England reached their first Women’s World Cup final with a 3-1 victory over Australia on Wednesday, breaking the hearts of the host nation and setting up the all-European title decider against Spain.
Ella Ton led England’s opener to a corner in the 36th minute to silence the crowd of 75,784, but Australia captain Sam Kerr got the Matildas back inside with a stunning strike and volley from 25 meters in the 64th minute.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
But the Matildas defense failed to handle a long ball over the first seven minutes after that, and Lauren Hemp fired home.
Kerr came close to scoring the equaliser, but fell short, and Alessia Russo scored England’s third goal four minutes from time to put the European champions, who had lost in the semi-finals in each of the previous two World Cups, ahead.
