England book first-ever World Cup final spot with victory over Australia | OneFootball

England have booked their place in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final for the very first time by recording a 3-1 victory over Australia in Sydney this lunchtime.

Ella Toone’s thunderbolt gave the Lionesses a deserved first half lead. Australia were flat in large parts of the game but they levelled through a Sam Kerr wonderstrike just after the hour before Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo netted the all-important second and third goals for England.

England were unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 10th minute when Alex Greenwood’s pass found Georgia Stanway in the box. The midfielder tried to squeeze the ball inside the near post but Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold was able to make a block.

Russo then drilled an effort into the side-netting before Hayley Raso saw a shot deflected wide at the other end.

England broke the deadlock nine minutes before half-time when Hemp and Russo linked-up to create an opportunity for Toone to shoot. The Manchester United midfielder sent her rasping drive into the far corner of the Australian net.

Australia went close early in the second half but Caitlin Foord could only send a header straight at Earps before Hemp’s effort from distance forced a good save from Arnold at the other end.

The hosts had offered little quality in attack but they were level just after the hour mark. Kerr took aim at goal from 25 yards and the ball flew into the top corner of the England net.

England responded and Lucy Bronze’s cross almost looped in before Russo headed narrowly wide. The Lionesses then regained their lead when Australia failed to deal with a long ball and Hemp nipped in to score.

Kerr then missed two huge chances from close range, either side of a desperate moment for England which saw them hack the ball away following a Cortnee Vine shot. Russo then drilled home the Lionesses’ third goal late on to seal their place in a first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup final.

England will face Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final on Sunday morning.