While Australia’s title credentials face the sternest test yet at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the co-hosts can rely on vocal crowd support at a packed-out Australia Stadium and their water-tight defence.
Gustavsson’s ladies have been a defensive force to be reckoned with during this tournament, getting here as the only side to have kept four clean sheets.
But if England can shatter Australia’s defensive pillars, the whole tower could collapse, as happened in the only tournament game in which the Aussies failed to register a shutout.
Nigeria toppled the Australians 3-2 on matchday two, perhaps showing the Lionesses a way to hurt the Matildas.
Except for a scintillating 6-1 romping of below-par China on matchday three, England’s three remaining 2023 Women’s World Cup triumphs have yielded unconvincing one-goal margins.
Despite only scoring four goals across those three regulation-time wins, they have found the net before half-time on each occasion, underlining the potential for a quick start.
Head coach Sarina Wiegman stands on the brink of history, looking to become the first-ever England manager to reach the consecutive finals, having led the Lionesses to European Championship glory last summer.
However, England could take the field with a psychological disadvantage after going down 2-0 in their friendly against Australia in April.
Team News: Australia Women vs England Women
Chelsea ace Sam Kerr has yet to start for Australia at the tournament, but after coming off the bench against France, she could be in contention for the starting line-up.
England have stayed injury free ahead of this ‘make or break’ encounter, although Wiegman could ring one crucial change to the line-up that ousted Colombia.
Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone could surrender her place to Chelsea’s Lauren James, who has netted three times along her tournament journey.
Australia possible starting line-up:
(4-4-2): Mackenzie Arnold; Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley; Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord; Sam Kerr, Emily van Egmond.
England possible starting line-up:
(3-5-2): Mary Earps; Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright; Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Rachel Daly; Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp.