With England’s win in its World Cup semifinal, the Lionesses assured that one of their star players can make her return.

Lauren James received a two-game ban for her red card against Nigeria, which she earned by stepping on the back of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie in the Round of 16. A red card comes with an automatic one-game suspension, which FIFA later upgraded to two games.

Before missing the last two rounds of the World Cup, the 21-year-old had been electric for England, leading the team with three goals and assisting on three more – which puts her in line for best player of the tournament. With James eligible to return to the pitch in Sunday’s championship match against Spain, the question becomes: Should she be included in the starting lineup?

“She makes the team better, but it almost feels a little unfair to put her in over some players that have performed,” Fox Sports analyst Jimmy Conrad said after the semifinal. “Like Ella Toone came in for her, and she scored today. Like a banger.”

“Lauren James is so dynamic and she adds something in the attack that nobody else offers,” former USWNT player Leslie Osborne added. “Lauren James is healthy and fit. She’s sitting out for other reasons. For me, I think I might start Lauren James because of the ability she has to change games. And I think England looked different without her in these last few games. And I think they missed how dynamic she is in that attacking third. She’s just such a special player and that X factor.”

Fellow Fox Sports analyst Melissa Ortiz also argued that James has served her time. Plus, while Toone opened the scoring in the semifinal win against Australia, James’ game better suits what Spain offers on defense.

“Ella Toone, credit to her, she did incredible,” Ortiz said. “But Lauren James has so much more versatility to her game. She’s also strong and I think that’s gonna make the difference against Spain.”

England has advanced to their first Women’s World Cup final with a 3-1 win over host nation Australia in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Australia appeared on the verge of a comeback after Sam Kerr tied the game 1-1 with a long-distance strike in the 63rd minute. But England quieted the crowd with a response eight minutes later, as Lauren Hemp got on the end of a long ball and took advantage of miscommunication along Australia’s backline to restore England’s lead.

Alessia Russo, who scored the game-winner in England’s 2-1 win over Colombia in the quarterfinals, put the game away with another goal of her own in the 86th minute.

Ella Toone, who replaced suspended forward Lauren James in the starting lineup, opened the scoring for the Lionesses with a one-time strike into the top right corner in the first half.

Kerr ignited the home crowd in the second half with a stunning individual scoring effort. Australia’s star striker received the ball at midfield and dribbled all the way to the top of the 18-yard box before curling a shot past the outstretched hands of England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

Kerr was starting in her first game at this World Cup since injuring her calf in training before the tournament began. After missing Australia’s first two games, she had been on a minutes restriction leading up to the semifinal.

Kerr had multiple chances throughout the second half to give Australia the lead, but she couldn’t convert and England took advantage.

James will be available for the World Cup final after serving a two-game red-card suspension for stepping on the back of Nigerian player Michelle Alozie in the Round of 16. James emerged as England’s breakout star in the group stage, leading the team with three goals and three assists in the tournament.

England is moving onto another final of a major tournament after winning the Euros in their home country last year. Head coach Sarina Wiegman leads her second national team into a World Cup final after coaching the Netherlands in the 2019 final, which the Dutch lost to the United States. She is the first coach to do so with two different countries.

England will meet Spain in the championship game on Sunday (6 a.m. ET, FOX) after La Roja defeated Sweden 2-1 in a dramatic finish to the other semifinal game. Both teams are playing for their first-ever World Cup title.

Ella Toone had hardly touched the ball before chipping the German goalkeeper to put England up 1-0 in the UEFA Women’s Euro final Sunday.

The 22-year-old subbed on for Fran Kirby in the 56th minute before notching the go-ahead goal in the 62nd to break the 0-0 deadlock.

Toone’s cheeky finish spurred a rapturous cheer from the English crowd in Wembley Stadium, shifting the momentum of the second half to England’s favor.

Germany, however, overwhelmed the English defense with a wave of pressure, stifling the Lionesses’ drive.

The high press finally gave way to a Lina Magull equalizer in the 79th minute, with the midfielder splitting the England defense to knock in a cross from Tabea Wassmuth.