LIONESSES PLAYER RATINGS: Lauren Hemp steals the show as Alessia Russo and Ella Toone perform when it counts in 3-1 semi-final victory over Australia
England reached the World Cup final on Wednesday with a stunning 3-1 victory over tournament hosts Australia.
Ella Toone gave the Lionesses a first-half lead before Sam Kerr’s stunning second-half equalizer restored hope for Australia.
Lauren Hemp put England ahead again in the 71st minute and Alessia Russo sealed the historic win with a late strike to set up a thrilling final against Spain on Sunday.
Mail Sport’s IAN HERBERT delivers his Lionesses player ratings from Down Under.
Lauren Hemp was Mail Sport’s player of the match with an 8.5 after her crucial goal
England (3-4-1-2)
Mary Earps-7
Instills confidence in England’s defence. Didn’t get close to Kerr’s phenomenal hit, but made a crucial one-handed save from Cortnee Vine.
Jess Carter-7
competitive achievements to fend off the Kerr threat. An occasional mistake in possession, but superbly tackled to block Kerr’s cross just after the Aussie goal.
Millie Bright – 5.5
Uncomfortable fight with Kerr. Unable to cope as she burst away to score and could have been penalized again when Kerr headed over. Nice diagonal to set up winner.
Alex Greenwood-7
Solid in parrying the counter-attack, but well distributed. Bent in a fine ball in the first half from which Hemp should have scored.
Lucy Bronze – 6.5
Not a great player, but she showed her class in flashes, almost cut keeper Arnold out of the knife’s edge in the second half.
Georgia Stanway – 6
Not at her best and not contributing as much as she can sometimes in the small spaces.
Keira Walsh – 7.5
Key part of the midfield line that put pressure on Australia and blocked their supply line to Kerr. The brain of the team.
Rachel Daley – 7
Excellent at both ends of the field, deflecting Hayley Raso’s punches down the right side of the Aussie but also joining in the attacks. Throw-in set the move in front of the goal in motion.
Ella Toone opened the scoring in the first half and grabbed the all-important first goal of the match
Alessia Russo sealed the victory with the Lionesses’ third goal and could have scored a header
Ella Toone – 8
A rather exquisite striker to send England into the final. After a battle for form in this tournament, she came right when she needed to.
Alessia Russo-8
A big threat when the moments came. Did a good job of holding up play and creating Toone’s goal and was inches away from angling in a header in the second half. Great finish for third.
Lauren hemp – 8.5
The mainstay of this English team. Missed a good chance in the first half, but bullied Ellie Carpenter into a foul to score the second and beautiful reverse pass for the third.
Subs: Nick Charles for Toone, 90; Chloe Kelly for Russo, 87