Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo proved to be the heroes for England as they dashed Australian hopes with a clinical 3-1 victory, securing their place in the Women’s World Cup final against Spain in a stunning turn of events in Sydney.
Having faltered at the same juncture on two previous occasions, the Lionesses left no room for error this time, securing their first-ever spot in the final.
The breakthrough came just minutes before halftime when Manchester United’s Ella Toone unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
A resurgent Sam Kerr, making her first start of the tournament, breathed life into the contest in the second half with a sensational goal, driving the ball into the net from an impressive 30-yard distance after a weaving run. The ecstatic home crowd of 75,784 erupted in celebration.
However, England was not to be denied. Lauren Hemp displayed her tenacity, muscling her way into the box to score, followed by Alessia Russo’s composed finish to seal the deal four minutes before the end.
The victory propels England into a highly anticipated final against Spain, set to take place at the same Stadium in Australia on Sunday. This showdown promises a thrilling encounter, with a new name poised to be engraved on the coveted trophy.
For England, this marks a turning point after falling short in the 2015 and 2019 editions, where they finished in third place on both occasions.
Under the guidance of coach Sarina Wiegman, who led them to a European title in 2022, the Lionesses displayed their mettle in a pulsating and partisan Stadium Australia, silencing the hopes of the home nation.
Australia, despite the defeat, achieved their best-ever World Cup performance and still has a third-place playoff against Sweden to look forward to.
As the final beckons, the spotlight is on England and Spain, as these formidable teams vie for the ultimate glory on the world stage.
