Spain had qualified on Tuesday after beating Sweden

England to play Spain in women's World Cup final after 3-1 win over Australia

PHOTO/AFP/FRANCK FIFE - England players celebrate after winning the Australia and New Zealand Women's World Cup 2023 semi-final football match between Australia and England at the Australia Stadium in Sydney on August 16, 2023

AFP

16 de agosto de 2023 (15:43 h.)

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England reached their first women's World Cup final on Wednesday and will face a surging Spain after beating hosts Australia 3-1.

England's victory buried the hosts' dreams of a World Cup final after a campaign that took them to their first-ever semi-final.

Spain sealed their ticket on Tuesday by beating Sweden 2-1, meaning next Sunday's final in Sydney will feature two teams who have never played in a World Cup final before.

England took the lead in the 36th minute through Ella Toone with a cross-shot inside the box, while Sam Kerr (63rd) sent the home fans wild with a shot from outside the box that beat England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

But Lauren Hemp (71) took advantage of a sloppy Australian backline to make it 2-1, and Alessia Russo (86) made it 3-1 as the game drew to a close, a bitter pill to swallow for the home fans.

Cheered on by nearly 80,000 spectators at Sydney's Stadium Australia, the Matildas started with captain and goalscorer Kerr, who had played sparingly at the World Cup due to injury.

PHOTO/AFP/FRANCK FIFE - Australia striker Sam Kerr reacts at the end of the Australia-New Zealand Women's World Cup 2023 semi-final football match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 16, 2023

Throughout the day, the streets of Sydney were filled with fans wearing T-shirts, scarves and hats alluding to their women's national team.

But "the Lionesses", showing their European champion craft, were not intimidated by the massive public support. They kept a close eye on England's Chelsea star Kerr, who they know well.

Without the suspended Lauren James, their main attacking figure, England had Keira Walsh as their midfield architect, whose play gave them a slight hegemony in a cautious first half for both teams.

England's goal silenced the enthusiastic Australian fans, who were enthralled by the play of the skilful Mary Fowler, who was well controlled by the tough opposition defence.

The Matildas improved their possession in the second half, but struggled to create scoring chances.

Rather, it was the English who fired more shots at Mackenzie Arnold's goal and managed to take a two-goal lead in the closing stages of the game to seal the home side's farewell after a historic campaign.