England reach World Cup final despite Kerr stunner

[August 16, 2023]  SYDNEY (Reuters) - England reached the Women's World Cup final for the first time with a 3-1 win over Australia on Wednesday, breaking the hearts of the host nation and setting up an all-European title decider against Spain.
 
Ella Toone drove England's opener into the corner of the net in the 36th minute to silence the crowd of 75,784 but Australia captain Sam Kerr brought them back into it with a stunning run and strike from 25 meters out in the 64th minute. 

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Semi Final - Australia v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 16, 2023 England's Alessia Russo celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

The Matildas defense failed to deal with a long ball over the top seven minutes later, however, and Lauren Hemp nipped in to drill it into the net.

Kerr came close to scoring an equalizer but came up short and Alessia Russo powered home England's third four minutes from time to send the European champions, semi-final losers at the last two World Cups, into Sunday's final.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)

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