Women's World Cup Daily: England overpower co-hosts Australia - ESPN

The 2023 Women's World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.

SYDNEY, Australia — The Matildas captivated a nation during their best run through a Women's World Cup, but against a superior England side, the magic ran out.

Not even the sea of 75,784 fans at Stadium Australia — most of them in yellow shirts and rooting for Australia — could change the tide as England bested the co-hosts 3-1.

Ella Toone put England ahead in the first half, and after Australia's Sam Kerr equalised in the 63rd minute, Lauren Hemp's goal eight minutes later effectively decided the contest, before Alessia Russo added one more just to dash the hopes of the home fans.

England will now face Spain in the final on Sunday in Sydney.

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As a remix of «Sweet Caroline» played and England stars danced, the Australia players stood on the pitch after the whistle blew, seemingly stunned their magical run was over. The players eventually walked the perimeter of the field, some of them with tears in their eyes, as fans cheered for Australia's best finish in a World Cup, with a third-place game still to come vs. Sweden on Saturday.

From the get-go, Stadium Australia was ready to explode, with loud roars every time Australia beat England's press or Aussie goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made a routine catch.

But England, ever the party spoilers, opened the scoring off a Rachel Daly throw-in in the 36th minute. Hemp received the ball and passed to Russo along the endline.