Women's World Cup Takeaways: Lauren Hemp heroics guide England to first final

Australia's magical run is over as England emerged victorious, 3-1, in Wednesday's semifinal at the Women's World Cup in Sydney.

That means the Lionesses are now one win away from becoming the second-ever team to win the Euros and World Cup in the same cycle after Germany.

Either way, Sunday's final between England and Spain – the third all-European final in Women's World Cup history – will have some history behind it as there will be a first-time winner crowned.

What an occasion it will be.

Semifinal: Australia 1, England 3 (in Sydney) – Game stats || Report

Hemp-Russo pairing strikes again

This match had all the makings to turn into Sam Kerr's breakout game. It appeared it was headed in that direction after her stunning strike pulled Australia level on 63 minutes and sent the sold-out Australian crowd into a frenzy.

Then Lauren Hemp grabbed the mantle and ran away with it.

A response just eight minutes later from Hemp, followed by her assist for Alessia Russo's goal, sealed the deal and booked England's spot in the final.

Both Hemp and Russo have scored three goals at the World Cup, including the winners in the last two rounds, and are showing no signs of slowing down as a partnership.

Goals aside, Hemp was unstoppable. The Australian defence had no answer for her and given the form she and Russo are in, they could be the difference in the final against Spain.

Matilda magic runs out

Wednesday's semifinal was Australia's second defeat at the tournament after their shocking 3-2 loss to Nigeria in the group stage. Unlike that day, though, the hosts can't claim they were unlucky.

England were far superior right before Russo's goal, when a late flurry – mainly through Kerr's sitter in the 84th minute – boosted Australia's expected goals (xG) output. But one quick glance at the xG plot highlights the dominance from the Lionesses for the majority of the game.

Despite the loss, Australia can still be encouraged by their World Cup performance. Younger players like Ellie Carpenter and Kyra Cooney-Cross were magnificent all tournament, and were some of the Matildas' top attackers in the semifinal.

This was a perfect blend of experience and youth, with a number of youngsters plying their club trades at major European clubs. That, coupled with the best-ever finish in a tournament, are solid pillars going forward into 2027.

Look no further than Sam Kerr's wonder-strike. The star forward carried the ball forward in transition and launched an unstoppable laser into the top corner from about 25 yards out.

The crowd reaction, both inside and outside the stadium, is worth a watch in itself.

From ecstasy to agony in eight minutes. That's what transpired inside Sydney Olympic Stadium when Hemp converted via a long ball over the top of Australia's defence to reclaim the lead for England in the 71st minute.

There was even an audible scream of terror from an Australian fan as the ball rolled across the line.

1. Lauren Hemp, England: Hemp's goal and assist will be remembered fondly by Lionesses supporters, but the Manchester City forward was brilliant all around.

2. Alessia Russo, England: The hero from the quarterfinal win over Colombia, Russo added to her folklore and moved one step closer to an astonishing record.

3. Sam Kerr, Australia: Considering this was Kerr's first start at the World Cup, that makes her performance all the more impressive. She produced six shots, won six of her seven aerial duels and was an absolute menace for England in the penalty area.

It all comes down to Sunday's final. The last time Spain and England met, it was at the Euro 2022 quarterfinals when the Lionesses edged the Spanish in extra time.

That triumph was seen as the catalyst for England's run to glory at the Euros. Now Spain has a shot at redemption in this all-European final.