disruptive style, England took the lead with a goal resulting from a Rachel Daly throw-in during the 36th minute. Lauren Hemp received the ball and elegantly fed it to Alessia Russo near the endline. Russo’s pass found its way to Ella Toone, who unleashed a powerful strike from 12 yards out into the far upper corner—an insurmountable challenge for goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Sam Kerr, making her first tournament start following a calf injury, injected energy into the Matildas shortly after halftime. Embarking on a dribble toward the goal, she unleashed a shot from 25 yards out. While the ball took a slight deflection off England defender Millie Bright, it soared well beyond goalkeeper Mary Earps’ grasp.
During halftime, it’s likely that pundits and devoted fans were crafting arguments about Kerr’s inclusion in the starting lineup, given manager Tony Gustavsson‘s successful efforts to propel the team to the semifinal without her. The Matildas did experience a slow start in this match, aside from an early chance that Kerr didn’t quite capitalize on. However, Kerr’s reputation as one of the world’s premier players likely motivated Gustavsson’s decision to potentially surprise his counterpart, Sarina Wiegman.
Had Kerr converted her breakaway opportunity in the seventh minute, the game’s trajectory might have shifted significantly. Perhaps, if Kerr had enjoyed more playing time and scored a goal before this semifinal, the outcome would have been different. Given Kerr’s proficiency in converting her chances, her goal in the second half substantiated Gustavsson’s selection. Her willingness to even attempt such a shot showcased her importance to Australia’s lineup.
The Lionesses regained their lead in the 71st minute. A long pass from Millie Bright saw Lauren Hemp outmuscle Australia’s Ellie Carpenter for the ball, followed by a shot on goal. While Arnold managed to get a touch on the ball, she couldn’t prevent it from finding the back of the net.
It soon became evident that England, even with several players missing due to injury or suspension, were likely the most well-rounded team Australia had encountered thus far.
