Matildas V England 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final - SBS News

Key Points

• Austalia is out of the 2023 Women's World Cup after losing 3-1 to England.
• England's Lionesses secured a spot in Sunday's final against Spain.
• Australia will play in the third-place play-off against Sweden on Saturday

The Matildas have been knocked out of the Women's World Cup after suffering a heartbreaking 3-1 semi-final loss to England.

After Ella Toone gave the European champions the lead in the 36th minute, superstar captain Sam Kerr equalised with an extraordinary long-range solo goal in the 63rd minute to send the crowd of 75,784 into raptures.

But Kerr's heroics were in vain as Lauren Hemp scored eight minutes later to restore England's lead.

Sam Kerr equalised with a solo goal in the 63rd minute, but eight minutes later Lauren Hemp scored to restore England's lead. Source: AP / Alessandra Tarantino

Kerr, who was among Australia’s starting 11 for the match for the first time in the tournament missed two late chances to equalise. In the 86th minute, Alessia Russo sealed victory with a third goal, and progression to Sunday's final against Spain, in the 86th minute.

The loss condemns Australia to Saturday's third-place play-off against Sweden in Brisbane.

"It was one of those nights - I've said it before - tournament football is won and lost inside the 18 (yard box) and I think England was clinical tonight," said Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson.

"You have to understand that you sometimes play against a team that have a better night, and I think England had a better night than us."

Crowds across the country supported the Matildas

Fans in their millions were expected to be watching from their living rooms, pubs, restaurants and .

Melbourne's Federation Square had reached capacity before kickoff, with crowds being told to instead head to Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

The game was played in front of a crowd of more than 75,000 fans at Sydney's Stadium Australia. Source: AAP / Bianca de Marchi

A lucky few were able to catch a glimpse of the team on their walk through the city this morning while fans wait to hear whether captain Sam Kerr will start on the field or begin on the bench, as she has so far in the tournament.

The most successful football team in Australian history

Before the match, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said being the host nation was not putting pressure on his team.

The Australian team has been experiencing a rapid growth in support during this tournament. Source: Getty / Cameron Spencer

"It's amazing to see how many people support and believe in this team and in that sense we're looking at it more as fuel and energy than pressure,"he said.

"We don't look at it as heavy, we look at it as we get carried from underneath and built up and feel the belief in us."

The Matildas have already come further than any other Australian team, male or female, in a football World Cup.

In 2006, the Socceroos broke a 32-year drought to make it into the World Cup. They made it to the Round of 16 that year and had a similar level of success .

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2023-08-16 10:52:30Z
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