Hemp and Russo Fires England into 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final

August 16, 2023 James Gregory 2023 FIFA Women World Cup, England 2

(Image credit: @Lionesses)

Second half goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo fired England past Australia 3-1 into 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.

Ella Toone fired England ahead in the 36th minute with a tightly-angled strike, before Sam Kerr equalised for Australia with a 30-yard shot in the 63rd minute.

Hemp restored the Lionesses’ lead with a scrappy 70th minute shot in-between two Aussie defenders, before she played through Russo to complete victory in the 86th minute.

Speaking post-match to BBC One, Russo described her emotions as “buzzing” as she paid tribute to friends and family for their support, as she commented: “That’s why we do what we do on the pitch is because of all our friends and family. To celebrate with them now is really special.”

England will now meet Spain in the final at Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia, on Sunday 20 August at 11am UK Time.

Sweden meanwhile await Australia at Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia, on Saturday 19 August at 9am UK Time.

(Image credit: Reuters)

Pre-match, Australia sprung two suprises as Sam Kerr started for the first time at this tournament in place of Emily van Egmond, whilst Clare Polkinghorne came in for Alanna Kennedy – who was ruled out with illness.

England meanwhile named an unchanged line-up from their wins over Nigeria and Colombia, which weathered a cagey start, during which Mary Earps saved a seventh minute shot from Kerr who was offside from a long ball.

That nervy moment sparked the reigning European champions into life as two minutes later, Georgia Stanway pounced upon Alex Greenwood’s cross but Mackenzie Arnold prevented her shot from going in.

Rachel Daly then headed over in the 13th minute whilst Russo fired wide four minutes later as England began to open up Australia’s defence amidst an electric atmosphere amongst the home crowd.

Australia eventually began to dig their way back into this game as Hayley Raso saw a 25th minute header saved on the bounce by Earps, before she fired wide unmarked from a 30th minute corner after her low cross was blocked by Daly.

Neither team seemed likely to find a breakthrough goal before half time until Daly’s 36th minute throw-in was played by Lauren Hemp towards Russo, whose pullback pass found Toone unmarked from which she calmly rifled England ahead with a top-right corner strike.

Katrina Gorry desperately tried to drag the hosts level two minutes later but only managed to put her shot straight into Earps’ arms.

England eventually protected their lead to half time but could of doubled their lead in the 43rd minute as Hemp nodded Daly’s cross straight into Arnold’s arms, despite having fouled her defender as she got into position to meet the cross.

Australia however began the second half fired up as Kerr and Caitlin Foord saw headers saved by Earps in the first five minutes after half time.

England soon settled after those two early scares and missed a chance to move closer towards a first Women’s World Cup Final in the 57th minute, as Arnold punched away Hemp’s shot towards the top right corner before Bright nodded the subsequent corner wide.

Bright was soon made to pay for her error in the 63rd minute as Russo was dispossessed high up the pitch, from which Gorry played Kerr through to beat her Chelsea teammate and equalise with a stunning 30 yard strike into the far top left corner beyond Earps’ reach.

If that goal had Australia believing that a first comeback from behind at half-time in this tournament was on the cards, their dreams looked possible as Kerr flicked a 67th minute header forward towards the right corner but Earps made a crucial save.

The co-hosts however were dealt a huge blow in the 70th minute as Bright launched a long ball up the field, which Hemp managed to wriggle past Ellie Carpenter to flick across into the far right corner beyond Arnold’s reach.

Australia manager, Tony Gustavsson responded with a tactical change as Raso was substituted for Courtney Vine, but almost saw the game killed off in the 77th minute as Hemp teed up Stanway who rifled over the bar before Russo saw a shot deflected wide whilst Bright nodded the corner wide.

Vine almost restored parity in the 83rd minute but her shot was cleared despite having been spilled by Earps.

Mary Fowler saw a further shot denied a minute later but Kerr flicked over the bar from the subsequent corner.

Australia’s late sloppiness ultimately was punished in the 86th minute as Hemp charged up the pitch, from which she found Russo free to meet her through ball and drill across into the bottom left corner to wrap up victory.

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses eventually saw the game out to become the first England team to reach a senior World Cup Final since the men achieved that feat in 1966, and the first to do so on foreign soil.

Wiegman post-match praised her players for their quality and spirit to win this “hard” contest as she commented: “We scored three goals, in this team there is ruthlessness, up front and defence. We really want to win. We stick together and we stick to the plan and it worked again.”

The Dutch manager is the first boss to reach a Womens World Cup Final with two separate countries, let alone in consecutive World Cup tournaments, although this is her fourth final in five tournaments – having only failed to reach 2020 Olympics Final with Netherlands in last six years.

Wiegman consequently described that achievement as like “living a fairy tale or something?”

England will now meet Spain who they beat in the Quarter-Finals, en-route to 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro title last summer, as both teams bid to become World Champions for the very first time.

 

‘Phenomenal’

Upon the final whistle, celebratory tributes quickly began to flood in led by Prince and Princess of Wales, who hailed the Lionesses’ win as ‘phenomenal’, whilst symphathising with Australia.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla meanwhile hailed both teams as ‘an inspiration on and off the pitch’ following a thrilling game which ensured that both countries ‘are united in pride, admiration and respect.’

Ex England international and BBC Match of the Day host, Gary Lineker meanwhile led tributes from footballers past and present, including Beth Mead, Chris Kamara and Sue Smith.

Channel 4”s The Last leg host, Adam Hills meanwhile had mixed emotions as he hails from Australia but has a close fondness for England, as he praised both teams regardless of the result.

 

Teams

Australia: Mackenzie Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Clare Polkinghorne (van Egmond 81′), Steph Catley, Hayley Raso (Vine 72′), Katrina Gorry (Chidiac 88′), Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr

Substitutes: Lydia Williams, Courtney Nevin, Aivi Luik, Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, Alex Chidiac, Emily van Egmond, Teagan Micah, Tameka Yallop, Kyah Simon, Charlotte Grant

England: Mary Earps, Jess Carter, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Rachel Daly, Ella Toone (Charles 90′), Alessia Russo (Kelly 87′), Lauren Hemp

Substitutes: Niamh Charles, Jordan Nobbs, Hannah Hampton, Lotter Wubben-Moy, Esme Morgan, Laura Coombs, Chloe Kelly, Bethany England, Katie Zelem, Ellie Roebuck, Katie Robinson

Referee: Tori Penso (USA)

2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. Wiegman Hails England’s “fairytale” Win to Reach 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final – Sport Grill
  2. Carmona Fires Spain to 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Title – Sport Grill

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