Matildas v England FIFA World Cup semi-final 2023: The key match-ups that will decide showdown
England are no match for the pace of our speedy Matildas, which must be used to our advantage. Former Australia star Amy Chapman analyses the blockbuster semi-final clash.
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“It’s not coming home, it’s staying here”.
There has never been a better time to beat England at ‘their own game’ than this Wednesday night – in front of a sold out Stadium Australia.
It won’t be easy though – the Lionesses have a lot of strengths, they are the European champions after all.
They are technically exquisite, extremely comfortable in possession and have great squad depth. Alessia Russo is the danger player up front and she found her form at just the right time, as has Lauren Hemp.
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Their central midfield, in Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh are elite, they will be very strong. Defensively they also have two of the best in the business in Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze. Bright will dominate anything in the air and her distribution is second to none. Bronze is athletic and aggressive, arguably the best full back in the world.
Australia will need to mark Walsh very closely as the majority of England’s build up play is through the star holding midfielder.
If England continue with their new formation (introduced in the second group game) with wing backs they will have plenty of attacking threats and overload in the final third. But it often leaves them exposed at the back.
Matildas centre backs Clare Hunt and Alanna Kennedy will need to have their distances measured perfectly to ensure they can press the likes of Russo, but not allow for too much space in behind, or to let Steph Catley and Ellie Carpenter get isolated in 1 v 1 battles with clever players like Hemp and Chloe Kelly running at them.
England are missing several x-factor players and some key leaders.
Lauren James, the standout player for England this World Cup has been suspended after standing on a Nigerian player during their Round of 16 clash, her brain snap in a moment of adrenaline could prove very costly for the English.
Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, two of England’s best players and two of the world’s best players are also not at this World Cup due to knee injuries. Both were instrumental in winning the Euros for England and their creativity has been noticeably missed this tournament.
It has left the Lionesses lacking that flair and killer instinct.
England captain and star central defender Leah Williamson is also out with an ACL tear – her composure and ability to break lines on the ball has been irreplaceable.
One thing going for England though is that their quarterfinal clash with Colombia was wrapped up in normal time. It won’t be as easy for Australia to recover from what was the longest match in World Cup history.
England also have the ‘know how’ in big tournament football having won the European Championships last year in front of 87,000.
But England can’t match the pace of our speedy Matildas – especially Cortnee Vine, Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord.
Australia will have to capitalise on this and make the most of quick transition moments, 1v1s and stretch the field as much as possible.
If the Matildas can move the ball quickly, they are more dynamic and potent than the Brits.
England will be acutely aware of this – these teams know each other inside and out. So there is no doubt England will look to close the space and do everything they can to nullify quick transitions and avoid mismatches in speed and athleticism.
At the end of the day this game will come down to nerves, composure and game plans.
Put simply the Matildas can win because they believe they can.
From Foord, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler, to Katrina Gorry, Mackenzie Arnold and Sam Kerr, you don’t need to look far to know this group has the talent and belief to win this World Cup, this is not a pipe dream, this is real.
The stage is set for the biggest game of their lives and the biggest game in Australian history – England won’t be playing against 11, or 23, they are playing against an entire nation.
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Originally published as Matildas v England FIFA World Cup semi-final 2023: The key match-ups that will decide showdown
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