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.

The Women’s International Champions Cup unveiled its Best XI on Monday, with England national team coach Sarina Wiegman headlining the winners.

The Best XI includes game-changers in women’s soccer, from players to journalists to executives and more, Relevent Sports Group said in its news release announcing the winners.

FC Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala and Colombian women’s national team member Linda Caicedo were the two players among the Best XI for 2022. The first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or, Oshoala is widely regarded as the best African women’s soccer player ever.

Caicedo, meanwhile, made her professional debut at 14 years old. Now 17, she was named best player at the 2022 Copa América Femenina.

“Now in its third year, the WICC Best XI continues to cement itself as one of the most coveted awards in women’s soccer,” said Susie Fiore, head of the WICC. “The winners work tirelessly to champion the women’s game, often in spite of great obstacles.

“Without the contributions of the 2022 honorees, the women’s game would not have the explosive growth that we’re seeing today. It is an honor to share and celebrate their extraordinary efforts with fans all over the world.”

Following on England’s inaugural Euros win, Wiegman is the lone head coach honoree among the Best XI. The Lionesses are undefeated since she took the helm in September 2021.

U.S. Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone is also honored among the Best XI, as well as Angel City co-founder Kara Nortman and Kansas City Current co-founder Angie Long.

Full List:

  • Asisat Oshoala, player
  • Linda Caicedo, player
  • Sarina Wiegman, coach
  • Jeff Kassouf, journalist
  • Anna Kessel, journalist
  • Cindy Parlow Cone, executive
  • Andrea Brimmer, executive
  • Kara Nortman, club owner
  • Angie Long, club owner
  • Fran Hilton Smith, activist
  • Asma Mirzae, activist

FIFA announced Thursday the shortlist for the best FIFA Women’s Coach of 2021 with Lluís Cortes, Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman making the cut.

Given to the most outstanding coach in women’s soccer, the award is voted on by a panel comprised of the current coaches and captains of all women’s national teams, one journalist from each territory represented by a national team, and fans.

Cortes was named head coach of the Ukrainian national team in November 2021 after leading Barcelona to a historic treble. Under Cortes’ tutelage, Barcelona won the league, cup and the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time in club history. In recognition, Cortes was named UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year for 2020-21.

Hayes was named to the shortlist after leading Chelsea to the FA Women’s Super League title and the club’s first-ever appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. She was recently named FA WSL Manager of the Season for 2020-21.

The fifth nomination for Wiegman, she has won the award twice. Named head coach of England’s women’s national team in September 2021, she previously helped the Netherlands to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The winner of the award will be announced on January 17.