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England reached their first Women’s World Cup final after beating Australia 3-1 on Wednesday despite a wonder goal from Matildas striker Sam Kerr as the co-hosts’ fairytale run came to an end.
After falling in the semifinals in each of the previous two World Cups, England will face Spain on Sunday looking to add a world title to last year’s European Championship triumph.
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Attacking midfielder Ella Toone gave England a first-half lead to silence the crowd of 75,784, but a stunning strike from Kerr, making her first start of the tournament, squared things up in the 63rd minute as Stadium Australia erupted in euphoria.
However, Lauren Hemp restored England’s lead eight minutes later, before Alessia Russo put the result beyond doubt shortly before the end.
“This is the one thing I’ve always wanted, to make finals at a World Cup, and after two times of getting huge disappointment, honestly I can’t believe it,” England full-back Lucy Bronze said.
“We all dreamed of being in the final and all our family and friends who booked to stay here until the final because they all believed in us.
“At the same time, it’s been amazing to play against Australia in Australia. What a fantastic tournament they had as well.”
Sarina Wiegman’s side clearly had a game plan to impose themselves physically on Australia, committing nine fouls in the first half as they nullified their opponents’ attacking options.
England opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Russo worked her way to the byline before cutting the ball back, and Toone smashed it into the top-right corner for her first goal of the tournament.
The Matildas started the second half much brighter and began pressing England higher up the pitch, looking to create a historic moment that would match Australian sprinter Cathy Freeman’s incredible 400-metre victory in the same venue at the 2000 Olympics.
And they got it in the 63rd minute, when Kerr received the ball in her own half, ran toward goal and fired an unstoppable rocket into the top-left corner from 25 yards out, beyond the diving Mary Earps.
The stadium erupted as Australia fans finally got to see their star striker score at this tournament, reigniting hope that Tony Gustavsson’s side could yet play for the title.
But the hosts found themselves behind again shortly after.
Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter failed to deal with a long ball over the top from Millie Bright, allowing Hemp an easy finish into the bottom corner to restore England’s lead.
The 23-year-old Hemp was involved again as the game entered the final stages.
Moments after Kerr had missed a golden chance to equalise once again, Hemp turned brilliantly on the halfway line before releasing Russo, who fired a low shot into the far corner to seal England’s place in the final.
“They scored and they got momentum and the place erupted, and Hempo’s goal flipped momentum, which was really crucial,” Russo said. “And then to get 3-1, you can kind of settle a bit and see the game out.
“Spain is going to be even tougher, every single game that we’ve come into this tournament has been of the highest level, so we have to be ready, but we’ve been dreaming since we were little girls, so we’re excited.”
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