England’s remarkable journey through the 2023 Women’s World Cup reached its pinnacle with a stunning 3-1 victory over a spirited Australian side in the semifinal. The Lionesses showcased tactical maturity, individual brilliance, and unwavering nerve to secure their place in the final. At Banglawin, we break down the performances that powered this historic win, analyzing every key contributor on the pitch.
A Masterclass in Resilience and Tactical Execution
From the first whistle, it was evident this would be a battle of attrition. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by a passionate home crowd, but England‘s experience on the big stage shone through. Manager Sarina Wiegman’s game plan was executed with precision, absorbing pressure before striking with devastating effect on the counter-attack. The team’s ability to respond immediately to Australia’s equalizer, rather than crumbling under the pressure, speaks volumes about the champion mentality within this squad.
Banglawin’s In-Depth Player Performance Analysis
Defensive Pillars: A Wall That Almost Held Firm
Mary Earps – 8
The Manchester United goalkeeper once again proved why she is considered among the world’s best. While she was eventually beaten by a sensational Sam Kerr strike, her performance was otherwise flawless. Earps made several crucial interventions in a tense final ten minutes, commanding her area with authority and providing the security his defense needed to play with confidence.
Jess Carter – 9
Facing your club teammate in a World Cup semifinal is a daunting prospect, but Carter rose to the occasion magnificently. The Chelsea defender marshaled the dangerous Sam Kerr for large portions of the game, making several perfectly timed tackles. Her most significant contribution came in the dying moments with a gutsy, goal-saving challenge to deny Cortnee Vine what seemed a certain goal.
Millie Bright – 8
The captain led by example throughout the contest. She might feel unfortunate after deflecting Kerr’s shot past Earps, but the deflection was minimal. Beyond that moment, she was a rock at the heart of defense. Her visionary long pass that assisted Lauren Hemp’s goal was a moment of pure class that changed the complexion of the game.
Alex Greenwood – 10
A performance of absolute perfection from the center-back. Her distribution was exceptional, with line-breaking passes that consistently launched England into attacking transitions. Her set-piece delivery caused constant problems for the Australian defense. While she picked up a yellow card for a firm challenge on Kerr, it was a tactical necessity in a game of this magnitude. A complete display.
Midfield Maestros: Controlling the Tempo
Lucy Bronze – 8
The Barcelona full-back effectively neutralized the threat of Hayley Raso on the flank, despite a few nervy moments. She provided constant width and support in attack and even came close to scoring with an audacious second-half chip that had the goalkeeper scrambling. A typically industrious and intelligent performance.
Georgia Stanway – 8
While perhaps quieter than in previous matches, Stanway’s role was no less vital. She was a buzzing presence in central midfield, tirelessly breaking up Australian possession and knitting play together with incisive forward passes. Her work rate and discipline allowed England‘s creative players the freedom to influence the game higher up the pitch.
Keira Walsh – 8
Like her midfield partner, Walsh’s contribution was about control and combat. She engaged in countless battles in the center of the park, with the referee allowing physical challenges to flow. Her ability to receive the ball under pressure and maintain possession was crucial in managing the game’s rhythm, especially after England regained the lead.
Attacking Ingenuity: The Cutting Edge
Rachel Daly – 8
The versatility of Rachel Daly is a manager’s dream. Deployed in a role that required both defensive solidity and attacking impetus, she excelled. She tightened up England‘s left flank and was directly involved in the build-up to the second goal, taking a quick and intelligent throw-in that caught the Australian defense off guard.
Lauren Hemp – 10
The player of the match. Hemp was simply unplayable. Her relentless pressing harried the Australian backline all night and directly led to her goal, as she forced Ellie Carpenter into a critical error before finishing with ice-cool composure. Not content with just scoring, she turned provider late on, delivering the assist for Alessia Russo’s clincher. A world-class performance on the biggest stage.
Ella Toone – 10
What a time to score your first goal of the tournament. Toone’s thunderous strike in the 36th minute was a thing of beauty, ending Australia’s impressive clean sheet streak that had lasted over five hours. The Manchester United attacker was magnificent throughout, consistently finding pockets of space and driving at the heart of the Matildas’ defense, widening its cracks as the game progressed.
Alessia Russo – 10
A complete striker’s performance. Russo was a constant menace, using her strength and movement to get in behind the Australian defense. Her link-up play, particularly with Toone, was dangerous and effective. She got the goal her performance richly deserved to put the game beyond doubt. The only minor blemish was losing possession in the build-up to Kerr’s goal, but it was a footnote in an otherwise superb display.
Impact from the Bench
Chloe Kelly – 6
Brought on in the 87th minute for Russo, Kelly immediately got stuck in, using her energy to help see out the game. She picked up a yellow card for a savvy, if cynical, piece of gamesmanship by moving a free-kick, a move that helped drain precious seconds from the clock.
Niamh Charles – 6
Introduced in the 90th minute for the heroic Toone, Charles had little time to make a mark but slotted in seamlessly during a frantic and furious finish to the match, helping to secure the historic result.
England’s completed a 3-1 victory over Australia in the Women’s World Cup semi-final
This victory was a testament to teamwork, tactical intelligence, and individual moments of magic. From Alex Greenwood’s defensive command to Ella Toone’s explosive opening goal and Lauren Hemp’s all-around brilliance, this was a performance that will be remembered for generations. The Lionesses have not just reached a final; they have captured the imagination of a nation and announced themselves as a global footballing powerhouse.
What did you make of the performances? Were there any ratings you agreed or disagreed with? Share your thoughts with the Banglawin community below and don’t forget to share this analysis with fellow fans!
