On Wednesday, Stadium Australia will play host to a highly-anticipated semi-final tie between tournament co-hosts Australia Women and the reigning European champions England Women.
The Matildas prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout against France to secure their semi-final spot at the Women’s World Cup 2023, while the Lionesses managed to edge out Colombia in their last-eight tie
World Cup fever has taken hold in Australia after Tony Gustavsson’s side recovered from a shaky start to embark on a memorable journey to the final four.
After squeezing past the Republic of Ireland and losing to Nigeria in their opening two games, Australia’s campaign finally gained momentum in their final group game when they thrashed the Olympic champions Canada 4-0.
Denmark were then dispatched in the last 16, before Australia were involved in a nervy quarter-final tie against France, where penalties were required to find a winner following a tense goalless draw.
The subsequent shootout proved to be a dramatic one, but after 20 spot kicks, it was the Matildas who emerged victorious, sealing their place in their first-ever Women’s World Cup finals.
Australia, who are now just two games away from winning their home tournament, will take confidence from the fact that they are the only team to beat England since Sarina Wiegman took charge after recording a 2-0 friendly victory when the two nations met in April.
England have shown great determination and grit to eke out the results required to reach the semi-finals of a fifth successive major tournament.
After edging out Haiti and Denmark via 1-0 scorelines, the Lionesses showcased their firepower to wrap up the group stage with a commanding 6-1 victory over China.
Despite being second best for the majority of the last-16 tie against Nigeria, Wiegman’s side held their nerve to win on penalties and set up a tricky quarter-final meeting with 2022 Copa America finalists Colombia.
The Lionesses were forced to demonstrate their fighting qualities against Colombia, as they fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to strikes from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo, ensuring that England will appear in the semi-finals of a third consecutive Women’s World Cup.
While England may have lost to Australia in a friendly earlier this year, they are still yet to lose a competitive game in Wiegman’s tenure, and they will be looking to use that impressive record as inspiration when they take to the field in front of a hostile crowd in Sydney.
Since recovering from a calf injury, Sam Kerr has been utilised as a substitute in Australia’s last two games, but she is expected to be given her first start of the tournament for Wednesday’s semi-final.
The back four of Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley will be looking to help their country keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet.
As Australia’s current top scorer with three goals at the tournament, Real Madrid summer signing Hayley Raso will provide a meaningful goal threat from the right flank.
As for England, they are still unable to call upon the services of Lauren James, who will serve the final game of her two-match suspension.
Jess Carter, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood have proven to be a formidable force in the England backline, and they will need to be at their best again to thwart Kerr and co.
After scoring her second goal of the tournament against Colombia, Russo will be looking to add to her tally when she leads the line against Australia.
Australia Women possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Foord; Kerr, Fowler
England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly; Toone; Russo, Hemp
We say: Australia Women 1-2 England Women
England will have to contend with the majority inside Stadium Australia cheering on the home favourites, but the Lionesses have demonstrated throughout the tournament that they have the temperament to cope with the big pressure moments, and we think that they will edge out Australia to progress to the Women’s World Cup final for the very first time.
