England’s Lionesses are through to the World Cup final after showing their superiority on the pitch with a 3-1 victory against Australia.
Last year England were crowned European champions on home soil and now they will be in the World Cup final on Sunday against Spain.
In today’s game against Australia, Ella Toone gave England the lead in the first half with a superb first-time strike which sailed into the top corner. The Lionesses held a 1-0 lead at half-time.
In the second half, the breakthrough for Australia’s Matildas came when Kerr scored in the 63rd minute after picking up the ball just inside the Australia half.
But England retook the lead when Millie Bright sent a long shot from the backline up to a running Hemp who drew out the Aussie goalkeeper and fired into the goal in the 71st minute.
Then 15 minutes later, Hemp slipped through the Australians to pick out Russo on the edge of the box, who fired it into the back of the net making it 3-1 to England in the 86th minute. England then saw out the rest of the match, including six minutes of injury time.
Defender Lucy Bronze told the BBC:
“This is the one thing I’ve always wanted, to be in the final of a World Cup and after two times of getting such disappointment, I honestly can’t believe it.”
Manager Sarina Wiegman said:
“We played the game how we wanted to, we were resilient, determined, I couldn’t hear much else she was saying to be honest! We knew the crowd were going to be crazy tonight and she was saying about silencing them and I feel like we did that at the end after the third goal.”
The King has sent his “warmest congratulations” to the Lionesses on today’s win. In a message to the English team, he sent his “very best wishes” for the final against Spain on Sunday.
“My wife and I join all our family in sending the mighty Lionesses our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the World Cup, and in sharing our very best wishes for Sunday’s match,” he said.
He also recognised the team as an “inspiration” and said the UK and Australia have been connected in “pride, admiration and respect.”
“While your victory may have cost the magnificent Matildas their chance for the greatest prize in the game, both teams have been an inspiration on and off the pitch – and, for that, both nations are united in pride, admiration and respect,” he concluded.
England will now take on Spain for the World Cup trophy this Sunday at 11am UK time, after they beat Sweden 2-1 yesterday to book their trip to the final.
Photo credit: England Football
