Euro winners England will now aim to be world champions on Sunday, 20th August 2023 after defeating Australia in Sydney. The Lionesses took the lead through Ella Toone in the 36th minute which was cut off by a second-half screamer from Sam Kerr in her first start of the tournament. With the game fantastically poised, an error from Ellie Carpenter let Lauren Hemp retake the advantage for England. Before setting up Alessia Russo with an exquisite pass to take the game away from the co-hosts.
Australia would have wished to get more from the game when their record-scorer let fly an absolute belter to level the match. However, they were punished for the mistake at the back in a crucial period of the game and the Chelsea striker missed two glorious chances to equalize. The incredible home support that pulled them to this stage proved not enough to see them off the line. The co-hosts bow out but won hearts with their spirit and performance.
The joy belonged to England who will now cherish the occasion to win two huge tournaments back-to-back. They will meet Spain in the showpiece final, the opponents they beat in the quarterfinals on course of winning their first-ever European Championship. Now, the Lionesses will have to beat the La Roja again to lift their maiden Women’s World Cup title. An incredible feat to add to their glorious tale so far.
Stats and Records
First
England has reached their first FIFA Women’s World Cup final in history after missing the chance in the last two editions. This is also the second World Cup final the nation will play since 1966 when the men’s team won it.
Genius
Sarina Wiegman has become the first manager to lead two different nations to the Women’s World Cup final after doing so with the Netherlands four years ago. She has also guided her team to the final in every major competition she managed (Euro 2017, Women’s World Cup 2019, Euro 2022 and Women’s World Cup 2023).
Second
England is just the second team to eliminate the tournament hosts to reach the Women’s World Cup final. The first was Germany who defeated the USA 3-0 in the 2003 semi-final.
Historic strike
Ella Toone has become the first England player, men or women, to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of major international tournaments. The Manchester United player found the net against Spain in the quarterfinals and Germany in the final of the Euros last summer along with the strike this game.
Record-setter
Lucy Bronze made her 19th Women’s World Cup start equaling the tournament record set by an England player with Jill Scott.
Unbeaten Streak
England is now unbeaten in all 19 Women’s World Cup games when they have opened the scoring in the match. The Lionesses have won all of the last 13 matches in the tournament when scoring first.
Second
Australia suffered just the second defeat in their last nine matches of the Women’s World Cup. The first came in this edition itself after going down 3-2 against Nigeria in their second match of the group stage.
