England defender Lucy, twice a losing semi-finalist, ecstatic to reach maiden World Cup final after 3-1 win over Australia; to meet Spain in Sunday’s finale
England’s Lucy Bronze (centre) celebrates their Women’s World Cup semi-final win over co-hosts Australia in Sydney yesterday. Pic/AP, PTI
England defender Lucy Bronze was elated after achieving a long-held ambition as the side reached their first Women’s World Cup final with a 3-1 defeat of tournament co-hosts Australia.
“The one thing I’ve always wanted to do is get to a World Cup final,” Bronze told the BBC after Wednesday’s semi-final win in Sydney.
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“After two times of such disappointment, I can’t believe it,” added Bronze, twice a losing semi-finalist. “We played how we wanted to, we were determined, resilient. We knew the crowd would be crazy and we talked about silencing them and at the end we did that.
“We all dreamt of being in the final, all our family and friends booked to stay here until then because they all believed in us. It’s been amazing to play against Australia, in Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had but we’re in the final.”
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European champions England took the lead through Ella Toone’s 36th-minute strike into the top right corner before Australia’s Sam Kerr, making her first start of the tournament, equalised with a long-range shot (63rd min).
Lauren Hemp (71st min), however, restored England’s advantage after firing into the bottom far corner from Millie Bright’s long ball upfield. Alessia Russo then put the result beyond doubt when she made it 3-1 four minutes before full-time, beating Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold with a well-struck low shot.
It was the first time England had reached a major football World Cup final since the men’s team beat the then West Germany 4-2 at Wembley back in 1966. They will now face fellow first-time Women’s World Cup finalists Spain in Sydney on Sunday. “Spain have been very good, they did have that defeat against Japan,” said Bronze, who plays her club football with Spanish side Barcelona. “Me and Keira [Walsh] know 90 per cent of the squad very well so we’ll be getting questions in the analysis I’m sure.”
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