England wins 3-1, makes first ever Women’s World Cup final

The Women’s World Cup semifinals have concluded and the two teams fighting for the title have been revealed: Spain and England will meet in a clash of two European heavyweights, both of whom have never previously made the tournament’s greatest showpiece event.

La Roja celebrates after Olga Carmona scored the winner against Sweden at Eden Park in Auckland on August 15.

La Roja has been one of the tournament’s most exciting sides, with its high-possession, high-scoring style. A huge wake-up call was delivered in the side’s 4-0 loss to Japan in the final group stage game, but the Iberian nation has been unstoppable since, defeating Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden along the way to the final.

In its semifinal against the Blågult, Spain shocked a team which vanquished the all-powerful US women’s squad.

Teenager Salma Paralluelo seemed to have won it for Spain with an 81st-minute strike which broke the deadlock, only for Sweden to level with a brilliant goal from Rebecka Blomqvist in the 88th minute. 

But with extra-time looming, Spain’s response was ruthless and immediate. Saving the best goal until last, Olga Carmona found the back of the net with a sublime effort from the edge of the box just 94 seconds after Sweden had made it 1-1. 

Competing at just its third World Cup, Spain is now within a game of winning the sport’s biggest prize having never before progressed beyond the round of 16.

Find out more how Spain beat Sweden to make the final here.

The Lionesses are set to take part in their first ever Women's World Cup final. Can they do the major tournament double?

The Lionesses have had up-and-down performances this tournament, opening with two relatively unimpressive 1-0 wins against Haiti and Denmark in the group stage before before thrashing China 6-1.

England then struggled mightily against Nigeria – which arguably deserved to win the match over 120 minutes – winning on penalties but losing star Lauren James to a red card and subsequent two-match ban for a stamp on the Super Falcons’ Michelle Alozie. A 2-1 comeback victory in the quarterfinals against Colombia led England to the huge match against the co-host in Sydney.

Ella Toone’s first-half goal gave England a deserved lead, before Australia superstar Sam Kerr produced a long-range stunner to draw the sides level in the second half.

But Ellie Carpenter’s error in defense allowed Lauren Hemp to restore England’s lead, before Alessia Russo ended Australia’s hopes with a goal on the counterattack as the Matildas went in search of an equalizer.

Find out more how England made history in a 3-1 win over Australia here.

Ella Toone scores England's first goal against Australia in their semifinal.

England star Ella Toone thinks her first-half goal against Australia was “the best shot I’ve ever hit in my life.”

The attacking midfielder drilled the ball into the top corner to give the Lionesses a 1-0 lead in the semifinal – a crucial time to score your first goal of the tournament.

“I enjoyed that one to be fair – probably the best shot I’ve ever hit in my life,” said Toone, according to FIFA.

“I’m just glad it went in the back of the net. Any way I can help the team succeed and get the win is what I’ll do. The ball fell to me in a great position and I just struck it and it hit nicely.”

Despite taking an early lead, England had to dig deep to defeat Australia after Sam Kerr tied the game with a rocket-like strike of her own in the second half.

Further goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo, however, wrapped up the victory for the European champion.

“We had everything today – grit, determination, character and belief.

“I think that’s the main thing: we always have belief, we always believe in ourselves, we always believe in the team. It was just an exciting game and we stuck to the game plan really well.”

A long evening for fans just keeps getting longer.

After watching England’s 3-1 victory against Australia, many are faced with long queues at train stations as they make their way home from Sydney’s Stadium Australia.

Cheers have been erupting as each train pulls into the platform. Some people are standing wall to wall, some are sitting on steps, and others are sleeping.

There is only one train station near the stadium. Some opted to walk 20 minutes to another nearby station, only to be told that there were no trains.

One mother, aged 72, and her son are trying to get from Sydney to Newcastle and think they may get home by 4 a.m. local time.

Hardly ideal when the game wrapped up around 10 p.m. Australia time.

Among the weary and deflated spectators on the platform were Jennie Gannaway (R), 72, and her son Christopher (R), 34, who left home in Newcastle at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning local time.

Australia coach Tony Gustavsson watches from the sidelines as his team faces England.

Australia’s head coach Tony Gustavsson was left to rue his team’s missed chances during the 3-1 defeat against England, while also acknowledging his players’ efforts.

“I feel for so many tonight when you look at this,” said Gustavsson, according to FIFA.

“The players left it all out there. I think that’s why the fans are thanking them … England was clinical tonight. We had a chance for 2-2. A couple of minutes later they scored [for] 3-1. It’s one of those games, unfortunately.”

Despite the defeat, Gustavsson has overseen Australia’s best-ever run at a World Cup – men’s or women’s. The team will next contest a third-place playoff match against Sweden on Saturday.

Asked about the support from the home crowd in Sydney, he said: “I am proud, but I’m also sad that we could have made them even prouder tonight with a win.”

Australia star Sam Kerr scores arguably the goal of the tournament in the semifinal between the Matildas and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 16.

Despite counting for nothing in the end, Sam Kerr’s stunning equalizer for Australia will live long in the memory.

The thunderous strike seemed like the result of all the frustration she has felt at this year’s World Cup – which, in truth, hasn’t really gone to plan.

As an isolated moment, though, Kerr will do well to ever produce anything as special.

When asked whether it was the best goal of her career, a dejected Kerr told reporters: “I don’t know, that’s for you guys to judge, not me.

“It felt pretty good at the time but not now.”

Kerr was locked in a brilliant battle with defender Millie Bright throughout the semifinal and the England star paid tribute to the Matildas striker’s brilliance.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Sam and I’ve wanted her shirt for a long time,” Bright told reporters, wearing Kerr’s match-worn jersey.

England’s 3-1 victory against Australia comes with a royal seal of approval.

Prince William, who is president of England’s Football Association, has joined a nation in celebrating the country’s first appearance in a Women’s World Cup final.

“What a phenomenal performance from the @Lionesses – on to the final!” William said in a post from Kensington Palace on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Commiserations to @TheMatildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup.”

Sam Kerr of Australia looks dejected after the team's 1-3 defeat and elimination from the tournament following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16.

Sam Kerr’s unbelievable goal in the second-half will be remembered as one of the finest moments of this tournament.

Straight after Kerr’s long-range equalizer, the crowd came to life in Sydney as Australian fans started to believe that a place in the final was within their team’s grasp.

“We can’t thank the fans enough, they’ve been amazing,” the striker said after the eventual 3-1 defeat.

“We felt the love all over the country. Just to see the support we’ve had has really pushed us on. Hopefully, this stays around because this has been amazing for us.”

More than 75,000 fans packed into Stadium Australia for the semifinal – a sure sign that the Matildas have captured the hearts of a nation over the course of this tournament.

England coach Sarina Wiegman, second right, congratulates her players in the huddle after the team's 3-1 victory at Stadium Australia on August 16.

England’s Sarina Wiegman knows a thing or two about success at major tournaments.

Following Wednesday’s semifinal win, she became the first coach, male or female, to reach a World Cup final with two different nations – having already done so with the Netherlands in 2019.

She lost against the US four years ago, but will be hoping to go one better with her impressive Lionesses.

Wiegman has now reached the final of four major tournaments – having also won the European Championships with both England and the Netherlands.

She credits her success to hard work and praised her England team for being so determined.

Sarina Wiegman spoke to CNN about the secrets of her success ahead of the World Cup. Read more about her incredible career here.

Sunday’s game against Spain will be England’s first Women’s World Cup final and the country’s first World Cup final – men’s or women’s – since winning the men’s title in 1966.

Victory in this tournament would also mark the team’s second major trophy in 13 months, having won the women’s European Championships on home soil last year.

“We played how we wanted to, we were determined, resilient,” England defender Lucy Bronze told the BBC after the 3-1 semifinal victory against Australia. “We knew the crowd would be crazy and we talked about silencing them and, at the end, we did that.

Can the Lionesses now go the whole way with a win against La Roja?

“Yeah, why not?” goalscorer Alessia Russo also told the BBC.

“Obviously, Spain’s going to be even tougher. I think every single game that we’ve [played] this tournament has been of the highest level, so we have to be ready.

“But we’ve been dreaming since we were little girls. We’re excited, we’ll get recovered and be ready.”

England fans celebrate inside Stadium Australia during the semifinal after Alessia Russo's game-sealing goal.

England fans may have been vastly outnumbered inside the stadium, but they made their voices heard in this semifinal.

While plenty in gold and green looked glum, England supporters were singing and dancing as they watched their side reach its first ever World Cup final.

Contrasting emotions as England retook the lead.

Fans of the Lionesses saw their side score three goals and they didn’t shy away from celebrating them in style.

Meanwhile, Australian fans looked stunned and deflated by the end. Sport often shows the gamut of human emotion and it’s all on display in Sydney.

England's Niamh Charles, Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh celebrate after the match as England progress to the final of the World CupSoccer Football at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, on August 16.

The full-time whistle blows on this thrilling semifinal, sparking celebrations among the England players.

It really has been a fantastic game: Ella Toone’s brilliant strike gave the Lionesses the lead before Sam Kerr – surely with the goal of the tournament – equalized for Australia with a spectacular, long-range effort midway through the second half.

England rallied superbly, however, and set up its first ever Women’s World Cup final thanks to goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.

It’s a heartbreaking end to the World Cup for the Matildas, who united a nation with their best ever run at the tournament.

Spain now awaits the Lionesses. After conquering Europe last year, can England add a Women’s World Cup title to its trophy cabinet? Or can La Roja deny what would be a historic double?

Is that the game done? It probably is.

Lauren Hemp has been fantastic today and she is the one to create England’s third goal.

The forward drives at the defense before slipping Alessia Russo through on goal. The striker makes no mistake and drives her shot into the bottom corner in the 86th minute.

England is on the verge of making its first ever Women’s World Cup final. Australia looks heartbroken.

It’s just been announced inside Stadium Australia that there are 75,784 fans in attendance for this semifinal – a near-capacity crowd in Sydney.

Most of them will be praying for an Australian equalizer as we enter the final 10 minutes of regulation time.

As things stands, England holds a 2-1 lead and is heading to its first Women’s World Cup final to face Spain.

Australia has a flurry of chances as the clock ticks down, the best falling to Sam Kerr as she slashes a shot wide from a corner.

Lauren Hemp of England scores her team's second goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16.

Momentum has shifted again!

After Australia equalized, it looked as though England was just hanging on, but less than 10 minutes later, the Lionesses have retaken the lead after a defensive blunder.

A long ball was sent over Australia’s defense but seemed to be running to safety.

Lauren Hemp didn’t give up though and her tenacity caused a mixup between Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, allowing the England forward to score in the 71st minute.

Australia looks stunned. It has a little less than 15 minutes to find another equalizer.

Sam Kerr of Australia scores her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16, in Sydney, Australia.

Simply, wow.

Australia’s Sam Kerr was dubbed as the poster girl of this tournament and she’s just lived up to that billing.

She picks the ball up just inside the England half and drives at the defense before unleashing an incredible shot from distance.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps has no chance, with the ball nestling into the top corner in the 63rd minute to make it 1-1.

Arguably the best goal of the tournament so far and Australia is now looking to take the lead.

From left to right, sisters Gemma Tsaousis, Yianna Tsaousis, and friend Bettina Askounis watch on nervously in Sydney.

Three friends from Sydney – like the rest of the stadium – have been on the edge of their seats during a tense game so far.

“The goal was a bit of a shock,” said Yianna Tsaousis.

These three semifinal attendees are Hayley Raso fans and want to see her get more of the ball.

“Her runs are amazing,” the three said, with Gemma Tsaousis adding: “We’re really happy with Sam Kerr’s persistence – even though she got a kick in the nose, she kept playing.”

Australia players walk out before the second half during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16.

It’s the first time Australia has been behind at this tournament and it now needs to find a way back into this match.

England looked very impressive in the opening 45 minutes and the Matildas will be hoping the Lionesses drop their level a bit.

The tens of thousands of Australian fans inside the stadium are making plenty of noise and are urging their side to launch a comeback as the second half kicks off.

Will an Australian player step up to be the hero? Or will England power its way to the final? Let’s find out.

England's midfielder Ella Toone celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup semi-final football match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 16.

A fast-paced half comes to an end and England holds a slender 1-0 lead against co-host Australia in Sydney.

Both teams have attacked well, but the Lionesses are probably deserving of their lead on balance, particularly given the quality of Ella Toone’s thumping strike into the top corner on 36 minutes.

For the first time this tournament, Australia trails at half-time and will have to come from behind in order to reach a maiden World Cup final.

England's Ella Toone scores their first goal against austra at Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia, on August 16.

Take a bow, Ella Toone!

The midfielder is normally the woman for the big occasion and she’s once again come up huge for England.

Nice work from the Lioness strikers creates space for Toone in the Australian box and she absolutely rockets her shot into the top corner of the net.

Wonderful technique and England takes a deserved lead in the 36th minute.

England's Georgia Stanway in action with Australia's Hayley Raso and Clare Polkinghorne during their semifinal clash at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 16.

England hasn’t impressed during the knockout stages of the competition and knew it needed to drastically improve in order to beat Australia.

The Lionesses have seemingly risen to the occasion and have looked very dangerous in the opening exchanges of this semifinal.

No goals yet, but England certainly looks more likely team to find the breakthrough.

The Matildas seem content on letting England have the ball and are looking to catch it on the counterattack.

Star striker Sam Kerr has been busy for Australia and always poses a threat.