England secured their first FIFA Women’s World Cup final appearance following a thrilling 3-1 win over Australia in Sydney.

Ella Toone had given the Lionesses a first-half lead before Sam Kerr equalised for the co-hosts, but goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo set up a decider with Spain on Sunday.
It was an open game from the start and England were denied the lead inside the first 10 minutes, when Mackenzie Arnold saved Georgia Stanway’s shot with her right leg following a fine pass from Alex Greenwood.

England edged ahead on 36 minutes when Russo showed tenacity in the penalty area to pull the ball back for Toone to rifle a shot into the top corner.

But Australia levelled on 63 minutes with an even finer strike, as Kerr received the ball on the halfway line before running at her Chelsea team-mate Millie Bright and then unleashing a 30-yard rocket, which flew over Mary Earps.

Yet parity lasted just eight minutes as the Australia defence failed to deal with Bright’s long ball forward, and Hemp showed great desire and placed her shot beyond Arnold.

Kerr missed two great chances to equalise again for the Matildas before England made certain of their final spot with four minutes to go, when Hemp played a superb pass through to Russo and her angled drive beat Arnold.