Mackenzie Arnold

Arnold and Australia edged out by England in World Cup semi-final

Mackenzie Arnold featured for Australia in their 3-1 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final defeat to England on Wednesday afternoon. 

Australia were playing in their first ever World Cup semi-final, having beaten France in a dramatic penalty shootout in which Arnold saved three penalties. 

This time around, they faced off against European Champions England at Stadium Australia, but were unable to repeat the heroics from the last round.

In front of a packed out crowd in Sydney, Ella Toone gave England the lead in the first half with a superb first-time strike, which sailed into the top corner.

Arnold versus England

Sarina Wiegman’s side controlled proceedings until the second half when Australia threw everything at them. Sam Kerr - starting her first match of the tournament - struck a stunning 25-yard strike over goalkeeper Mary Earps to make it 1-1.

But England rallied and got themselves back into the game through Lauren Hemp, before Alessia Russo made sure of victory late on to send England into their first World Cup final since the heroics of 1966, when West Ham United heroes Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters lifted the trophy 

Wiegman becomes the first ever manager to take a team to two World Cup finals, having also guided the Netherlands to the final two in 2019, where they lost out to the United States. 

Australia will face off against Sweden on Saturday 19 August to decide who will finish in third place – what that match taking place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane at 9am BST. 

England prepare to go all the way yet again, and will face Spain back at Stadium Australia in the World Cup final on Sunday 20 August, with kick off scheduled for 11am BST. 

 

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