Global News

[ad_1] SYDNEY: Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo did the damage late on in Sydney as England shattered Australian dreams Wednesday with a clinical 3-1 win to set up a Women's World Cup final against Spain. The Lionesses had stumbled at the same stage twice before but the European champions made no mistake this time to reach the final for the first time. They took the lead nine minutes before the break with Manchester United's Ella Toone unleashing a rocket just inside the box with the outside of her boot. A fit-again Sam Kerr, starting for the first time this tournament, hit back for the home side in the second half with a world-class goal that set the game on fire, picking up the ball and letting fly from 30 yards after a weaving run. It sparked ecstatic scenes from the 75,784-strong partisan crowd. But they were silenced eight minutes later when Hemp muscled her way into the box and stabbed into the corner before Russo put the icing on the cake with four minutes lef...

[ad_1] WELLINGTON: Rampant Spain issued a Women's World Cup warning on Friday with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica while Switzerland ensured there would be no fairytale debut for the Philippines. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was meanwhile the hero for Nigeria by saving a penalty to earn them a 0-0 draw with Olympic champions Canada. Spain's build-up to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand was clouded by a simmering row involving a group of 15 players who refused to feature under coach Jorge Vilda. Three eventually returned to the squad for the World Cup and one of them, Aitana Bonmati, was on the scoresheet in Wellington as La Roja launched wave after wave of attacks at the overwhelmed Costa Rican defence. An own goal put Spain on their way and after Bonmati netted, Esther Gonzalez made it three in a ruthless six-minute first-half spell to kill off Costa Rica in double-quick time. In truth Spain should have won by many more -- Jennifer Hermoso fluffed a first-hal...

[ad_1] AUCKLAND: Megan Rapinoe admitted Sunday to some frustration over her limited playing time for the United States at the Women's World Cup but believes she can still change games off the bench for the holders. The veteran was a regular starter in the US teams that won the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, but at the age of 38 she is no longer a first pick in a side now coached by Vlatko Andonovski. After getting half an hour as a substitute in the opening 3-0 win over Vietnam, Rapinoe did not get on as the defending champions battled back to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands in their last game. Speaking in Auckland, she opened up on some frustration at not playing more of a role on the field, but also hopes her experience off the pitch can help the Americans' 14 World Cup newcomers. "You still have a lot to offer both on and off the field. Maybe you are not going to be a starter, playing the 90 minutes, but sometimes as a bench player that is not what you need,...

[ad_1] MIAMI: Jamaica must put rows with their federation behind them and get star striker Khadija Shaw firing if they are to win a match at the Women's World Cup for the first time. The disputes, which became very public, emerged after frustration over a lack of friendly games in the build-up to the tournament that begins next week in Australia and New Zealand. The team did though go to a training camp in Amsterdam as they prepare for their second straight World Cup appearance and have received some late assistance from corporate backers. The Reggae Girlz made their tournament debut in France four years ago and, placed in a tough group, returned home after three defeats. The losses to Brazil, Italy and Australia, all with longer histories in the women's game and greater resources, were no disgrace and there are signs that the Caribbean team could do better this time despite the turbulence. Jamaica face Brazil, France and CONCACAF rivals Panama in another demandi...