England have qualified for a first ever World Cup final after defeating co-hosts Australia 3-1 in Sydney.
An Ella Toone strike and goals from striker Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo cancelled out a Sam Kerr wonder goal for the Matildas and means England will now fight for a first ever World Cup title against Spain on Sunday.
It was a deserved victory for the Lionesses, as they controlled much of the game, winning the midfield battle, and punishing Australia's mistakes at the back with devastating efficiency.
Toone scored the opener in the 36th minute after getting on the end of a Russo pass and rifling a shot into the top corner of the Australia goal, as the co-hosts struggled to play through England's midfield and five player defence.
Just when they looked out of it, Kerr scored one of the goals of the tournament as she drove at the goal and hit a piledriver of a strike in the top corner from more than 25 yards out, but a fatal miscommunication from Ellie Carpenter and keeper Mackenzie Arnold allowed Hemp to score less than 10 minutes later, and Russo sealed England's passage to the final with a goal on the counter attack late on.
Whilst it was a tough night for Australia and not the performance they were hoping for, they can be proud of what they have achieved and how they have brought the country together.
MORE: Women's World Cup top goal scorers
Australia vs England result
| Final Score | Goalscorers | |
| Australia | 1 | Kerr 63' |
| England | 3 | Toone 36', Hemp 71', Russo 86' |
Projected lineups:
Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18. Arnold (GK) — 21. Carpenter, 15. Hunt, 4-Polkinghorne (van Egmond 81'), 7. Catley — 16. Raso (Vine 72'), 19. Gorry (Chidiac 88'), 23. Cooney-Cross, 9. Foord — 11. Fowler — 20. Kerr
England starting lineup (3-4-1-2): 1. Earps (GK) — 16. Carter, 6. Bright, 5, Greenwood — 2. Bronze, 8. Stanway, 4. Walsh, 9. Daly — 10. Toone — 23. Russo (Kelly 88'), 11. Hemp
MORE: When is the World Cup final?
Wiegman wins the tactical battle
With both sides being evenly matched on the pitch, it was always going to come down to which coach could outclass the other, and it was Sarina Wiegman who was able to outfox Tony Gustavsson in the dugout.
Despite missing Lauren James once again, she stuck with the 3-4-1-2 shape utilised in the later rounds of the tournament, and it both neutralised Australia's attacking threat, and also saw them have a numerical battle in the midfield.
Gustavsson sent his players out to be too passive, as Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway had far too much time and space to ping long balls around the pitch and take control of the game, and despite causing the Lionesses some problems in the latter part of the game, the Matildas never had any semblance of superiority in the match.
Gustavsson was also too slow to make the changes, with the game beginning to get out of reach for Australia by the time Vine and Chidiac entered the field.
Kerr gets her World Cup moment
Despite the match ending in heartbreak for Australia, there was one brilliant moment to cheer as Sam Kerr finally got her moment in the sun during the World Cup.
Having missed the group stage through injury and only coming off the bench in the previous two matches, she started up front in this massive match, and she delighted the 75,000 in the stadium and millions around the country in the second half with her fantastic goal that pulled Australia back into the match, albeit briefly.
It was a great moment for Australia's inspirational leader, who has not had the tournament she has desired due to her injury problems, but she will remember that moment for the rest of her life.
She was not helped by a lack of service for much of the rest of the match, and missed a guilt edged chance in the dying embers of the match.
Can England win the Women's World Cup?
It was a performance Sarina Wiegman would be extremely proud of, as her charges overcame a hostile environment to overpower Australia and make the final.
They were stout in defence, only conceding through a moment of magic from Kerr, and what's more they were clinical in punishing Australia's mistakes for the second and third goals, which is what is needed at World Cup level.
They have got so much class and quality in attack, with the likes of Beth England and Chloe Kelly struggling to get a run in the side due to the form of Russo and Hemp
With Lauren James set to return for the final after her suspension, England's quality on the pitch and depth in numbers increases, and they will be favourites to win a first ever World Cup, and a second major tournament in just over a year.
Australia vs England live updates, highlights from 2023 World Cup
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FULL TIME: Australia 1-3 England
It's all over in Sydney as England end their semifinal curse and progress to the World Cup final for the first time ever! They put in a strong performance that nullified the Matildas and saw them control the majority of the match. Sam Kerr gave the Matildas and Australians around the country hope with a wonder goal midway through the second half, but a defensive mistake allowed England to retake the lead, and Alessia Russo sealed victory for England. They will now meet Spain in the final, whilst Australia will play the third placed playoff against Sweden.
90+4 minutes: Chloe Kelly is given a yellow card for time wasting.
90th minute: Another change for England as openign scorer Ella Toone is replaced by Niamh Charles. There will also be six minutes of added time. Can Australia pull off a miracle?
88th minute: The goalscorer is done for the night as Russo is replaced by Kelly, and Australia take off Gorry for Chidiac.
86th minute: GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! THAT COULD BE GAME OVER AS ENGLAND GET A THIRD! The Lionesses break with devastating effect, as the ball is slid to Russo, who calmly finishes past Arnold!
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85th minute: Kerr, she had to score that! The ball falls to her from the corner, but she smacks it way too hard and it flies over. Was that the chance for Australia?
83rd minute: Foord puts a ball in for Kerr, but her header has too much elevation and its well over the bar. Soon after Australia break again and Vine has an effort on goal that requires a diving stop by Earps.
82nd minute: Catley has moved to centre back, and Cooney-Cross has shifted to right back as a result of the change.
81st minute: Australia make a second change, as van Egmond replaces Polkinghorne, surely a switch in shape here.
76th minute: Another sold out crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia!
72nd minute: Australia make a change in response, as last week's hero Vine replaces Raso.
71st minute: GOOOAAAALLLL!!!! ENGLAND LEAD AGAIN AND IT'S A HOWLER AT THE BACK FOR AUSTRALIA! Carpenter looks to be shielding the ball, but is pushed off by Hemp, who slots it past a stranded Arnold.
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70th minute: Russo almost puts England back in front, but her header is just wide of the goal.
69th minute: The game finely poised now, Australia still not at their best but are level, which team will kick on and win this match?
65th minute: When her country needed her most, the captain stood up, the atmosphere has lifted massively here!
63rd minute: GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!! SAM KERR YOU STAR!!!!!!! FROM NOWHERE AUSTRALIA ARE LEVEL!!!!! She drives deep at the heart of the England defence and unleashes a piledriver of a shot into the top corner, Earps doesn't have a hope. Stadium Australia erupts, what a goal!
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59th minute: Australia have some subs warming up, and you'd think they need to come soon, as the Matildas don't look like turning this game around.
57th minute: Lauren Hemp gets off a good shot from distance, and it forces a good save from Arnold.
49th minute: Fowler hangs a ball up at the back post for Foord to attack, but the header is poor and straight at Earps.
46th minute: A huge 45 minutes for both sides, can Australia overhaul the Lionesses, or will their magical journey come to an end?
HALF TIME: Something has to change for Australia, they are giving England's midfield far too much time on the ball and are being stifled by England's three centre backs. A tactical switch and potentially changes in personnel are required.
HALF TIME: Australia 0-1 England
England hold a 1-0 lead as we head into the break, and it is deserved on the balance of play as they have moved the ball much better and enjoyed much more control than the co-hosts, particularly after Ella Toone's wonderful opener. Australia have had their chances, but they haven't been able to get Sam Kerr into the game at all and look too passive.
45th minute: There will be just a minute of added time.
39th minute: Gorry has a shot from distance, but its straight at Earps. Australia need to up the intensity and quality in the final third.
36th minute: GOAL! ENGLAND LEAD THANKS TO ELLA TOONE! Neat buildup play by the left byline leads to Russo cutting the ball back to Toone, and with acres of space she smashes the ball into the top corner giving Arnold no chance.
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34th minute: Australia break with purpose through Raso, and thee ball finds its way to Carpenter, but her cross is a poor one and way over her teammates in the box.
30th minute: Catley's corner floats to the back stick, and Raso's shot is deflected for another corner.
28th minute: A lot of strong challenges from both sides disrupting the rhythm of this one, but England have looked better on the ball it has to be said.
22nd minute: England have completed nearly 100 more passes than their opponents in the opening part of this match, will it transfer into a goal for the Lionesses?
17th minute: Quick bit of interplay from England gives Russo a chance, but she can only slam her shot into the side netting.
15th minute: Both sides looking to go long and utilise their pacy front players, who will break through first?
10th minute: Australia threaten to break through Kerr, but she is cynically fouled by Greenwood, who picks up the first booking of the match.
9th minute: Stanway huge chance! She gets on the end of a looped long ball, and pokes a volley at goal, and Mackenzie Arnold has to be alert at her near post to stop her!
7th minute: Kerr almost opens the scoring for Australia! Gorry wins the ball in the middle of the park and sends a long ball to the returning skipper. However, Earps makes herself big to deny the superstar. The roof would have come off the stadium had she scored that one, though the play was called back for offside.
6th minute: Neither side giving much away to begin this match, with both jostling to gain control in the middle of the park.
2nd minute: I was genuinely expecting to have more England fans in the stadium than France and Denmark had in the last two matches, but they are barely a drop in a green and gold ocean at Stadium Australia!
KICK OFF: The second semifinal begins at Stadium Australia, strap in for a gripping match between the Matildas and the Lionesses!
3 mins from kickoff: The anthems are done, including a rousing rendition of Advance Australia Fair, kickoff is just around the corner!
7 mins from kickoff: The teams are out on the pitch, and the noise as Stadium Australia is truly deafening!
15 mins from kickoff: Kickoff is fast approaching, which team will get off to a better start in the biggest match of many of these players lives?
30 mins from kickoff: What is already a special night for the Matildas is even more so for Katrina Gorry, with the crucial midfielder Katrina Gorry making her 100th appearance for her country.
50 mins from kickoff: The Matildas are out for the warm up, and are greeted to a huge from the Stadium Australia crowd!
1hr from kickoff: The crowd is slowly building, with some already in the stadium and tens of thousands more congregating outside the stadium for the biggest match in Australian history.
1hr 15 mins from kickoff: The starting lineups are in, and so is Sam Kerr! The Australia captain starts her first match of the tournament in place of Emily van Egmond, whilst Tony Gustavsson has also made a change at centre back, with Clare Polkinghorne replacing Alanna Kennedy, who has been ruled out of the match due to illness.
Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18. Arnold (GK) — 21. Carpenter, 15. Hunt, 4-Polkinghorne, 7. Catley — 16. Raso, 19. Gorry, 23. Cooney-Cross, 9. Foord — 11. Fowler — 20. Kerr
England are unchanged, with Ella Toone operating in the place of the suspended Lauren James once again. Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo start up front looking to continue their goalscoring exploits from the quarterfinal.
England starting lineup (3-4-1-2): 1. Earps (GK) — 16. Carter, 6. Bright, 5, Greenwood — 2. Bronze, 8. Stanway, 4. Walsh, 9. Daly — 10. Toone — 23. Russo, 11. Hemp
2 hrs from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the monumental semifinal clash between Australia and England at the World Cup. This is easily the biggest game in Australian football history since the Socceroos' famous qualifier against Uruguay at the same stadium way back in 2005, and in truth, this game is probably bigger. Whilst many neutrals may be backing the Matildas, European champions England are looking to create their own slice of history and qualify for a first ever final after losing at this stage in the last two tournaments. You do not want to miss this match.
Australia vs England lineups, team news
Australia's charge on a best ever World Cup run has been boosted by the return of superstar captain and leader Sam Kerr, who missed all of the group stage due to a calf injury sustained just before the opening match of the tournament.
The forward played the final 10 minutes in the Round of 16 win over Denmark, before entering the field against France after 55 minutes and playing all the way through extra time and scoring a penalty in the shootout, with a good chance she will now have enough minutes in the legs to start the game against England.
As much as Australia look a more dangerous side with her in it, it does create a selection headache as coach Tony Gustavsson must alter a winning formula to fit her in, with Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond being the most likely to make way for Kerr's return.
It depends on whether Gustavsson wants to start Kerr, Fowler and Caitlin Foord together in a bid to overwhelm the Lionesses with attacking quality from the beginning, or if he chooses to move Fowler to the bench as a game-changing option off the bench; in such a big game, we predict he will go all guns blazing.
Australia projected starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18. Arnold (GK) — 21. Carpenter, 15. Hunt, 14. Kennedy, 7. Catley — 16. Raso, 19. Gorry, 23. Cooney-Cross, 9. Foord — 11. Fowler — 20. Kerr
England will once again be without the services of exciting attacking midfielder Lauren James, as she serves the final match of her two-game ban for a violent conduct red card against Nigeria in the Round of 16; Ella Toone replaced her in the attacking midfield spot of the 3-4-1-2 Sarina Wiegman has adopted for the latter games at the tournament.
Toone's performances have been underwhelming and she is not the perfect fit for the new system used by Wiegman, with some predictions of a reversion to a four at the back after James' suspension, but the England boss stayed with the new shape in the quarterfinal and will most likely keep it again against Australia.
With a lack of ready-made replacements, Toone will have a good chance of keeping her place in the side, with Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp looking good to start again up top after goalscoring performances against Colombia.
Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh will line up in central midfield once again, while Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood will start in the back three unless any late injuries force changes in a defence that has impressed at the World Cup.
England projected starting lineup (3-4-1-2): 1. Earps (GK) — 16. Carter, 6. Bright, 5, Greenwood — 2. Bronze, 8. Stanway, 4. Walsh, 9. Daly — 10. Toone — 23. Russo, 11. Hemp
Australia vs England live stream, TV channel
Fans around the world will be able to watch the co-hosts and European champions fight for a spot in the final on both TV as well as online live streaming options. Channel Seven in Australia will be showing the game live and free in Australia, where there have been record viewing figures all tournament, while BBC One will be showing all the action in the UK.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX | Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish) |
| UK | BBC One, RTE 2 | BBC iPlayer, RTE Player, BBC Sport Web |
| Australia | Optus Sport, Channel Seven | Optus Sport, 7Plus |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN 5, RDS, CTV | TSN+, RDS app, CTV App, Noovo |
| India | DD Sports | FanCode |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 NZ, Prime TV | Sky Sport NOW, Prime TV |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | meWATCH |
| Hong Kong | Now Sports Prime | Now Player |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA+ |
Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.