England ends Australia’s Cinderella World Cup run with 3-1 semifinal win
A bought out crowd at Stadium Australia in Sydney left with disappointment on Thursday as England knocked out the host nation with a 3-1 within the semifinals of the ladies’s World Cup.
Dominating each part of the sport, England was tactically extra sound for your entire night and extra poised tactically. Australia’s incapacity to mount a constant assault began their downfall, and quite a few defensive failings sealed the deal. A tense opening half hour gave method to the primary objective of the sport as defensive miscommunication precipitated England’s Emma Toone to have the ball at her ft within the field, earlier than delivering a thunderous strike into the highest nook.
The story of the primary half was physicality, as each groups got free reign to do loads of pushing and shoving. Coming into halftime England had the lion’s share of possession, out-passing Australia and controlling the sphere box-to-box, whereas bracketing Matildas star Sam Kerr and failing to provide her many alternatives.
It rapidly turned clear that if Australia was to have any hope it will want to return from some particular person heroics, which got here within the 63rd minute as Kerr took a cross at midfield and gave us the objective of the World Cup.
Australia’s celebration was short-lived, as one other defensive miscommunication led to the the Matildas backfield watching the ball meander towards the backline when Lauren Hemp pounced, slotting house one other objective.
It appeared as if the Matildas might have had an opportunity for some late-game drama, with Kerr having two extra alternatives at objective — however the Lionesses shut the door with an 86th minute objective that sealed the sport for England.
Whereas this was a profoundly disappointing end result for Australia, that is solely the start for the Matildas. The soccer staff has captivated a nation, just like how the USWNT did for the USA, and there’s no likelihood they’ll be neglected once more. The Cinderella story could be over, however the story of the Matildas is simply simply beginning.
In the meantime for England, this was the fruits of years of disappointment. This was the third-straight semifinal look for the Lionesses, and so they lastly acquired over the hump in a event the place expectations have been low as a consequence of harm.
Now England faces Spain on Sunday within the last of the World Cup. Drama goes to at a fever pitch, and it’s going to be an interesting, excellent ending to a tremendous event.
