‘Bring it home’- Fans react as England beat Australia 3-1 to qualify for FIFA Women’s World Cup final

England qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup final, as they beat Australia 3-1 at the Stadium Australia on Wednesday. Australia reached the final four for the first time after beating France in a thrilling penalty shootout. The hosts were dashed by England, but they’ve still got one more match to play in the tournament, against Sweden and have good chance to finish third.

The Aussies were dominated in the first half. But Sam Kerr’s equaliser, which might be one of the all-time great goals of the tournament, shifted the momentum towards the hosts. They created chances; Kerr and Vine came close to scoring and as they went all-out that left England to capitalise on their chances in the counter-attacks.

Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo’s goals sent England to the final

Ella Toone’s opening goal for England in the 36th minute, silenced the 75,784 spectators at Stadium Australia. However, Sam Kerr, the Australian captain, tied the score in the 64th minute with an incredible run and goal from 25 meters away. Seven minutes later, the Matildas’ defense was unable to stop a long ball over the top, and Lauren Hemp sprinted in to score and give England back the lead.

Alessia Russo scored England’s third goal four minutes from time after Kerr had a chance to tie the score, sending the European champions, who had lost in the semifinals of the previous two World Cups into Sunday’s final.

Russo, who scored the third goal, shares her thoughts post-match, “I am over the moon. We are in a World Cup final. We were dreaming of the semis before the tournament, but this is what it is all about. When they scored, they got the momentum and the place erupted. Hemp’s goal flipped the momentum back.” “(About their chances of winning on Sunday) Yeah why not? I think Spain will be even tougher. Every game we have gone into in this tournment has been of the highest level.”

It will be a great final to watch out for as both the teams haven’t won a World Cup. They will definitely try and win their maiden title on Sunday.

Here’s how fans reacted: