Six things we learned as England reach Women's World Cup final for the first time | OneFootball

England are through to their first ever Women's World Cup semi-final following a determined 3-1 semi-final win over co-hosts Australia in front of a heavily partisan Sydney crowd.

Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo scored the goals for the Lionesses, with Sam Kerr giving Australia hope of keeping their World Cup dream alive by equalising at 1-1 in the second half.

Sarina Wiegman's team will now go forward to face Spain in Sunday's final.

Wiegman is unrivalled in tournament football

Sarina Wiegman has done it again / Andy Cheung/GettyImages

Sarina Wiegman is the first coach in history to lead two different teams to a World Cup final, having taken her native Netherlands there four years ago in 2019. And when it comes to both European Championships and World Cups, she has still never failed to reach the final in four attempts.

Wiegman was a Euro 2017 winner with Netherlands, before taking them to the World Cup final two years later in only their second time qualifying for the elite global competition. She then conquered Europe again with England at Euro 2022 last summer and clearly knows better than anyone the art of managing a team through the intricacies of a tournament environment.

The 53-year-old is already a three-time Best FIFA Women’s Coach winner from 2017, 2020 and 2022, with top two finishes in 2018 and 2019, and third in 2021. A fourth win potentially beckons in 2023.

Grit & determination is queen

England simply refused to be beaten / Brendon Thorne/GettyImages

Ultimately, results are all that matter when one game can be the difference between going home and progressing to the next round. England have perfected it, starting poorly against Haiti, narrowly seeing off Denmark, flexing their muscles against China, but then clinging on by the skin of their teeth against Nigeria in the first knockout round.

Coming from a goal behind against Colombia to win 2-1 in the quarter-finals mirrored last summer’s last eight clash with Spain, while the Lionesses demonstrated incredible mental strength and resilience in front of a hostile 75,784 crowd at Stadium Australia against the co-hosts.

Facing up to that kind of atmosphere was always going to be an important test for England, so used to playing in front of big crowds at home, but not away, and using home advantage to its fullest this time last year on their way to becoming European champions.

The Lionesses could have wilted when Sam Kerr scored the spectacular Australia equaliser to buoy the crowd, but they hit back to re-take the lead within eight minutes and then saw the game out with an outstanding defensive performance, while Alessia Russo made sure at the other end.

"My thought was 'we're not going to give this away now'," said Wiegman afterwards.

An element of good fortune is always helpful when the margins between success and failure are so small and that was shining down on England when Sam Kerr missed a glorious chance for Australia to equalise at 2-2. The goal was gaping and the usually deadly Chelsea star, the face of this World Cup, could only direct her volley wide of the target instead of rippling the back of the net.

Moments later, England were 3-1 up when Alessia Russo made no mistake with her chance.

Had Kerr converted her golden opportunity, who know how the game might have played out.

System suits Hemp

Lauren Hemp was FIFA's player of the match / Zhizhao Wu/GettyImages

Lauren Hemp contributed to England’s Euro 2022 success, but she didn’t set the tournament alight like others did, even coming off the back of an outstanding club season with Manchester City.

Ironically her 2022/23 club season took a slight downward trajectory, but her World Cup has seen the 22-year-old shine. A slow start to the tournament that even saw her dropped for the group stage clash with Denmark is now a dot in the rearview mirror after a new position unlocked everything.

Typically a ‘number 11’ on the left flank, Hemp has been starting up front as a number nine in a dual striker system since the third group game against China. Her pace allows her to stretch the pitch for England and she has been more involved in decisive central areas.

A deadly instinct has become apparent in her game, with Hemp scoring similar goals against both Colombia and Australia, forcing and capitalising on defensive errors to hit the back of the net.

Russo hitting form at the right time

Alessia Russo has scored similar goals in successive games / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages

Alessia Russo’s form at this World Cup mirrors England’s form as a team. She came into the tournament following months of intense speculation over her club future, as well facing enormous pressure for her place in the starting XI amid competition from WSL Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly, who outscored in the league in 2022/23 by a factor of more than two to one.

England’s lacklustre start again Haiti and Denmark meant Russo was starved of meaningful service. She thrived against China but was once more isolated against Nigeria.

Although highly rated for her power, the 23-year-old doesn’t have a reputation as a clinical finisher and is often criticised for missing chances – as had been the case in 0-0 warm-up against Portugal last month. Even her iconic backheel against Sweden at Euro 2022 was the result of failing to convert a much easier opportunity first time round. But she showed against Colombia, where she scored the winner with a low finish across goal, and Australia, netting a similar chance to put the tie to bed, that she can step up in the most important moments and make the difference expected of her.

Spain are likely to dominate the ball in the final, so any chances that come Russo’s way on Sunday cannot afford to be squandered. But confidence should now be sky high.

Final selection dilemma

Lauren James is now available after suspension / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Sarina Wiegman has a major headache ahead of the final. Lauren James, England’s matchwinner against Denmark and X-factor against China, is back from suspension and available to play.

The question is whether the 21-year-old, who is arguably England’s most gifted player, will come straight back into the team. If she does, how does Wiegman fit in her in, as it could mean that Toone, fresh from her huge performance against Australia is the one to drop out.