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Matildas lose to England in World Cup semi-final: UK media reaction and Piers Morgan tweets

Never one to take the high road, Piers Morgan’s reaction to England beating the Matildas was as distasteful as ever - FOLLOW ALL THE UK REACTION HERE.

Staff writers
4 min read
August 17, 2023 - 11:55AM
Post-game chaos: Matilda's supporters get rowdy

Piers Morgan led the celebrations as England reached the Women’s World Cup final but an image and caption on his social media left a bad taste in some mouths.

England triumphed over Australia with a 3-1 victory in the semi-final thanks to goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.

Australia levelled the score in the 63rd minute thanks to a goal from Sam Kerr - who did everything to lead her side to a final on home soil.

But it wasn’t to be, with Hemp and Russo putting the game beyond doubt with goals in the 71st and 86th minute.

Morgan tweeted: “BREAKING: England’s fabulous @Lionesses crush Australia’s wilting Matildas 3-1 in their own back yard to reach the Women’s World Cup Final….

“…. sweet revenge for the Jonny Bairstow Ashes runout debacle. Congrats ladies- you’ve made your country proud!”

He then added three applause emojis to the tweet as he joined the nation in rejoicing at England reaching their first World Cup final since the men’s side in 1966.

Morgan’s tweet referenced the infamous ‘cheat debacle’ during England’s second test at Lord’s in the Ashes which saw Jonny Bairstow controversially stumped by Alex Carey.

It was a key moment in the series which allowed Australia to rush into a 2-0 lead which would ultimately see them retain the Ashes.

Morgan continued his trolling of the Australia women’s team by quote tweeting an image posted by Australia’s U.S. embassy.

Morgan quote tweeted the tweet with the caption “UPDATE: Boat sunk.”

Given the current situation in Europe with migrant boats the comment came in bad taste.

The Talk TV host then added a tweet saying: “Never thought I’d get up at 3am to watch women’s football, but I did and it was brilliant. Love these @Lionesses - such great ambassadors for England.”

Morgan is currently in LA, but made the time to get up in the middle of the night to watch the Lionesses triumph in Australia.

FULL STORY ON THE SUN

ENGLAND WOMEN ARE NOT NICE BUT THEY’RE WINNERS

A bizarre headline choice from the UK Telegraph.

England coach Sarina Wiegman hailed a “fairytale” after her team advanced to the Women’s World Cup final with a 3-1 win over tournament co-hosts Australia in Sydney.

Wednesday’s semi-final victory saw Wiegman become the first coach to guide two different countries to a Women’s World Cup final, after she took her native Netherlands to the 2019 showpiece match, where they were defeated by the United States.

It also left reigning European champions England, who face fellow first-time Women’s World Cup finalists Spain in Sunday’s title decider in Sydney, on course for a notable double.

Luke Edwards of the Telegraph wrote: “That made it even more special that England won, knocking the hosts out of their own tournament, crushing their spirits and dreams.

“England took them apart, outplayed and outclassed them, and they did it all a very long way from home.

“They showed a nasty streak that perhaps even they did not know they had until Australia brought – or should that be provoked – it out of them.

“England were booed and jeered throughout. It was hostile and unwelcoming. It was everything a high-stakes, high-pressure clash between these two nations should be. It was unflinching, intense and occasionally violent.

“It was great. Sporting theatre at its captivating best.England were the villains, they were there to be disliked and thrived in the role. They fought fire with fire.

“They were not bullied or cowed. They got stuck in, they smashed into Australia, they left their mark. The Lionesses sharpened their claws and made sure Australia felt them.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

HOW ENGLAND DEPLOYED DARK ARTS AND COOL HEADS

England went ahead against Australia through Ella Toone’s 36th-minute strike into the top right corner before Sam Kerr, making her first start of the tournament, equalised with an incredible long-range shot in the 63rd minute.

Lauren Hemp, however, restored England’s advantage in the 71st minute after firing into the bottom far corner from Millie Bright’s long ball upfield.

Alessia Russo put the result beyond doubt four minutes before full-time, beating Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold with a low shot.

The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood wrote about how England deployed dark arts and cool heads to silence Australian noise.

“They faced the spirit of Cathy Freeman, and a moment that would unify the country. They faced Sam Kerr, and they heard the eruption that greeted the star of the World Cup finally having her moment.

“The Lionesses faced all that but did not shake. Instead, they turned it into the first World Cup final, in a tournament that has been defined by the problems and challenges that have blocked their every turn.

“They looked a level above, but this was an occasion where their dark arts were needed as well. There were a trio of fouls on Kerr within the opening 25 minutes.

“England were just cooler than Australia. In the first half, the pressure England were facing came from themselves, but it almost seemed that as soon as Wiegman’s side realised that, they immediately relaxed and the picture they were facing became clearer. Slowly, gradually, England figured it out.”

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Originally published as Matildas lose to England in World Cup semi-final: UK media reaction and Piers Morgan tweets

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