Women’s football

ENGLAND face Spain in their first-ever Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.The Lionesses made history by defeating tournament co-hosts Australia in the semis to advance.
England beat Australia 3-1 to earn a spot in the World Cup finalCredit: AP
The Lionesses will make their first-ever World Cup final appearance on SundayCredit: Alamy
Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessio Russo secured a superb 3-1 win in Sydney, sending the nation into pandemonium.
Pubs up and down the country were packed as supporters roared the Lionesses to victory.
And now they are preparing for the biggest match of all.
England defender Lucy Bronze summed it up, saying reaching the final is something “we all dreamed of.”
READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
She added: “This is the one thing I’ve always wanted, to be in the final of a World Cup and after two times of getting such disappointment, I honestly can’t believe it.”
Final opponents Spain will not be an easy team to beat – even though they were not expected to make it to the final in the first place.
They may be flying high in Australia and New Zealand, but for the past year La Roja have been forced to deal with some serious issues behind the scenes – including an ongoing feud between the players, the coaching staff and the Spanish FA.
England are approaching the final as narrow favourites – and for good reason.
Most read in Football
The Lionesses are yet to lose a competitive match under the management of Sarina Wiegman.
And they are still flying high from last year’s European Championship triumph.
In another huge boost to the Lionesses, star player Lauren James is set to return from her two-game suspension meaning Wiegman will have a full squad to pick from.
For England, the World Cup is there for the taking – and SunSport gives you four reasons why…
Super Sarina
THE Lionesses have played 38 games in almost two years under the management of Wiegman and have lost just once.
That defeat came in a friendly against Australia (ironically) back in April.
The Lionesses are yet to lose a competitive match under WiegmanCredit: Getty
Nevertheless, that wrong was put right when England beat the Matildas on their home soil in Sydney.
Wiegman and her players are also enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run.
Euros success
ENGLAND are European champions.
The Lionesses stormed to victory at Euro 2022 last summer, beating Germany 2-1 in the final to claim their first-ever major title.
The Lionesses have momentum from Euro 2022Credit: PA
In the build-up to that historic day at Wembley Stadium, they defeated the likes of Norway, Austria, Northern Ireland, Sweden – and Spain.
England earned a 2-1 win over the Spaniards in dramatic fashion at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.
Esther Gonzalez opened the scoring in the 56th minute before Ella Toone levelled the score ahead of full time.
Georgia Stanway then left Jorge Vilda’s side stunned after she fired the Lionesses ahead during extra-time.
England know that they can beat Spain at a major tournament, they’ve done it before, so that should give them the mental edge over La Roja.
James to return
WINGER Lauren James is set to return to the England squad following her two-match suspension.
James received a red card for stamping on the back of Michelle Alozie during England’s round-of-16 match against Nigeria last week.
James is set to return to the England squad for the final following her banCredit: Getty
She did not feature against Colombia or Australia as a result, but the 21-year-old will return on Sunday.
It is yet to be seen whether or not she will fit straight back into Wiegman’s starting line-up, with Ella Toone impressing in the semi-final.
She may have to settle for a spot on the bench, despite having three goals and three assists to her name at the tournament so far.
Protests and unrest
SEVERAL Spanish stars have been embroiled in an ongoing feud over the past year.
Last September, 18 senior Spain players – including Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas – went on STRIKE and protested a series of issues involving members of the coaching staff as well as the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
Spain have been embroiled in an ongoing feudCredit: Getty
Sources told The Athletic that they pointed to a lack of professionalism from the RFEF and complained about the behaviour of certain members of Jorge Vilda’s coaching team.
Some allegedly claimed that they were asked to keep the doors of their rooms open before midnight in hotels where they were based and forced to show the contents of their bags if they bought something during a training camp.
Despite claims that Vilda had created a toxic atmosphere among the camp, the RFEF stood by the manager.
And many fans and players were left angered as a result.
Despite this, all-but three players jumped at the chance to go to the World Cup ahead of the tournament while the feud was swept under the carpet.
Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina all made themselves unavailable for selection for the 23-woman squad.
And despite their absence, Spain have been able to advance all the way to the final.
But there is still some friction among the players and the staff.
After being substituted in the 57th minute of Spain’s semi-final clash with Sweden, Alexia Putellas completely dismissed Vilda and his assistant coach before taking to the bench.
Several Spanish stars have also been filmed ignoring the manager on a number of occasions throughout the tournament.
While Spain’s progression to the final can be seen as a huge success on the pitch, it has also seen a collection of off-pitch issues rise to the surface once again.
La Roja have also endured a mixed tournament.
They have won all-but one game on their way to the Women’s World Cup semi-final.
Read More on The Sun
Spain suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Japan in the group stages after thrashing Costa Rica and Zambia 3-0 and 5-0 respectively.
Vilda’s side then went on to beat Switzerland and Netherlands to make it to the semi-finals before defeating Sweden. More

ENGLAND’S heroic Lionesses have sent the country into pandemonium after making history in Australia. Sarina Wiegman’s side struck gold Down Under as they progressed into England’s first World Cup final since 1966.
England’s heroic Lionesses made history in AustraliaCredit: AFP
England fans were in pandemonium as the Lionesses reached the World Cup finalCredit: AP
It is England’s first World Cup final since 1966Credit: PA
Fans were in raptures across the countryCredit: Reuters
While the Aussies were left heartbroken

Ella Toone’s stunning strike was followed up by cool finishes from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo for England to see off co-hosts Australia with a hard-fought 3-1 win.
And the countdown has now begun before Sunday’s final against Spain, who like England, are in the Women’s World Cup final for the first time in their history.

While it was joy for England, Australia were left heartbroken.
Many supporters of the co-hosts at the match in Sydney were in tears as the Matildas crashed out.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Back at home, England fans were toasting success in pubs up and down the country.
There was chaos at BOXPARK Wembley as supporters, many in face paint, erupted over early morning pints.
Many were draped in St George’s flags as they went wild as the Lionesses did them proud – and even better, got one over the Aussies.
England hero Gary Lineker took to Twitter to praise the Lionesses, tweeting: “Well played @Lionesses. Absolutely superb performance. A World Cup final.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
Ella Toone opened the scoring with a stunning goalCredit: Getty
Lauren Hemp put England back aheadCredit: Getty
Alessia Russo sealed the deal for the LionessesCredit: Getty
England boss Sarina Wiegman celebrated with captain Millie BrightCredit: PA
“A World Cup final at football. It’s been a while. What a wonderful achievement. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.”
SunSport columnist Piers Morgan joked it was revenge for the summer’s controversial Ashes series, writing: “England’s fabulous@Lionesses crush Australia’s wilting Matildas 3-1 in their own back yard to reach the Women’s World Cup Final…
“Sweet revenge for the Jonny Bairstow Ashes runout debacle.
“Congrats ladies- you’ve made your country proud! 👏👏👏.”
England reaction
England defender Lucy Bronze declared it was a dream come true for her and her team-mates.
Speaking to the BBC, she 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 boked 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.”
Sarina Wiegman hailed her England team in an emotional interview with the BBC, saying: “The way we played… of course it was a hard game but we found a way to win. You’ve been talking about ruthlessness all the time, in this team there is ruthlessness. Whether it’s in attack or defence, we really want to keep the ball out of the net.
“We stuck to the plan. I think [Australia have] done an incredible job. They really grew into the tournament. They’ve had some setbacks too… they had to win the last game in the group stage. As a team they are really tough to play against. Yeah, what a performance.
“[On reaching a second World Cup final]. I don’t know. I just said… am I in a little fairytale or something?”
Injury-stricken Lioness Beth Mead praised her team-mates as she said: “WORLD CUP FINAL BABBYY, GET IN @Lionesses 🥳🥳🥳.”
Amazing journey
Despite huge injuries to Mead, Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby impacting the squad before the tournament, the brave Lionesses have overcome each obstacle they have faced so far.
England kicked off their tournament with a stuttering 1-0 win over Haiti, before felling Denmark with the same score six days later.
BOXPARK Wembley saw some of the wildest celebrationsCredit: Getty
Fans were draped in St George’s flagsCredit: Getty
It was tears of joy for England fansCredit: Getty
A screening at Canary Wharf also saw supporters celebrating the Lionesses successCredit: PA
While the Aussie crowd appeared glum after falling to defeatCredit: Getty
A Lauren James-inspired England then roared into life as they thrashed China 6-1 in their final group stage match.
However, it was James who soon became the pantomime villain after her needless red card against Nigeria in the Last 16.
Penalties followed after a goalless affair.
But the Lionesses held their nerve, with Chloe Kelly’s rocket of a penalty seeing us through to the quarter-finals, where our the side – captained by Millie Bright – faced off with Colombia.
Once again the opponent proved to be tough, with the South Americans taking the lead shortly before half-time.
But a last-gasp first-half equaliser from Hemp sent England into the interval level before Russo netted the decisive winner as England marched into the semi-final.
The Matildas, bolstered by a returning Sam Kerr, would prove to be the biggest hurdle of all.
Toone’s first half strike was cancelled out by a Kerr stunner in the 63rd minute.
However, Hemp fired the Lionesses back in front eight minutes later, shoving off her marker before slotting her shot into the bottom corner.
The Women’s Super Leagues first million pound star Russo then sealed the deal with her tidy finish into the bottom corner in the 86th minute.
Read More on The Sun
With the win England’s Lionesses have made history by reaching their first World Cup final.
And we’re all desperate for them to repeat their trick of winning the Euros last year.
A Sky reporter was caught up in the celebrations in Australia More

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.
England reached a first World Cup final since 1966Credit: PA
Ella Toone opened the scoring for England nine minutes before half-timeCredit: Reuters
The sensational strike gave the Lionesses the lead at the breakCredit: AFP
England’s players stormed off the bench to celebrate with RussoCredit: Reuters
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.
READ MORE ON WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
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.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Sam Kerr equalised with a second-half stunnerCredit: Reuters
The Australian striker brought her country roaring back into the semi-finalCredit: Reuters
Lauren Hemp put England back in front with 19 minutes remainingCredit: PA
Hemp netted just eight minutes after Kerr’s levellerCredit: Reuters
Alessia Russo added a third for England in the closing stagesCredit: Reuters
Kerr and her Australian team-mates were left devastatedCredit: Getty
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. 
Australian fans were seen crying in the stands as the hosts exited the tournament
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. 
Read More on The Sun
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. More