Match Report
The Matildas have been defeated by European champions England 3-1 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ semi-final. A Sam Kerr goal was not enough to cancel out goals to Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.
Tony Gustavsson named two changes to the side that defeated France in the quarter-final. Clare Polkinghorne came into centre-back to replace Alanna Kennedy who had fallen ill. Meanwhile, captain Sam Kerr started her first game up top, coming into the team for Emily van Egmond.
The Lionesses began the game on the front foot. As expected, they had the majority of possession throughout the game and particularly so in the early stages. Mackenzie Arnold was required to make a good save early after Georgia Stanway found space in behind.
In typical fashion the Matildas were a constant threat on the counter, and their pressing game was causing England problems. Kerr thought she had a 1v1 opportunity early, but was called back for offside. Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso were consistently applying enough pressure to create little mistakes in England’s passing game.
