In the second semi-final, England defeated Australia 1-3 with goals by Lauren Hemp of Manchester City, who also assisted on another.
England defeated Australia 1-3 on Wednesday, August 16, advancing to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 title match. In the second half, Australia’s Sam Kerr, a superstar, came close to scoring a comeback goal, but England’s top striker Lauren Hemp shone with a goal and an assist. Australia will now face Sweden for third place, while England and Spain will meet in the championship game on August 20.
In an effort to go to the first World Cup final, both teams gave it their all in one of the most significant games in their history. England took the lead in the first half thanks to a goal from Manchester United’s young midfielder Ella Toone, but famous striker Sam Kerr stunned everyone once more with a spectacular long-range goal to draw the game.
Lauren Hemp of Manchester City, who made history for the Lioness by scoring and providing an assist, dominated the second session, though. She did a good job of assisting Alessia Russo’s third goal, which concluded the game, in the 86th minute after she had already scored a wonderful goal in the 71st. Hemp has scored three goals so far in this competition, demonstrating that he is England’s best player.
After scoring 10 goals in their past two games and memorably eliminating Brazil in the group stage, France came into the contest as the favorite. But Australia, who had the advantage of playing at home, kept the score close for the whole 120 minutes at Suncorp Stadium in Queensland. France had five shots on goal, one more than Australia, but both sides had about equal possession. Australia advanced to their first-ever FIFA World Cup semi-final thanks to Cortnee Vine’s goal in penalties.
In the 63rd encounter, England took the lead thanks to a goalkeeping error by Catalina Perez of Columbia. She dropped the ball within a circle, which Russo easily slammed into the goal. To put an end to Columbia’s tournament run, England was able to maintain its lead in the last match.
Notably, England had just missed the finals in each of the previous two editions, but they broke their semi-final curse by putting up an outstanding performance at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (Stadium Australia). But just twice in the history of the World Cup has a team upset the hosts in the semifinals (Germany defeated the USA in 2003).
England Squads: Alessia Russo, Lucy Bronze, Niamh Charles, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, Lauren James, Georgia Stanway, Rachel Daly, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Jordan Nobbs, Hannah Hampton, Esme Morgan, Jess Carter, Laura Coombs, Chloe Kelly, Lotte Wubben Moy, Bethany England, Katie Zelem, Ellie Roebuck, and Katie Robinson
Australia Squads: Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Charlotte Grant, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Sam Kerr, Aivi Luik, Teagan Micah, Courtney Nevin, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Kyah Simon, Emily Van Egmond, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Lydia Williams, Tameka Yallop, and Ellie Carpenter