LIONYESS WE CAN

World Cup within reach as England put out Australia

- HOLLIE BONE, JEREMY ARMSTRONG

THE Lionesses have roared to a sensational semi-final victory over home team Australia to give a delighted nation the chance to say words not heard since 1966...

England are in the World Cup final.

And if they show the same heart and skill on display yesterday, then after Sunday's match against Spain, the shout could surely be... England have won the World Cup.

Amid a sea of green and gold as more than 70,000 Aussie fans. cheered on the Matildas in Sydney, Sarina Wiegman's squad kept their cool to win 3-1, with goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.

The England players thrived on the noise of the Aussie supporters, knowing the support 10,000 miles away back home was just as raucous and loud.

PROUD

Right-back Lucy Bronze, 31, said: "We can feel it even though we are all the way on the other side of the world, we just want to make every England fan in England and Australia proud." They relish the chance to bring the World Cup home for the first time since the men in 1966.

Bronze said: "We've always believed in ourselves but now it's 90 minutes, or 120 minutes, whatever it takes to win the game.

"I've always said I want to get a star above the England crest because the men have it and we don't.

Forward Chloe Kelly, 25, said: "It's unbelievable, this is what dreams are made of - to be out there and do that in front of an Australian crowd and to be through to the final with the girls. It's amazing.