England boss Sarina Wiegman reveals biggest positive from Australia Women's World Cup win

England Sarina Wiegman Australia

England boss Sarina Wiegman has spoken out after Australia Women's World Cup win

PA
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 16/08/2023

- 13:33

Updated: 16/08/2023

- 14:22

The Lionesses are on the verge of a historic triumph

Sarina Wiegman has spoken out after England beat Australia 3-1 to make the Women's World Cup final.

The Lionesses emerged victorious on enemy teritory following goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.


Sam Kerr scored a stunner for Australia to cancel out Toone's strike, with the Chelsea star netting one of the goals of the tournament.

But it wasn't enough with England making a World Cup final for the first time since 1966.

England Ella Toone Australia

Ella Toone put England ahead in Australia Women's World Cup clash

PA

And Wiegman, speaking after the game, has admitted she was delighted with the ruthlessness of her players during the match.

"We achieved the final! Unbelievable, it feels like we won the whole thing but we didn't," she said.

"An away game at this incredible stadium, it was a hard game but again, we found a way to win.

"We scored three goals, in this team there is ruthlessness, up front and defence.

"We really want to win. We stick together and we stick to the plan and it worked again."

On Australia, she added: "They've done an incredible job, really grew into the tournament.

"They had some setbacks too and they had to win that last group stage game.

"They started playing better and Sam Kerr came back. We saw today why she's so important to the team. What a performance from them."

And on becoming the first manager to reach two World Cup finals with two different sides, she added: "I don't know!

"The chance that as a coach you make it to two finals is really special, we made it to four already - it's like I'm living a fairy tale or something?"

England star Lucy Bronze was emotional at full time, saying: "The one thing I've always wanted to do is get to a World Cup final.

"After two times of such disappointment, I can't believe it.

"We played how we wanted to, we were determined, resilient.

"We knew the crowd would be crazy and we talked about silencing them and at the end we did that.

"We all dreamed of being in the final, all our family and friends have booked to stay here until then because they all believed in us.

"It's been amazing to play against Australia, in Australia, what a fantastic tournament they had but we're in the final."

On facing Spain, she added: "Spain have been very good, they did have that defeat against Japan.

"Me and Keira know 90 per cent of the squad very well so we'll be getting questions in the analysis I'm sure."

Prince William also reacted to the win and said: "What a phenomenal performance from the @Lionesses – on to the final! Commiserations to @TheMatildas, you've played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup."

Goalscorer Russo added: "Over the moon, incredible.

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England Alessio Russo Australia Women's World Cup

England star Alessio Russo celebrates her goal against Australia at the Women's World Cup

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"We've been saying we've been dreaming of the semis but this is what it's all about, a World Cup final with this group. Buzzing.

"When they scored they got momentum, the place erupted and then Hempo's goal just flipped the momentum which was crucial so to get 3-1 you can settle a bit and see the game out.

"That's why we do what we do on the pitch is because of all our friends and family.

"To celebrate with them now is really special."

On whether they can go all the way, she added: "Yes, why not? Spain are going to be even tougher. Every game in this tournament has been of the highest level so we have to be ready. But we've been dreaming since we were little girls."

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