Australia vs England LIVE! Women’s World Cup match stream, latest score and goal updates today
The Lionesses and Matildas go head to head in a blockbuster semi-final showdown in Sydney today to determine who will face Spain in the Women’s World Cup showpiece this weekend. Sarina Wiegman’s England took a while to hit their stride at this tournament, but the confidence is now flowing freely after the reigning European champions saw off both Nigeria and Colombia in the knockout stages.
But co-hosts Australia will almost certainly offer the sternest test of their credentials thus far. Boosted by huge home support, they have captured the imagination of a nation. A victory on home soil, like England’s fairytale win at the European Championship last summer, would be a massive moment, the magnitude of which could span generations. The Matildas have Sam Kerr back in the starting lineup and leading the line in a huge boost.
The Lionesses, however, are used to the big occasion. European champions, they feel the time is right to translate their continental success onto the global stage and reach a World Cup final for the very first time. Follow Australia vs England live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Stadium Australia in Sydney!
Live updates
Here we go!
Players are out onto the pitch, huge noise to greet them.
Bronze typically relaxed with a smile on her face, waving the smoke away that has covered the tunnel.
Simon Collings at Stadium Australia
Amazing atmosphere in here pre kick-off. Some games at this tournament have seen grounds slow to fill up, but it’s packed here.
Aussies making a huge din.
Russo steps up for Lionesses
When an early chance went begging for Alessia Russo against Colombia, you feared for the England striker.
Before the quarter-final, she had been struggling for goals at this Women’s World Cup after finding the net just once in four games.
Within six minutes of that game Russo had the chance to double that tally, but she snatched at the chance and it was blocked. It would have been an easy moment for the Arsenal striker’s head to drop, even if the flag did go up, for her to think it just wasn’t her night.
Instead, however, it galvanised Russo and she was the Lionesses’ hero as they booked a semi-final showdown against Australia.
Click here for more on that!
Good memories for Australia!
These two sides met earlier this year, and it was Australia who came out on top to end England’s long unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman.
The Matildas are the only team to have beaten the Lionesses since Wiegman took charge – you’d imagine they will be taking confidence from that win at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Pre-match thoughts from Jess Carter
“Everyone is pretty chilled to be fair,” Carter tells BBC One.
“Of course there is history in this kind of tournament for England, but we’re looking to write our own history and looking to write new ones. I think that everyone is just excited for the game.
“Everyone will go out there and give it their all and hopefully come out with a positive result.”
Third time lucky?
A third straight semi-final appearance at a World Cup for England – they’ve lost the last two.
They were beaten 2-1 by the USA four years ago, and it was the same scoreline when Japan knocked the Lionesses out in 2015.
Neither England or Australia have reached a World Cup final before, so something has got to give!
Gustavsson insists England are favourites
Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson ramped up the mind games by labelling England as “massive favourites”.
Gustavsson believes the Lionesses’ financial resources and squad depth dwarf that of Australia, who are appearing in their first ever semi-final.
“If you look at rankings they’re favourites,” said Gustavsson.
“If you look at where their players play they have starting players in top clubs, in top leagues all over the world. Not just starting XI, down to 15, 16.
“Then compared to us, we have bench players in those teams. We have players playing in mid-table teams in Sweden.
“So if you look at all that and you look at resources, financially, obviously they are massive favourites going into this game.”
‘Matilda Mania’ hits Australia
The stars of the Australian team are everywhere you look in Sydney. From billboards to skyscrapers and even a mural by Bondi beach, a face from the squad greets you at every turn.
The media out here have dubbed it ‘Matilda Mania’ — and that will reach new levels as Australia face England for a place in the Women’s World Cup Final.
Given their status as European champions, England are used to big occasions and dealing with pressure. For once, though, the spotlight is not on them as all eyes are on the co-hosts.
More than 75,000 fans will fill Stadium Australia, while television companies are predicting the biggest viewing figures since Cathy Freeman raced to Olympic 400m gold here in 2000.
Like England did on home soil at last summer’s Euros, Australia have captured the imagination of a nation. Now their challenge is to make the most of it.
Read Simon Collings’ full preview here!
