England into World Cup final after 3-1 win over Australia
World Cup semi-final
England 3 Australia 1
Turns out, it was less of a rivalry after all. Instead, it was an exercise in perfect patience from England, who swatted aside the co-hosts Australia to book a place in a first World Cup final, at the third time of asking. The European champions will return here to face Spain on Sunday.
A goal from a resurgent Ella Toone was cancelled out by the talismanic Sam Kerr but Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo confined the home team to a limp but heroes’ exit.
The stage was set, Sydney fizzing with a gentle anticipation. People in suits headed to work wearing green and gold scarfs, children customised school uniforms, chalkboard signs outside coffee shops sold dreams not wares. As kick-off ticked closer the tension built, but this was not tension fraught with nerves, more hope. Win or lose, once the dust, or ashes (sorry), had settled, a much greater win was already taking place and would not be halted by the scoreline.
England were unchanged from the side that beat Colombia 2-1 in the same stadium. It was the first time Sarina Wiegman had named the same starting XI in back-to-back games at this World Cup, with an injury to Keira Walsh against Denmark and the suspension of Lauren James for treading on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie forcing her to tread an unfamiliar path after she fielded the same XI throughout last year’s Euros.
The big news was from the Australia camp was that Kerr would start. Although Tony Gustavsson had been ambiguous in his pre-match press conference on the availability of Kerr, the forward had been more emphatic about her readiness to start after the penalty shootout defeat of France.
Kerr replaced Emily van Egmond, and Manchester City’s Alanna Kennedy dropped out
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