How England’s new generation stepped up to win crunch World Cup semi-final

FROM STADIUM AUSTRALIA - The home crowd might have been gripped by Matildas fever, but England’s next generational talent had all the answers in an epic Women's World Cup semi-final.

History would be made either way. The deep-rooted rivalry between Australia and England predated this match; The Ashes, the Netball World Cup and now the World Cup semi-final. Neither team had ever made a World Cup final before, this being Australia’s maiden appearance in a semi-final, whilst England were defeated at this stage twice before- in 2015 to Japan and 2019 to the United States.

But it was England who raced to glory to seal their place in Sunday's showpiece against Spain, thanks to a little magic from a new generation of pivotal match-winning players, the three youngest Lionesses on the pitch: Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone.

"Oh my god - what a feeling," Hemp said, speaking after the match. "Honestly, there's no words to describe how we all feel now. It’s an unbelievable achievement to get to the World Cup final, every kid's dream. I've got no words. And we want to win this now we have got this far."

Hemp, Russo and Toone were all Euro 2022 winners last summer and made significant contributions. But only Hemp was a starter and, with Ellen White and Jill Scott retired, and Beth Mead and Fran Kirby out injured, space was laid for the younger attackers to make their mark Down Under.

"I can hardly describe how proud I am of the team," England boss Sarina Wiegman said after leading the Lionesses to a second consecutive major tournament final.

"This team has been adapted all the time. Before the tournament, then during the tournament and now in this game again. How we come true and find a way to win again is so incredible so I'm really proud of them. We are still celebrating now but tomorrow morning we’ll get ready for Sunday."

It was a link up of the two former star substitutes, Toone and Russo, with involvement from four-time PFA young player of the year Hemp, to open the scoring for the European champions. Stepping up in the big moments once again after key goals off the bench last summer, Toone smashed England into the lead - she had been dropped in favour of Lauren James earlier in the competition.

Never before has an England player, male or female, scored in a major tournament quarter-final, semi-final and final, her fierce top corner strike here completing the momentous achievement.

"It fell straight to me in the box and I just thought ‘'Why not just smack it?' Honestly, that's the best shot I've hit in my life. The girls reminded me of that," the midfielder said, reliving the opening goal.

"It seems to be I like the big stage in tournaments, but in tournament football, it is often about taking those moments and it was my turn to do so tonight," she continued.

"I had my moment, it fell to me and I put it in the back of the net. Even if I hadn't scored, I would still have done my job for this team, worked hard and did what I needed to do. When big moments fall to me in tournaments, I've taken them."

Toone was only brought back into the team following James' suspension. Now, proving her weight in gold, the Manchester United star may have book her place in the XI for the final.

Hemp's wonder strike from distance forced a big save from Mackenzie Arnold, with the Lionesses winger turned striker, itching to double England's lead long before her eventual winner.

Speaking on her performance and role for England, Hemp said: "I feel like I came into this competition with so much belief. I just want to be fearless. I want to show what I can show on the world's biggest stage. Taking up a new role in the team, running in behind players, getting the ball, creating something - I just feel fearless now. I'm playing some of my best football. Personally, I'm pleased with my performance but I’m so proud of this team."

Australia's Sam Kerr has forged a reputation as being inevitable. Of course, she was the player to level the score for the hosts in the second half with a strike that no goalkeeper would have been able to stop. The crowd's reaction was simply deafening, yet that did not faze England.

But just as the pressure was building for England, the 75,784 fans inside the stadium seemingly cheering for their demise, Hemp and Russo would have the last laugh.

Countering the Australian pressure, Hemp pounced on Matildas chaos at the back to restore England's lead. In a pivotal moment, Kerr then missed a glorious chance to bring Australia level for the second time, moments before Russo scored England's third and put the tie to bed.

The partnership of Russo and Hemp up top has been incredibly fruitful since it was introduced in England’s third group game against China, when Wiegman ditched her usual 4-3-3 in favour a dual centre forward system with a 'number 10' in behind. Sticking to that game plan and using their link up to such effect, Hemp commented on the newfound partnership.

"I feel like my connection with Less is so strong. We work off each other really well, and I think we complement each other's strengths," she explained.

"We're both so different as players that we just work so well together. She's a fantastic player to play alongside. I know that whenever I get it that she’s going to be there, so I always look to find her whenever I've got the ball. Throughout the tournament, we have built such a great connection on and off the ball. She's a great person to be my strike partner."

With Toone, Russo and Hemp, set to enter their peaks years soon, the long-term future of the England national team is in very good hands. But first, the World Cup final.

"We have all got a dream, and we are all pushing each other to be the best that we can be,” Hemp added. "We know that whenever a player gets beaten by an opponent that there is going to be someone there. We have got each other’s back no matter what."

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