After two consecutive semi final heartbreaks, England will take on Spain in the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Lionesses beat hosts Australia in front of almost 76,000 fans in Sydney, meaning that the European champions have the chance to win their first ever world title.

England were unchanged from their quarter final win over Colombia with Alessia Russo upfront and her Arsenal teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy remaining on the bench. Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord both played ninety minutes for the Matildas, with Kerr taking the captain’s armband from Catley upon her first start of the tournament following injury.

Arsenal’s summer signing Russo cut the ball back to her former Manchester United strike partner Ella Toone to give England the lead, with Toone finding the top corner with an exceptional finish. However, Sam Kerr’s strike was even better to level things up, finishing off a counter attack with a long range effort that left goalkeeper Mary Earps with no chance.

Lauren Hemp restored England’s lead with twenty minutes remaining, capitalising on some poor defending to latch onto Millie Bright’s long ball and make it 2-1, before Alessia Russo scored her third goal of the tournament to seal England’s place in the final with another clever run and finish, latching onto the end of a clever reverse pass from Hemp.

Arsenal’s Foord and Catley both had impressive tournaments but failed to have a real impact in the semi final. Australia will play Sweden in the third place playoff on Saturday with as many as five Arsenal players set to feature.

England play Spain on Sunday in the final, meaning a new nation will be getting their hands on the trophy for the first time. Can Arsenal’s Russo and Wubben-Moy add the most coveted prize in world football to their trophy cabinets after European glory last summer?