(Sydney) The English, reigning European champions, qualified on Wednesday for the first World Cup final in their history against Spain, eliminating Australia (3-1), carried to the end by a whole stadium, and despite a jewel of Sam Kerr.
The “Lionesses”, 4th in the FIFA rankings, put an end to their curse: in six participations, England had never reached a final, third in 2015 then fourth in 2019.
Like Norway (1993 and 1995) and Germany (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009), England could chain two consecutive titles, with the Euro and the World Cup. Facing her on Sunday in Sydney, Spain will also play their first world final.
The English put an end to the dream course of the “Matildas” on Wednesday, who had found their starting star Sam Kerr and who were supported by an entire country and by the Australia Stadium in Sydney, won over to their cause.
Coach Sarina Wiegman, already a World Cup finalist with the Netherlands in 2019, therefore finds the final, after winning the Euro last year, with the English.
The Dutch (53) has transformed into a winning machine a selection hitherto confined to places of honor, and continues her mission, despite repeated injuries.
In an unusual blue shirt, the English were a perpetual danger in the Australian defense.
Despite good interventions (9th, 26th, 43rd) from Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who has become a national hero since the interminable penalty shootout won against France in the quarter-finals, the Australians, who were playing their first semi-final, left too many spaces.
Like the first goal of the English, too little pressed in the area. Served back by Alessia Russo, Ella Toone opened the scoring with a powerful shot from the right in the opposite corner, leaving Arnold (36th) no chance, his 17th goal with England.
As against Colombia (2-1), also carried by the Sydney Olympic Stadium, Millie Bright’s teammates suddenly extinguished the fervor of the 75,700 spectators.
But the enclosure woke up abruptly on a jewel of the icon Sam Kerr, coming from nowhere. Left alone, Sam Kerr unleashed a sublime shot from outside the area, which lodged under the crossbar of Mary Earps (63rd). His first goal of his fourth World Cup, the 64th of his 124th selection.
The match then intensified, thanks to the awakening of the yellow and green. The Australian captain almost doubled the bet just after her goal, but her header was captured (65th). It was without counting on British phlegm and efficiency.
While pressed by the finally sharp “Matildas”, the Lionesses regained the advantage, due to an error by Lyonnaise Ellie Carpenter, who let Lauren Hemp pass behind her back and deceive Arnold (71st), scoring his third goal of the World Cup.
While Sam Kerr saw her recovery of the right rise too high (84th), the English finally silenced the “Aussie”, when Alessia Russo made the break (86th) by perfectly crossing her shot.
After the goal, in the middle of the central circle, the Australian captain, hands on her knees, carried the regret and the pain of an entire country on her shoulders.
