ENGLAND reached their first World Cup final since 1966 with a stunning 3-1 win over hosts Australia.
Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo sealed the Lionesses first ever Women’s World Cup final appearance as they celebrated a huge victory in Sydney.
Toone fired Sarina Wiegman’s side in front in the first half, running onto Russo’s cutback and rifling a venomous effort across goal and high into the net.
Kerr then levelled shortly after the hour mark when she collected the ball inside her own half, drove at the England defence and unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard screamer into the top corner.
But the Euros champions responded in superb fashion as Hemp curled home to regain the Lionesses lead.
And Russo capped a wonderful display with a late third as England now prepare to face Spain in Sunday’s final.
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England fans packed out pubs and bars across the country to support the triumphant Lionesses.
The historic result comes after the Lionesses had previously been eliminated at the semi-final stage in each of the last two World Cups.
They were beaten by Japan in 2015 and the USA four years ago – but now they are finally into the final.
And they will be looking to add to last year’s Euros glory when they return to Stadium Australia at the weekend.
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After media chat Down Under of Kerr being Earps’ kryptonite and attempts to talk up a rivalry, Wiegman’s aces would have been keen to show why their opponents were no match for the Euros champs in a major tournament.
Welcome to the Jungle was the line used by the Daily Telegraph Down Under after they revealed they had flown an aircraft over England’s training to film the session in action.
However, Wednesday’s game showed why the Lionesses are ready to become the new queens of world football as they overcame the team that ended their 30-game unbeaten run in April.
The tournament co-hosts were boosted by star striker Kerr making her first contest start despite being seen with an icepack on her leg yesterday.
But while Hayley Raso blazed a shot over the bar near the half-hour mark, the best chances of the game fell to the visitors.
England took a 36th-minute lead with Toone’s stunning angled finish partly silencing the home fans.
And Hemp, who put in a player of the match display, went close to making it 2-0 in the 43rd minute with a header, before the referee blew her whistle for a foul in the box.
The second half saw the hosts up the ante with England defenders Millie Bright and Jess Carter doing a good job of marshalling Kerr.
But their Chelsea pal later showed exactly why she is one of the world’s best strikers when she smashed in a corking leveller from distance after being given too much space on the ball.
But England refused to be overawed by the roar that followed that goal.
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And they retook the lead through Hemp after she latched on to an old-fashioned long ball forward from Bright.
And Wiegman’s warriors weathered a late barrage before Hemp teed up Russo to seal the win.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
