England, reigning European champions, will face Spain in the final of the Women’s World Cup on Sunday August 20, after their 3-1 victory against Australia, co-hosts, on Wednesday August 16 in the semi-finals in Sydney.
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Australia, supported by the fervor of an entire country, dreamed of a final at home. There was a huge piece left before the Grail, eliminating England in the semi-finals. In front of more than 75,000 fans dressed in yellow, the “Lionesses” had every intention of spoiling the party and reaching the final of a World Cup for the first time, for their third consecutive semi-final, after 2015 and 2019.
Legend Sam Kerr wasn’t enough
Briton Ella Toone kicked off hostilities in the first period by sending a powerful shot with her right foot straight into the opposite corner (36ᵉ) with a touch of the ball. Until the break, the Australians failed to reverse the trend. The Matildas, dominated in the game, often struggled to respond, faced with very offensive English.
Returning from the locker room, the legend Sam Kerr allowed the Australians to equalize, on a counter, after a crazy race for his 64ᵉ goal in selection (63ᵉ). Affected in the calf, Sam Kerr lived his first tenure since the start of the competition. She came into play against France in the quarter-finals in the second half. She had played for over an hour and converted her shot on goal.
The Australian legend’s goal was not enough. In the 71st minute, Lauren Hemp restored the lead to England. Australia, who had eliminated France in the previous match, pushed, notably with two equalizing balls. But the English hit the nail on the head with a counter-attack with a goal from Alessia Russo (86ᵉ). Ironically, last April, during a friendly match, the Australians had ended a series of 30 matches without defeat of the Lionesses, thanks to a victory (2-0) with a goal Sam Kerr.
In Sydney, Australia will not have achieved its objective after this defeat against England in the semi-finals. England will play for the title on Sunday August 20 against Spain for an unprecedented final. For its part, Australia will therefore play the match for 3rd place against Sweden on Saturday at Brisbane Stadium.