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LIONESSES PLAYER NOTES: Lauren Hemp steals the show as Alessia Russo and Ella Toone deliver when it counts in 3-1 semi-final win over Australia
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England reached the World Cup final with a stunning 3-1 win over tournament hosts Australia on Wednesday.
Ella Toone gave the Lionesses a first-half lead before Sam Kerr’s superb second-half equalizer gave Australia hope.
Lauren Hemp fired England in the 71st minute, and Alessia Russo sealed the historic victory with a late strike, setting up a thrilling final against Spain on Sunday.
Mail Sport’s IAN HERBERT delivers his Lionesses of Down Under player ratings.
Lauren Hemp was Mail Sport’s player of the game with an 8.5 rating after his crucial goal
England (3-4-1-2)
Mary Earps – 7
Restores confidence in the English defence. Couldn’t get close to Kerr’s phenomenal strike, but made a vital one-handed save from Cortnee Vine.
Jesse Carter – 7
Combative performance to help fend off the Kerr threat. Occasional possession error but superb tackle to block Kerr’s cross moments after the Australian goal.
Millie Bright – 5.5
Uncomfortable battle with Kerr. Unable to cope when she burst to score and could have been punished again when Kerr walked towards him. Fine diagonal to set up winner.
Alex Greenwood – 7
Solid to help fend off the counterattack but well distributed. Arced in a great first half ball that Hemp should have scored on.
Lucia Bronze – 6.5
Not a major player but showed his class in flashes, almost cutting goalkeeper Arnold from the treble in the second half.
Georgia Stanway – 6
Not at her best and didn’t contribute as much as she can at times in the pockets of space.
Keira Walsh – 7.5
Key part of the midfield line that pressed Australia and blocked their supply line to Kerr. The brains of the team.
Rachel Daly – 7
Excellent at both ends of the pitch, fending off Hayley Raso’s pushes down the Australian right but also joining in on the attacks. The throw-in defines the movement for the moving goal.
Ella Toone opened the scoring in the first half, scoring the all-important first goal of the clash
Alessia Russo sealed the victory with the Lionesses’ third goal and could have scored with a header
Ella Toone – 8
An utterly exquisite striker to send England to the final. After a struggle for form in this tournament, she came on well when she needed to.
Alessia Russo – 8
A major threat when the times are right. Did well to delay play and create Toone’s goal and was inches away from fishing in a second half header. Nice finish for the third.
Lauren Hemp – 8.5
The mainstay of this England team. Missed a good chance in the first half but bullied Ellie Carpenter into an error to score the second and nice reverse pass for the third.
Subtitles: Niamh Charles for Toone, 90; Chloe Kelly for Russo, 87