England will be the rival of spain at the end of Women’s World Cup. The lionesses entered the championship as favourites, with the 2022 Euro Cup in their pocket and the certainty that they were one of the most resounding teams in the championship. They complied in the group stage, suffered in the round of 16 against Nigeria, which forced them to a penalty shootout, and they had to overcome Colombia, but against Australia They once again demonstrated their forcefulness.
Australia had an almost perfect team in front of them and, even so, they tried to make it uncomfortable. He recovered his star, the Chelsea striker, for it in the eleven Sam Kerr. While they were able to advance using it only in the final stretches, Tony Gustavsson He wanted to protect her so that she did not relapse from the calf injury she suffered in the pre-championship rally. With the possibility of fighting to lift the World Cup at home, she couldn’t wait any longer. This was also understood by her fans, who dyed a bursting stadium yellow to support their players.
England knew that patience was going to be a weapon to be wielded. Despite the fact that Kerr escaped behind them at the start of the match, a clear example of what the Australians’ plan was, she responded Stanway with a point-blank shot that made Arnold appear at the goal. The two quick skirmishes gave way to English control. Like good students of Sarina Wiegman, they kneaded the game against a very disciplined opponent, well covered and looking to catch any ball to launch into the area. If there was a way to disorganize the European champions, it was forcing them to take risks.
By the time they got it matildas, they already had the score against. Warned of the benefit that the leon of the set pieces, a long throw-in towards the end line was controlled by the Arsenal player Alessia Russo to see appear in the heart of the area Ella Toonewho put his shot into the square.
Australia did not rush in search of the tie in the second half. The strategy was the same: maintain order and take advantage of the mistakes of the British, who had stopped to breathe. And that’s how Sam Kerr got gold out of an oversight. They stole and threw their star on the run, who did not hesitate to unleash an accurate right hand from the croissant to bring hope to the stands.