ENGLAND have booked their place in the Women’s World Cup final after a thriller with Australia in Sydney.
Ella Toone gave the Lionesses the lead in the first half after a bright start from Sarina Wiegman’s side.
Sam Kerr’s stunner levelled the tie for Australia in the 63rd minute before Lauren Hemp put England back in front.
Alessia Russo made it three to make sure the Lionesses will meet Spain in the final.
- Match result: Australia 1 (Kerr) – 3 England (Toone, Hemp, Russo)
- England team: Earps, Bronze, Walsh, Greenwood, Bright, Stanway, Daly, Toone, Hemp, Carter, Russo
- Australia team: Arnold, Polkinghorne, Catley, Foord, Fowler, Hunt, Raso, Gorry, Kerr, Carpenter, Cooney-Cross
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England fans STILL celebrating
England fans are still out in full voice at BOXPARK in London.
Credit: PA Credit: AP ‘I’m living in a fairy tale!’
We achieved the final! Unbelievable, it feels like we won the whole thing. It’s like I’m living a fairy tale or something?”
Sarina Wiegman
Nice touch
Keira Walsh was spotted making a classy gesture immediately after England’s win over Australia.
Following the final whistle, the England players could be seen celebrating their famous win.
However, Walsh’s classy gesture was also picked up by the TV cameras.
As her team-mates celebrated, she was spotted consoling Kerr.
The Australia star was visibly emotional after her country’s elimination from their home tournament.
Credit: BBC
White left in tears following England win
England legend Ellen White was left in tears on live TV after England progressed into the Women’s World Cup final.
Appearing as a pundit on the BBC, the former Lioness watched on as goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo fired England into the next round.
And at the final whistle she was overcome with emotion.
She said: “I have tears in my eyes.
“I feel emotional. What this team has done and legacy they have created. To finally say we are in a World Cup final is incredible.”
Credit: BBC Beth Mead reacts
England striker Beth Mead – who was ruled out of the World Cup due to an ACL injury – has reacted to the Lionesses’ incredible 3-1 win over Australia.
She tweeted: “WORLD CUP FINAL BABBYY, GET IN @Lionesses.”
‘We have found a way’
Speaking to BBC Sport about reaching the Women’s World Cup final, England captain Millie Bright said: “I don’t know. It’s a something we have wanted for so long.
“We had amazing success last summer but we’ve always known there is something missing and it’s always been the World Cup. To have that opportunity is incredible.
“Like Less [Alessia Russo] said before, the dream remains alive. Yet again we have found a way.
“The mentality of this group is something I have never seen before. That comes through Sarina and the belief she gives us.
“We can play so many ways – that is the beauty of this squad.
“Whatever an opponent throws at us we adapt and find a way to win. I’m really proud of the girls.”
Credit: Getty Ella Toone reacts
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the England midfielder said: “It feels unbelievable. I was speaking to the girls as we celebrated with the crowd and said ‘Wow, we are in a World Cup final,’ which is something you dream of as a little girl.
“It’s history and we are all over the moon, we already can’t wait for it!”
On her goal, Toone added: “The ball fell to me perfectly and I thought, ‘Why not just smack it?’ I’ve never hit a ball like that in my life, and the girls reminded me of that.
“It went top bins and I am just so happy I could help the team to the win tonight.”
Credit: Alamy Who will England play in the final?
The Lionesses will face Spain in the final of this year’s Women’s World Cup.
La Roja defeated Sweden 2-0 in the first semi-final yesterday to book their spot in Sunday’s final.
Say Less
Alessia Russo has now scored seven goals in 12 appearances at major tournaments for England, with only Ellen White and Fara Williams netting more for the Lionesses across the two competitions.
Hemp named Player of the Match
England forward Lauren Hemp has been named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance today.
Credit: Getty Celebrations continue in England
Fans of the Lionesses are already partying in London.
Credit: Alamy Credit: Getty ‘Unbelievable!’
Speaking to BBC Sport, England manager Sarina Wiegman said: “We achieved the final! Unbelievable, it feels like we won the whole thing but we didn’t.
“An away game at this incredible stadium, it was a hard game but again, we found a way to win.
“We scored three goals, in this team there is ruthlessness, up front and defence. We really want to win. We stick together and we stick to the plan and it worked again.”
“Australia have done an incredible job, really grew into the tournament. They had some set backs too and they had to win that last group stage game.
“They started playing better and Sam Kerr came back. We saw today why she’s so important to the team. What a performance from them.”
Credit: Getty Piers Morgan reacts
SunSport columnist Piers Morgan has heaped praise on the Lionesses following their 3-1 win over Australia.
He tweeted: “Never thought I’d get up at 3am to watch women’s football, but I did and it was brilliant. Love these @Lionesses – such great ambassadors for England.”
Is it coming home?
England will play against Spain in the final on Sunday, where Alexia Putellas and her teammates will be out to stop the Lionesses at the final hurdle.
Will Sarina Weigman’s women roar once more?
Have your say below on who will be victorious…
Talk of the Toone
Ella Toone has become the first England player (man or woman) to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of a major international tournament.
Credit: Alamy
‘Buzzing’
Speaking to BBC Sport, England striker Alessia Russo said: “Over the moon, incredible.
“We’ve been saying we’ve been dreaming of the semis but this is what it’s all about, a World Cup final with this group. Buzzing.
“When they scored they got momentum, the place erupted and then Hempo’s goal just flipped the momentum which was crucial so to get 3-1 you can settle a bit and see the game out.
“That’s why we do what we do on the pitch is because of all our friends and family. To celebrate with them now is really special.”
Credit: Getty Gary Lineker reacts
England icon Gary Lineker has congratulated the Lionesses for reaching the Women’s World Cup final.
He tweeted: “Well played @Lionesses. Absolutely superb performance. A World Cup final. A World Cup final at football. It’s been a while. What a wonderful achievement.”
Credit: Twitter ‘I can’t believe it!’
Speaking to BBC Sport at full time, England defender Lucy Bronze said: “The one thing I’ve always wanted to do is get to a World Cup final.
“After two times of such disappointment, I can’t believe it.
“We played how we wanted to, we were determined, resilient. We knew the crowd would be crazy and we talked about silencing them and at the end we did that.
“We all dreamed of being in the final, all our family and friends have booked to stay here until then because they all believed in us.
“It’s been amazing to play against Australia, in Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had but we’re in the final.”
Credit: Getty Full Time – Australia 1-3 England
Celebrations are underway back in England!
Credit: Reuters Credit: PA Credit: PA Full Time – Australia 1-3 England
The celebrations are only just beginning for England!
Credit: AP Full Time – Australia 1-3 England
The Lionesses have reached a Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history!
And what a way to do it!
England were phenomenal today, completely nullifying the threat of co-hosts Australia and their star player Sam Kerr.
Full Time – Australia 1-3 England
England are World Cup finalists!
I repeat – ENGLAND ARE WORLD CUP FINALISTS!!!
Credit: Getty 90+5. Australia 1-3 England
Kelly receives a booking.
One minute to play…
90+2. Australia 1-3 England
Another change for Australia.
Gorry is replaced by Chidiac.
90. Australia 1-3 England
SIX minutes have been added on.
England are just six minutes away from their first-ever World Cup final!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
