ENGLAND BEAT CO-HOSTS AUSTRALIA 3-1 TO SET UP FINAL SHOWDOWN AGAINST SPAIN

The England Lionesses are through to their first Women World Cup final with Matildas of Australia conceding first World Cup goal since the second group game against Nigeria.

The co-hosts obviously had the Stadium Australia crowd an advantage but England the underdog drew the first blood in the 36 minutes with a curled home superb effort beating the Australian goalkeeper.

Australia levelled the score in the 63 minute through their top- notch striker Sam Kerr who returned to the starting Xi. The captain obviously was phenomenal, firing from 25 yards to beat the Lionesses goalkeeper.

The impact of England manager Sarina Wiegman who has tested tenacity, especially in their game against Nigeria in the second round was back in the Lionesses style of play. They played the ball closer to the middle, keeping possession and dominating play, spreading passes to the wings which produced some good crosses.

It didn’t take long before the home crowd in Sydney were silenced, thanks to Lauren Hemp who netted the second goal in the 71 minute for England to lead 2-1.

The Lionesses continued their sparkling form displaying composure and their effort paid off as Allessia Russo scored their third goal in the 86 minute to achieve a first Women World final and set up a final showdown with Spain.

‘’We achieved the final. It’s unbelievable, it feels like we won [the tournament] which we didn’t, we just won this game- in an incredible stadium, an away game, the way we played – it was a hard game but we found a way to win again’’ England coach Sarina Wiegman said.

She described the Australian team as one that grew from every game they have played despite the Matilda’s setback in the group stage which they got better and better.

England national team captain, Harry Kane who recently signed for Germany side Bayern Munich from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur was delighted with the Lionesses first Women World Cup final achievement.

‘’Massive congratulations to Lionesses. They deserve it.

‘’We are all behind them and hopefully they can do it in the final.’ Harry Kane said.

‘’We saw what happened when the Lionesses won the Euros and how much it brought the country together.

‘’I’ll be watching the final out here in Germany.’’ The England captain said to Sky Sports.

The kick- off for the final between England and Spain is 11.am. While the third place match between the co-hosts and Sweden kick- start earlier at 9.am.

Spain had defeated Sweden in their first thrilling semi- final match which ended 2-1 to set up the final showdown against England first in the Women’s World Cup final.