da winzada777： The Manchester United star shook off her critics to set Sarina Wiegman's side on their way to a 3-1 win on Sydney that sets up a finale against Spain
da fezbet： England will face Spain in their first ever Women's World Cup final on Sunday after breaking the hearts of co-hosts Australia in Sydney on Wednesday with a 3-1 win. More than 75,000 fans packed into Stadium Australia, with the majority holding the hopes of seeing the Matildas achieve that feat, but goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo meant it was Sarina Wiegman's side that booked a return to the venue this weekend.
England started well and could've been ahead within minutes, but Georgia Stanway's half-volley was blocked by Mackenzie Arnold in the Australia goal. They did go in at the break with the lead, though, thanks to a bullet of an effort from Toone that flew into the top corner after good work down the right from Russo.
The Matildas were not going to go away, however, and after a couple of decent chances in the second half for England – Hemp seeing an effort well-saved by Arnold before Millie Bright headed wide from a corner – it was captain Sam Kerr that sent Stadium Australia into raptures. Driving at Bright, and realising that her Chelsea team-mate wasn't going to close her down, Kerr unleashed a strike from 25 yards out that flew past Mary Earps and produced an incredible roar inside the ground.
But England did well to wrestle back momentum and shortly after Russo saw a header drop just wide of the far post, Hemp fired the Lionesses back into the lead, pouncing on some hesitant defending from Ellie Carpenter.
Australia had two huge chances to get back on level terms and both fell to Kerr, the exact player they'd want them to. But the Matildas' star couldn't flick Mary Fowler's cross beyond Earps, instead nodding it well over, and then missed an even bigger opportunity when she failed to hit the target from six yards out. Only moments later, she watched Hemp race down the other end and slip in Russo to finish the game off and send England into the final instead.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Stadium Australia…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Ella Toone
This was an incredible redemption story for Toone, whose place in the England team has been questioned time and time again both before and during this tournament, with her form having dropped a little.
The Manchester United star was an excellent super sub during the Euros last year, and while there were many pondering whether returning to that role would help her and benefit the team, Sarina Wiegman stuck by her No.10 and that faith paid off on Wednesday.
With the game extremely tight in the first half, it was Toone who broke the deadlock with a fierce strike inside the box that flew into the top corner. It'll do her confidence the world of good and, in turn, surely benefit her all-round game.
It also gives Wiegman a big decision to make this weekend as Lauren James, who had excelled in that No.10 role before her red card against Nigeria, will be available again after suspension.
AdvertisementGettyWINNER: Lauren Hemp
Hemp was in flying form when last year's Euros came around, but it felt like we never really saw her hit top gear in the tournament on an individual level, even as England went on to lift the trophy.
This World Cup, however, has been a different story. Moving into a role as one of two strikers, she has thrived alongside Russo and this was her best performance yet in Australia – and probably even her best yet in an England shirt.
Her directness caused plenty of problems, her energy was a nuisance that allowed her to score her goal and her desire to run at players was what allowed her to set up Russo for the third. What a brilliant display.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Sam Kerr
When Kerr smashed the ball into the top corner of the England goal to level the scores on Wednesday, it looked like this was going to be her fairy-tale night. After missing all three group-stage games with injury, she was slowly reintroduced in the knockout rounds and marked her first start of the World Cup with an incredible strike.
However, the two huge misses that followed when the Lionesses were still only 2-1 up will haunt her. A little glance on Fowler's cross would've levelled the scores, but she made too much contact and sent it over the bar. A more composed finish when the ball fell to her six yards out, moments before Russo made it 3-1, would have, too. But it wasn't meant to be and it will hurt her.
"Knowing Sam, she probably thinks that goal was worth nothing," Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson said afterwards. "She's a winner. I know she's upset she missed the two chances. That's how she's wired."
Getty ImagesWINNER: Jess Carter
There have been some tricky moments for Jess Carter in this tournament, with her targeted by Australia's pressing in this game and hitting some poor passes as a result.
But the Chelsea star is a really, really good at defending, even if she's not the most comfortable on the ball of England's back three, and she showed that in this game generally, but particularly at the end.
When Earps saved Cortnee Vine's shot late in the game, Emily van Egmond was ready for a tap-in at the back post until Carter intervened. It was a crucial intervention and the defender deserves huge credit for it as well as for her performances in this tournament.