Australia vs England – Semi-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is Australia vs England on and what time does it start? Australia vs England will take place on Wednesday 16th August, 2023 – 11:00 (UK)
Where is Australia vs England taking place? Australia vs England will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia
Where can I get tickets for Australia vs England? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Australia vs England
What channel is Australia vs England on in the UK? Australia vs England will be televised live on BBC One
Where can I stream Australia vs England in the UK? Australia vs England can be streamed on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
THE LOWDOWN
AUSTRALIA
- Australia’s dream of Women’s World Cup glory on their home patch is well and truly alive as they took a huge step forward in the quarter-finals, defeating France after a 0-0 draw in what turned out to be the longest, most exhausting and most dramatic penalty shootout in World Cup history, the Matildas ultimately winning 7-6 after 20 penalties were struck.
- Having kept a clean sheet over the course of 120 minutes, Australia are still yet to concede a goal across the knockout stage so far and have now recorded three consecutive shutouts, underlining their defensive solidarity, which will be needed vs England.
ENGLAND
- England had to come from behind in the quarter-finals, but showed their class to do so and get the job done in 90 minutes, beating Colombia by two goals to one with both Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp getting on the scoresheet.
- Midfielder Keira Walsh returned to the starting line-up against Colombia for the first time since her knee injury sustained in the group stage, a huge boost for the Lionesses, but once again they’ll have to do without the suspended Lauren James here, although the Chelsea star would be available for the final if her side makes it through.
THE TEAM NEWS
AUSTRALIA
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Cooney-Cross, Gorry, Foord; Fowler, Kerr
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ENGLAND
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly; Toone; Russo, Hemp
UNAVAILABLE: James (Suspended), Kirby (Injured), Mead (Injured), Williamson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Daly (Fitness)
THE KEY STATS
- This is the 32nd FIFA Women’s World Cup fixture for both nations. Australia’s record is W10 D7 L14, England’s is W19 D5 L7.
- Australia won 2-0 in a friendly match in April 2023 in the most recent fixture between these two nations. Overall, England lead 3-2 in their head-to-head record, there has also been one draw in their previous six encounters.
- Australia are only the second nation to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals as hosts, after the USA (winners in 1999, third place in 2003).
- The record of AFC teams in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals is W3 L1. AFC teams have recorded three successive wins at this stage of the tournament since China PR lost to Germany in 1995.
- Australia have won five and drawn two of their last eight FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (W5 D2 L1).
- There has been a total of exactly 100 goals scored in Australia’s previous 31 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (GF-47 GA-53).
- England have won ten and drawn one of their last 13 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (W10 D1 L2).
- England have won three and drawn one of their previous five FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against AFC opposition (W3 D1 L1).
- England’s highest tally of goals scored in a FIFA Women’s World Cup final competition is 13 (2019). They have scored ten goals at the 2023 finals ahead of this fixture.
- England’s 0-0 draw against Nigeria in the round of 16 is the only occasion in their last 18 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches in which they have failed to score.
- When she scored in the quarter-finals, Lauren Hemp, aged 23 years and 5 days, became the youngest player to score for England in a FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout match, surpassing Lucy Bronze who was 23 years and 237 days when she scored against Norway in the round of 16 in 2015).
THE PREDICTION
The big question from an Australian perspective is just how much that gruelling encounter with France has taken out of them both physically and mentally, having played 120 minutes of football before undertaking the shootout. Especially when compared to England’s quarter-final match, which ended in 90 minutes and allowed Sarina Wiegman’s players extra rest and recovery time. The return of Walsh to the England side only strengths them further and they showed vs Colombia that they have the ability to handle the pressure of playing with the crowd against them. This semi-final feels like a step too far for Australia, who have been brilliant across the knockout stage but should finally come unstuck against this winning England machine.
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