Australia vs England 1-3: Women’s World Cup 2023 semifinal – as it happened

It was a pulsating match that went back and forth, but in the end, England were the far more polished and clinical team.

Australia bow out of the tournament and will now face Sweden to determine who finish third on Saturday.

England on the other hand will go into Sunday’s final against Spain with much optimism but will be wary of their attacking threat.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of today’s encounter, and make sure to join us again when we cover the final two matches of what has been a phenomenal tournament.

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Women’s World Cup Final:

🇪🇸 Spain ⚔️ England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#FIFAWWC📷 pic.twitter.com/AkVwGx6O7T

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 16, 2023

Gustavsson shares his views: “I feel for so many tonight. The players left it all out there. That’s why the fans are thanking them.”

“It was one of those nights. England were clinical,” he said.

“We talked about our defending at half-time. I don’t think we were brave enough on the ball. In the second half we were better and dominated at times.”

“They were clinical in front of goal. England had the better night today in terms of those moments.”

It wasn’t to be, but the entire country is immensely proud of this team. Thank you for the journey you’ve taken us all on.@TheMatildas have done the nation proud, leaving a legacy well beyond this tournament. 💚💛#Matildas #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/dlEnkw233d

— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) August 16, 2023

England’s 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’s all about,” she said.

“When they scored, they got the momentum and the place erupted. Hemp’s goal flipped the momentum back.”

On England’s chances of winning on Sunday she said: “Yeah why not? I think Spain will be even tougher. Every game we have gone into in this tournament has been of the highest level.”

❤️🔥 @alessiarusso7 ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/MWvmVNvaQ9

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 16, 2023

FT | A heartbreaking end to our #FIFAWWC Semi-Final.

Attention turns to Saturday when we play Sweden for third place. #Matildas #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/zMshfbV9hq

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 16, 2023

Sarina Wiegman has managed at four major international tournaments in her career and reached the final in every single one.

◉ 2017 Euros: 🏆
◉ 2019 World Cup: 🥈
◉ 2021 Euros: 🏆
◉ 2023 World Cup: ⏳

Guess who’s back.#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/JQJMa4eQ1T

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 16, 2023

IT’S ALL OVER! 💪

The #Lionesses are through to their very FIRST #FIFAWWC final! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/iIaLciViDu

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 16, 2023

England are into the Women’s World Cup final for the first time and have a chance to beat Spain to win it all on Sunday!

The hosts look absolutely shell-shocked after courageously fighting back after being down a goal at the half.

Kerr truly gave it her all, but failed to capitalise on some missed opportunities down the stretch.

Full-time: Australia 1-3 England

The England midfielder goes into the referee’s book for blatantly carrying on a second ball onto the pitch from the sideline.

90+5 mins: Australia 1-3 England

It is an all-out effort to try to close the gap as time winds down on the Matilda’s campaign.

The England backline have been cool and collected in response so far.

90+4 mins: Australia 1-3 England

England sub off Russo and Toone in favour of Chloe Kelly and Niamh Charles.

Australia have subbed off Gorry for Alex Chidiac.

Meanwhile, we will have just six additional minutes of stoppage time.

90+1 mins: Australia 1-3 England

Russo gives England one foot in the World Cup final!

She is found on the right side by Hemp after a counter is sprung from the earlier corner.

She strikes a wonderful effort towards the far post which beats Arnold all ends up.

The Australian players look down and out as their World Cup hopes look done and dusted.

87 mins: Australia 1-3 England

Australia win a corner on the right side.

The ball pinballs between the players in the penalty area before landing perfectly for Kerr.

She tries to volley the effort to the top corner of the near post, but just misses her mark.

86 mins: Australia 1-2 England

Scratch that, this is the best chance yet.

Vine picks up the ball just inside the box on the right side.

She fires in a shot towards the far post, with Earps doing well to get a hand on it.

The resulting rebound lands in the path of a converging van Egmond, but her defensive marker gets to the ball just in the nick of time.

84 mins: Australia 1-2 England

This is their best chance yet of equalising.

A chip is sent in from outside the box on the left side. Kerr finds herself in a good position, but fails to flick on the chance with her head at goal, instead going aerial.

83 mins: Australia 1-2 England

Polkinghorne rushes off in favour of Emily van Egmond.

There was an earlier substitution with Cortnee Vine being brought on for Raso.

81 mins: Australia 1-2 England

It is taken from the right side, with a looping delivery sent into the box.

The ball finds Bright who tries her luck, but the ball goes well over the bar.

79 mins: Australia 1-2 England

Australia are putting it all out there on the pitch.

The tackles have come in thick and fast, with both sides working with urgency to try and secure a meaningful result.

75 mins: Australia 1-2 England

Hemp silences Stadium Australia with a goal that results from a defensive blunder!

A long ball from Bright bounces innocuously towards the Australian backline.

Hemp is in the thick of it, and is able to time her run and dislodge the ball away.

She quickly turns to fire a ground shot towards the far post from the left side of the box which completely deceives Arnold.

71 mins: Australia 1-2 England

England look for the go-ahead goal with Hemp sending in a cross from the left side.

It finds a towering Russo, who glances just inches wide of the far post, much to the relief of the home crowd.

70 mins: Australia 1-1 England

Out of nowhere, Kerr is playing like the superstar she is.

Australia win a corner on the left side that Cooney-Cross is tasked with taking. She sends in a lovely curving effort, which forces Earps to punch away at the far post.

The Matildas pick up the ball again with a cross issued into the box.

Kerr is on the end of it but fails to get the necessary power to trouble the England keeper.

The atmosphere in the stadium has changed completely, and Australian fans now believe they can go all the way.

67 mins: Australia 1-1 England