Australia 1-3 England
SYDNEY, AUS–Stadium Australia has a special place in the hearts of both Australia and England fans. Australia because of Cathy Freeman winning the Women’s 400m Sprint at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 as well as Jean Aloisi scoring the winning penalty in 2005 to send Australia to their first Men’s World Cup since 1974. For England, it’s Johnny Wilkinson’s drop goal in extra time that defeated hosts Australia to win the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup.
On Wednesday night, England added another memory with a chance to win another as Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo led England to a 3-1 victory over co-hosts Australia to make their first ever Women’s World Cup Final against fellow Final debutante Spain. Australia will go to the third place game in Brisbane on Saturday to take on Sweden.
England had the early pressure in the first half and were later rewarded when Hemp found an oncoming Ella Toone in the 36th minute for the opening score. Australia pressed to respond in the second half and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute when Sam Kerr, who started and played all 90 minutes, charged down the pitch and beat Mary Earps far post to send most of the 75, 784 in attendance into ecstasy.
Eight minutes later, that ecstasy turned into agony as Hemp beat Mackenzie Arnold far post to put England ahead. The Matildas had three great chances to equalize a second time, including two for Kerr, but all missed their target. A minute after Kerr missed a shot wide, Hemp would find Russo to make it 3-1 and “Waltzing Matilda” would turn into “Sweet Caroline” for England.
For Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman, it will be her fourth major final taking the Netherlands to the final of Euro 2017 and winning, the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final with the Dutch as well, and taking England to the Final of Euro 2021 (played in 2022) and winning.
“I can hardly describe how proud I am of the team,” said Wiegman. “This team has adapted all the time. Before the tournament, during the tournament then this game again – how we came through and found a way to win again is so incredible.
“You make it to finals, it’s really special. I’m like, ‘Am I here in the middle of a fairytale or something?’”
As for Australia, it’s heartbreak at missing out on an unlikely final after a fairy tale run to the semifinals. What they do hope is that this run will inspire a generation of young girls to take up soccer and maybe lift the Cup one day–and that the federation gets more resources to allow that to happen.
“I’m happy that people believed we could win this tournament,” said Australia coach Tony Gustavsson.
“We felt that belief, we had this belief for a long time internally. We are maybe not as high ranked, or have as many big players or the same resources, but we have something else very special in this team.
“I don’t think it’s too early [to think about winning the World Cup], but I also think it’s just the beginning of something.
“We are maximising the resources we have right now. The return of the investment is very good but let’s invest more and be genuine contenders.”
That said, the hurt of losing in the semifinal will linger a bit.
“It sucks,” said Katrina Gorry A lot of emotions. It’s a tough one to swallow at the moment. But we’ll all get around each other, we’ll make sure that we’re ready to go for the next game, because we want that bronze medal. It’s dangling right in front of us; Australia has got us here so far, and we’re not going to let them down.”
The Final will be on Sunday at 5am CT in Sydney (FOX, Telemundo). A new champion will be crowned.
In other news: USA Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovsky has resigned from his position after a Round of 16 exit–the worst for the US in this tournament. Andonovsky was 51-5-9 overall with the USA, but only 3-2-5 in major tournaments, including a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Assistant coach Twila Kilgore is likely to be appointed as interim coach for two friendlies against South Africa on Sept. 21 and Sept. 24, though that deal has yet to be finalized.
