Women’s World Cup: Lionesses through to final after win over co-hosts Australia
England have reached their first ever Women’s World Cup final after beating co-hosts Australia in Sydney.
An Ella Toone strike gave the Lionesses a half-time lead before Sam Kerr scored a superb 25-yarder to level.
Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo netted in the final 20 minutes to give England the win.
The Lionesses will play Spain in the final on Sunday, after they struck late to beat Sweden.
Both teams had chances to open the scoring in the first half. Kerr was denied by England goalkeeper Mary Earps but was ruled offside anyway before Mackenzie Arnold stopped Georgia Stanway’s close-range strike at the other end.
Toone played in Russo but she hit the side netting, before Australia’s Hayley Raso went close from a corner.
England did break the deadlock in the 36th minute after Russo found Toone in the area to power the ball into the top-right corner.
Australia came out quick after the interval and Kerr equalised with a strike of the highest quality when she dribbled from the halfway line before smashing the ball past Earps from long range.
Kerr then headed over the bar twice, while Russo and Lucy Bronze went close for England.
It was England who were that bit more ruthless in front of goal though. Hemp hit the back of the net when Australia failed to clear their lines and Russo added the third in the 86th minute after Hemp’s superb through-ball.
“My thought was ‘we’re not going to give this away now’,” said England manager Sarina Wiegman about Kerr’s equaliser.
“You are never sure. But it was later in the game so we got through.
“That was just an incredible pass [for Russo’s goal.
“The finish was really good too. I’m really happy with the performance and the players themselves are happy too.”
Cover Photo: “three lions. home.” by William Brawley is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
