Richard Callis / SPP
England came up with a decisive 3-1 victory over the host country in Wednesday night’s semifinal match. They have clinched a spot in their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and will face fellow first-time finalist Spain.
The Big Story: England had to fight for its victory, but did so by scoring early and capitalizing on Australian defensive breakdowns. A remarkable goal by Australian star Sam Kerr energized the game but was not enough to keep the Matildas alive.
The Big Moment: England won the match with smart and precise goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, and Alessia Russo. But it was the 63rd-minute soaring strike from Sam Kerr, which equalized the match for a brief eight minutes, that made the stadium quake. This strike is almost certainly the goal of the tournament – one of the best World Cup goals ever, men’s or women’s.
What it Means: Entering Wednesday night’s semifinal, both Australia and England were looking to make history. Neither team had ever qualified for a…
