‘Hearts are broken’: Matildas crash out of World Cup

The Matildas’ World Cup campaign has ended in heartbreak and devastation after costly moments that will haunt Australian players.

Australia players huddle after the team's 1-3 defeat and elimination from the tournament. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images )

The Matildas’ World Cup has ended in heartbreak and scenes of devastation at Stadium Australia.

After England scored the only goal of the first half, Aussie skipper Sam Kerr ignited the match when she scored a long range stunner midway through the second half.

While Australia looked good as the parochial crowd got behind the Matildas, the Lionesses delivered two brutal blows to run away with the 3-1 win.

It was such a cruel way for Australia to go out after Sam Kerr came up with a moment of magic to level the scores at 1-1.

However, England showed their class to hold their nerve when it mattered the most.

It means England will play Spain for the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Sunday, while the Matildas will play Sweden on Saturday night at 6pm at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in the 3rd placed playoff.

“Heartbreak for the Matildas,” David Basheer said on Channel 7.

“But joy for Sarina Wiegman who has been at this stage before with her native Netherlands.

“Time for celebration for a team that had to rebuild leading up to the World Cup.

“Well, the tears will be raw and they’ll be powerful. But the Matildas have shown heart and struggle to get this Women’s World Cup.”

Mel McLaughlin added: “Everybody’s hearts are broken tonight. We know that. But there is an overwhelming sense of pride in what we have seen from the Matildas.”

The agony. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

The ecstasy. Photo by STEVE CHRISTO / AFP

Grace Gill added: “It has been an inspired tournament and one that has changed the sport in our country.”

Former Matilda Heather Garriock said post-match that the match was the “one that got away to be honest.

“England were the better team on the night. At the same time, we had the quality and we had the chances. I think that we didn’t convert our chances.

“But at the end of the day you have to congratulate England.

“We have captured the imagination of the Australian public and the Matildas and football is on the map and wow, everyone is in love with the Matildas and this sport.”

Coach Tony Gustavsson said there would be plenty to dissect after the match but admitted England won it in one key area.

“It’s conversion to chances,” he said. “Normally looking at numbers always. In the second half we had 12 to their nine and they scored three goals.

“In the 83rd minute and in the 85th minute, we nearly scored two. It is one of those nights they were more clinical in finishing.”

The result sees England make its first ever Women’s World Cup Final, having lost in the last two tournaments at the semi-final stage.

For Australia, while it was two wins from where we hoped, it’s still our best ever finish at a World Cup and still plenty for them to be proud of.

There were touching scenes on the field after the match as the entire Australian squad formed a heart-shaped huddle.

We still love you Tillies! Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Mel McLaughlin said: “No doubt they are devastated at the moment. But they will be picking themselves up ahead of the third-placed playoff in Brisbane. But they know that they have certainly done themselves and the nation proud. They might not feel that right now but they will in time to come.”

Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight added: “I’m glad that I am not making that circle speech. It is pretty much picking up a broken heart. They have a big game on Saturday and need to mentally recover from this and realise there is still something significant to play for.”

9.44pm – England score again

There’s only four minutes and injury time remaining and Australia now need two goals after Alessia Russo scored England’s third goal to go up 3-1 in the 86th minute.

A neat play saw Russo all but unmarked as she slotted the ball past Mackenzie Arnold.

Heartbreaking stuff for the Matildas.

Alessia Russo finishes it off for England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

A class finish after the great ball from Hemp to make it 3-1 #FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/IuWYvbwtHl

— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 16, 2023

9.28pm – Matildas’ ‘despair’ as England hit back

For the second time this match, a lapse in concentration has cost Australia dearly as England regained their lead.

A relentless Lauren Hemp has jostled with Ellie Carpenter until she was able to steal the ball and get it past Mackenzie Arnold in the 71st minute.

Channel 7’s Grace Gill said: “The Matildas look on in despair”.

She went on to say: “Carpenter, she doesn’t deal with this. She doesn’t get her body in front. Or even just look to clear and hook the ball away. She’s lost her composure there, Ellie Carpenter.”

Lauren Hemp capitalises and gives England the lead again 😞#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/2y2a5fRMkl

— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 16, 2023

9.21pm – Sam Kerr, you genius

Suddenly, Australia’s back in it all off the boot of Sam Kerr.

The Matildas skipper has stood up when it mattered most, scoring a 64th minute goal to break her duck in the tournament, nailing a long-range shot from outside the box.

OH MY GOD!

SAM KERR!!!!!!

WOOOOWWWW!#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/BBFhyVatJV

— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 16, 2023

Steve Wilson said on Optus: “A sensational goal from Australia’s golden girl.

“What a jaw-dropping moment that was from Sam Kerr. That’s the goal of the tournament.”

Amy Chapman added: “Could not have been scripted any better for the Australians.

“Sam Kerr’s missed so much this tournament but she didn’t miss then.”

On Seven, Grace Gill said: “That is an howitzer from Sam Kerr.

“But no-one was stopping that. And once more, Mary Earps has to pick the ball out of the back of the net struck by Sam Kerr. Suddenly Stadium Australia erupts into a frenzy.”

8.48pm – Halftime: England lead 1-0

The Matildas will need to hit back in the second half after England scored the only goal of the half through Ella Toone.

It’s a tough end to a first half that was pretty even if unspectacular until the brilliant finish.

England have been all over the Matildas, particularly Sam Kerr, taking the Aussie skipper down three times.

8.37pm – England score

That’s not what we wanted.

England have scored the first goal of the match, taking the lead in the 36th minute with Ella Toone nailing a shot across the Matildas’ face into the top corner.

It came after a throw in and saw Lauren Hemp take the ball before a pass to Alessia Russo.

While Help wanted the ball back, Russo’s pass went past her and right to Toone, with the 23-year-old making no mistake.

Grace Gill said on Channel 7: “It’s a special strike. Nothing on that occasion that Mackenzie Arnold could have been able to do to keep that one out. She’s hit that really sweetly”.

At halftime, Socceroos legend John Aloisi said: “We fell asleep on the throw in. It was too easy.

“They got the first ball to their player and then the second ball – look at the numbers we have back there, but there’s no pressure on them. A lot of teams do that. They switch off on throw-ins. It’s such an important part of the game.”

England take the lead!

Ella Toone with a brilliant strike 😮#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/zA0njBYGUx

— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 16, 2023

It was the last thing Australia wanted as the game had been drifting a little.

There’s now a bit of a mountain to climb for Australia.

8.25pm – C’mon England

The Poms have their elbows out in the opening exchanges.

After twice taking down Sam Kerr leading to free kicks, Caitlin Foord was also taken to ground in a pretty dodgy act by Lucy Bronze, in what was called “blatant shove” according to Grace Gill.

David Basheer added it was “another very, very iffy challenge”.

The packed Aussie-heavy crowd also blew up when Kerr copped a high boot. It looked worse than it was but it was clear high boot and no surprises the Poms tactic hasn’t changed.

Steve Wilson said on Optus: “Sam Kerr might just be getting the feeling that England are targeting her. That’s three times now.”

Chapman described it as a “ludicrous attempt to get to the ball”.

8.11pm – England plan clear as day

That was not a good look. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

England have started aggressively, particularly when it comes to Aussie skipper Sam Kerr.

Twice in the opening 10 minutes, Kerr has been taken to ground as the Lionesses are clearly worried about the Aussie superstar.

But it was the second tackle in the 10th minute that was not a good look.

England defender Alex Greenwood went in hard at Kerr’s ankles, taking down the Aussie in the midfield as they started a counter attack.

On Optus Sport Amy Chapman said: “Greenwood very aware of who that was. That was a very nasty tackle.”

🟨 Greenwood into the book early for a trip on Kerr.

You won't see a clearer yellow than that.

0-0 | #AUSENG | #FIFAWWC | #GOTBLivepic.twitter.com/z3r5IkhcZn

— Girls on the Ball (@GirlsontheBall) August 16, 2023

8.08pm – (Almost) a chance for the Matildas

Katrina Gorry has linked up with Sam Kerr in a scary warning to England, putting a lofted through ball just behind the defenders.

While Kerr couldn’t quite finish the chance as England keeper Mary Earps got in the way, it would have been off-side anyway.

But damn it looked good.

8.01pm – Matildas Vs England is underway

We’re now 90, 120 or 120 and a shootout away from finding out who will meet Spain in the Women’s World Cup Final on Sunday.

England to kick-off.

We’re trying to stay unbiased — but c’mon Matildas!

7.45pm – ‘What an advantage’: Australia already dominating

The match is still 15 minutes away but Australians have turned out in droves.

While the crowd is still coming it, it appears as though it’ll be a massive crowd advantage behind the Matildas.

There was green and gold as far as the eye could see with the commentators estimating it was a 95-5% split.

Great scenes at Stadium Australia. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

Socceroos legend John Aloisi said on 7: “What an advantage it is for us, the girls. They have the majority of fans here, and I would say that there would be 79,000 people here — 78,000 are pro-Australia.

“And they will be egging the girls on. They will push us all the girls on. They will push us all the way and I believe that they will help the girls run all over England.”

Lets hope so.

7pm – Matildas’ massive Sam Kerr call

Sam Kerr has been selected to make her starting debut at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Coach Tony Gustavsson has rolled the dice on his superstar striker, despite admitting she is not 100 per cent fit as she manages a calf muscle issue.

It means Emily van Egmond has been moved to the bench. Kerr’s starting position was confirmed in the official team lists announced 90 minutes before kick-off. She has played just 75 minutes across the entire tournament, but could now be called upon to play 120 minutes against England if the match goes into extra time.

Clare Polkinghorne has also been promoted to the starting team with Alanna Kennedy ruled out of the game as a result of an illness.

📋 Your Semi-Final Starting XI ✅

We make two changes to our team that will take on England 👊#Matildas#FIFAWWC#TilitsDonepic.twitter.com/NEqsaHFX2j

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 16, 2023

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall told the BBC: “Sam Kerr at her normal level definitely has the ability to hurt England.

“You saw against France that she was a little bit rusty in her movement. That game wasn’t that long ago, a couple of days, she played almost 60 minutes too.

“I think it would be a big risk starting her back from a muscle injury.”

Sam Kerr is starting. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

6.30pm – David Beckham declares war on Australia

English legend David Beckham has sent a good luck message to England’s Lionesses ahead of their Women’s World Cup semi-final.

The video was shared by England’s Twitter account and features Beckham filming himself from MLS outfit Inter Miami’s ground

He said: “Hey girls. I just wanted to say wow. What a tournament it’s been so far.

“It’s been so much fun to watch.

David Beckham. Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images.

“And we’re all so proud as a nation of what you’ve achieved already.

“But seeing you girls play as a team. It’s been really incredible. So continue to do so.

“Good luck in this next game and just know that our whole nation is behind you. As Always.”

Becks then panned the camera around to daughter Harper Beckham, 12, who was also wishing the team good luck.

5.15pm – Australia accused of cheating as storm erupts

England has accused Australia of cheating with a storm raging just hours before the Matildas’ semi-final.

With sporting relations between the two countries at breaking point after the fiery Ashes series in England, the Pommy press has taken a swipe at Australia after News Corp newspaper The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday sent a helicopter to catch a glimpse of England’s final training session.

The stunt has gone down like a lead balloon back in the UK with the notoriously sassy English press firing shots at the entire country — just weeks after the Aussie cricket team retained the urn.

UK newspapers The Sun and The Daily Express shared the news, labelling Aussies “cheats.”

The Daily Telegraph’s chopper has caused some drama. Picture: Richard Dobson.

“The cheating Aussies were up to their old tricks when a helicopter was caught spying on England,” The Sun wrote.

“Manager Sarina Wiegman was running her Lionesses through their final training session before today’s big match when it was spotted.”

The Guardian wrote the England squad had been “on the end of a spying controversy”.

The London Telegraph’s Luke Edwards wrote: “The underhand methods deployed by a prominent Australian newspaper will anger players and supporters alike”.

The English Football Association has declined to comment on the incident

A still shot taken from footage of Caitlin Foord (left) and a bandage-free Sam Kerr during the Matildas’ team walk on Wednesday afternoon. Footage: FFA

4.05pm AEST – Federal Minister for Defence “resigns” for one night

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has rightfully been earning plenty of plaudits for her incredible role in the penalty shootout victory over France in the quarter-finals.

She was also at her best off the pitch in a pre-match press conference yesterday (see below for more details on that one).

Now, she is being handed a whole new portfolio courtesy of Richard Marles, the Minister for Defence in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government.

“Tonight our country faces a grave threat and it comes from the old enemy and I know I’m unable to meet the moment,” Marles jokingly says in a social post on Wednesday.

“This afternoon it’s my solemn duty to resign as Australia’s Minister for Defence and I’ve handed my commission to Mackenzie Arnold.

“As Australia expects, I know in this hour she will do us proud.”

Not bad from a politician.

A message from the Minister for Defence.

And for the record, this is a joke. #TillItsDonepic.twitter.com/xdxLHDeb84

— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) August 16, 2023

3.10pm AEST – Kerr and the Matildas complete their team walk

As they have done throughout the tournament, the Matildas have completed their team walk ahead of tonight’s enormous game.

In chilly, overcast conditions in Sydney, captain Sam Kerr and the team took a walk from their team hotel around Darling Harbour.

Following speculation on Tuesday night that Kerr might still be carrying an injury, seen with a heavy ice pack on her right calf, on Wednesday the star striker was bandage and ice pack-free as she completed the walk alongside fellow forward Caitlin Foord.

Quarter-final hero Cortnee Vine (left) and Clare Wheeler take part in the walk with their Matildas teammates around Darling Harbour. Photo: Ann Odong, FFA

Clare Polkinghorne and teammates complete the team walk in Sydney. Photo: Ann Odong, FFA

While there has been speculation Kerr might finally start her first match of the tournament against England, a team she knows well from her time with Chelsea, coach Tony Gustavsson suggested he may stick with the line-up that has worked thus far.

In further proof of the humble nature of this Australian squad, they were warmly greeted and had loads of fans and media for company as they took in some fresh air before turning their minds to the task at hand.

We can only imagine the excitement among the squad about the opportunity that lies ahead in their clash with England, with Australia 90 minutes – or perhaps extra-time or even penalties – away from a World Cup final on home soil.

2pm AEST – Aussie hero shuts down English journo

Mackenzie wasn’t in the mood for one question. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was at her deflective best against France as she stopped four penalties to guide Australia past their European rivals.

On Tuesday she showed her defensive prowess wasn’t limited to on the pitch as she swatted away an English journalist.

In an attempt to pour fuel on the fire of the longstanding Australia vs England rivalry, the journo pointed out that many back in the UK would be hoping to see them send the Aussies packing.

Arnold wasn’t having it.

“Mackenzie these two countries have a traditional and long rivalry,” he said. “I’m sure there are a lot of England fans back home that would love to see them knock you out of your home tournament. Is the idea of being knocked out by England almost unthinkable to you?”

Stone faced, Arnold replied: “Being knocked out by anyone is unthinkable, I think there’s a lot of English people that would like to see them knock us out but I think there’s more Australians that would love to see England knocked out by us.

“We have so many rivalries with so many different countries, this is just another game for us.”