Football

Australia vs England women player ratings: Hemp-inspired roar sends the Lionesses through

August 16, 2023 1:05 pm

The Lionesses broke the Matildas’ hearts in a thrilling semifinal that saw the experience of the English players in big games, this their 5th consecutive semifinal in a big tournament, pay off when it mattered most. Despite fighting hard Australia lost 1-3 and this means England have reached their first-ever World Cup final! Here is our summary of the match and our Australia vs England women player ratings.

AUS vs ENG player ratings scaled
Photo: Mathias Bergeld / BILDBYRÅN / kod MB / MB0695 – Photo by Icon sport

Match Summary

It was a slow start with both teams probing carefully inside the opening 20 minutes. England enjoyed the Lion’s share of the ball. Still, the opening goal for the Lionesses came out of nowhere and it was a moment of sheer individual brilliance from Ella Toone.

Once in front, England dropped back, allowing the Matildas to get into a rhythm late in the period. Kerr sent a warning with a shot that Earps had to save.

Australia began to dominate properly in the second half when in quick succession both Kerr and Fowler sent shots just over. Then came Kerr’s star moment just past the hour mark. The Chelsea striker made a daring solo run that finished with a thunderous shot past Earps for 1-1.

Just as Australia were starting to gather momentum a disaster struck for the home fans. Hemp battled bravely with two defenders and squeezed the ball past Arnold to restore England’s lead with only 19 minutes left on the clock.

The Matildas then threw the kitchen sink at England but luck wasn’t with them. Kerr sent a free header and a volley just wide. Earps showed cat-like reflexes to keep the Lionesses in front when denying substitute Vine.

Eventually with Australia pushing everyone forward England hit them on a fast break in the last minute. Hemp played in Russo and her calm finish saw England book their place in their first-ever World Cup final.

Australia women player ratings: Kerr’s efforts not enough

GK Mackenzie Arnold 5.8/10

DF Clare Hunt 5.7/10

DF Steph Catley 6.1/10

DF Clare Polkinghorne 6.3/10

DF Ellie Carpenter 6.0/10

MF Hayley Raso 6.5/10

MF Caitlin Foord 6.3/10

MF Katrina Gorry 7.4/10

MF Kyra Cooney-Cross 6.2/10

FW Mary Fowler 6.4/10

FW Sam Kerr 7.2/10

AUS vs ENG ratings
Photo by Icon sport

Substitutes 

FW Cortnee Vine 7.0/10

The other 2 Australian substitutions were made very late on so there was no time to rate those players.

The Lionesses player ratings: clinical when it mattered most

GK Mary Earps 7.4/10

DF Lucy Bronze 7.2/10

DF Alex Greenwood 7.9/10

DF Millie Bright 7.1/10

DF Jessica Carter 7.2/10

DF Rachel Daly 6.3/10

MF Georgia Stanway 7.1/10

MF Keira Walsh 6.1/10

MF Ella-Ann Toone 7.5/10

FW Lauren Hemp 8.9/10

FW Alessia Russo 8.0/10

Substitutes 

Both of England’s substitutions were made inside the final 20 minutes so those players were not rated.

Player of the Match: Lauren Hemp

England’s forward Lauren Hemp deserves our vote for Player of the Match. Just as the game was starting to slip away from the Lionesses Hemp scored the all-important second goal. Then she assisted for the calming third too and sent her team into the big final!

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