Izuchukwu Okosi
England on Wednesday reached the Women’s World Cup final for the first time as they spoiled co-hosts Australia’s party in Sydney.
Silencing a sell-out crowd at Stadium Australia with their 3-1 victory, the Lionesses became the first England football team since 1966 (men’s team) to reach a senior final on the world stage.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIt caps a sensational two years under manager Sarina Wiegman as England, crowned European champions for the first time last year on home soil, showed their superiority and know-how to see off an Australian side spurred on by a nation who have been inspired by the Matildas’ success.
Ella Toone gave England the lead in the first half with a superb first-time strike that sailed into the top corner.
The Lionesses controlled proceedings until the second half when Australia threw everything at them and star striker Sam Kerr – starting her first match of the tournament – struck a 25-yard stunner over goalkeeper Mary Earps’ head to make it 1-1.
But England, as they so often do, found a way back into the game when Lauren Hemp pounced on a defensive error to restore their lead, before Alessia Russo made sure of victory late on to set up a final with Spain on Sunday.
The English team will welcome back forward Lauren James who was suspended for two games after her foul on Nigeria’s Mitchell Alozie in the round of 16 game .
James missed the quarterfinals and semifinals matches against Colombia and Australia while Super Falcons’ Deborah Abiodun was suspended for three matches in the team’s first game against Canada for inadvertently lunging into an opposition.
The diminutive midfielder nicknamed ‘Ngolo Kanté’ would be a key player for the national team in their quest to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
