The England-Australia Women’s World Cup semifinal has plenty of storylines to watch. Not only is this England against a former colony, one that still bears the Union Jack on its flag, but this is one of the pre-tournament favorites against the host nation.
Stadium Australia in Sydney will be rocking with more than 75,000 fans. The Matildas played in this venue for their opening group play match against Ireland (a 1-0 win) and their opening knockout match against Denmark (a 2-0 win). England played its come-from-behind quarterfinal win against Colombia in Stadium Australia.
England is -155 (20-to-31) to advance with Australia at +110 (11-to-10) on BetMGM. The Lionesses had emerged as the favorite to win the tournament after the Americans went out, but Spain has taken the top spot in the odds ahead of the semifinals.
All odds from BetMGM. Here’s where you can buy tickets to upcoming games.
England vs. Australia
Kickoff time: 6 a.m. ET/11 a.m. BST Wednesday
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Neither of these teams had an easy time in the quarterfinals. England fell behind Colombia late in the first half and Australia had its back up against the wall in the penalty shootout multiple times against France.
Australia became the second host nation to advance past the quarterfinals and is getting star striker Sam Kerr back to fitness. Kerr subbed on in the 55th minute against France, her longest appearance of the tournament. After playing for more than an hour with extra time, she could be ready to start in the semifinal.
The Matildas have had clean sheets in four of their five matches. The one that was not was a 3-2 loss to Nigeria in group play.
The Lionesses have had plenty of close matches this World Cup. Outside of a 6-1 shellacking of China, England had two 1-0 wins in group play, survived in penalties against Nigeria (after 120 minutes of goalless play) and beat Colombia 2-1. With a rocking crowd in Sydney, it would be a minor surprise to see the English get an easy victory despite an edge in talent and big match experience after winning the Euros last year.
This is the first time Australia has made it this far in a World Cup, but it is England’s third straight semifinal. In the previous two, the Lionesses lost 2-1. For this match, however, the English are favored.
The winner of this game will get a minor edge in the final. Both this semifinal and the final take place in Stadium Australia.
More from the 2023 World Cup
Australia are gaining momentum but England are now better placed to deal with their threats
Football in Australia finds its moment – ‘The rest of the world has woken up’
England’s defence might just win them the Women’s World Cup
(Photo of Sam Kerr: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images)
