England reach the game’s grandest stage, having fittingly reached their greatest level so far.

Such was the professionally commanding nature of this 3-1 semi-final win over hosts Australia that they somehow made this moment of glorious football history feel like it was always coming. They have just got better and better as this World Cup has gone on, as symbolised by all of Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo coming to form with goals, and as crowned now with a place in the final itself.

It was celebrated, of course, with a delirious rendition of Sweet Caroline in the centre circle.

The full report by Miguel Delaney in Sydney:

But this wasn’t the Euros final. This wasn’t Wembley. This time England were the enemy, deep in the land of Matildas fever. This time they faced the crowd, the noise, the jeers and boos, the helicopters hovering over their training session and splashing photos of their plans across the morning newspapers. They faced Australia’s biggest night in a generation. They faced the spirit of Cathy Freeman, and a moment that would unify the country. They faced Sam Kerr, and they heard the eruption that greeted the star of the World Cup finally having her moment.

Full story by Jamie Braidwood in Sydney.

England’s netballers were crowned 2018 Commonwealth Games champions with a dramatic late 52-51 win over hosts Australia on the Gold Coast.

Helen Housby netted in the final second for Tracey Neville’s side to win the most astonishing of contests.

The Roses took the game to the then three-times Commonwealth champions, with the match level 25-all at half-time.

Australia led by four goals early in the fourth quarter, but after Neville switched her side around, England rallied.

Housby claimed a vital rebound late on before dropping the shot at the second attempt – after a foul – to spark scenes of ecstasy from the England camp.

England’s men’s cricket team headed out for the 2010-11 Ashes series looking to deliver a first Ashes victory on Australian soil for 24 years.

Andrew Strauss’ side scored 517 for one declared in the second innings of the drawn opening Test at the Gabba in Brisbane – with future captain Alastair Cook making an unbeaten 235.

The foundations were set as a massive first innings of 620 for five, Kevin Pietersen scoring 227, helped secure a comfortable victory in Adelaide.

Although Australia recovered to win the third Test by 267 runs in Perth, England again came out on top in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne by an innings and 157 runs to retain the urn – before amassing 644 in their first innings in Sydney to close out a memorable 3-1 series victory.

The Lionesses were following a storied tradition by beating Australia Down Under in this World Cup. Plenty of other English sporting teams have triumphed against the old enemy in their own backyard.

Jonny Wilkinson’s last-gasp drop-goal secured England’s men a dramatic triumph in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney.

Wilkinson’s kick sealed a 20-17 extra-time victory over hosts Australia in front of a then-record record crowd of almost 83,000 – with millions more watching on television around the globe.

After the scores were locked at 14-14 at full-time following a second-half fightback from the Wallabies, Wilkinson’s fourth penalty edged Martin Johnson’s men back in front, only for Elton Flatley to level things up again.

Then, with just 28 seconds remaining, Matt Dawson’s run brought England into drop-goal range, with the scrum-half passing back to Wilkinson who slotted over the posts from 30 metres to secure the most dramatic of finishes.

After some gentle feminine pressure, I did the right thing and put my full support behind our brave Lionesses and watched the historic World Cup clash against hosts Australia.

I’m glad I did, and mended my old attitudes. I shouldn’t have needed to be told. It was a superb 90 minutes, and, for the chauvinists amongst us, further proof (were it needed), that the women’s game – and indeed this particular team – is more than a match for the men’s.

Unlike the boys, they did not disappoint and were full of skill, audacity and – most importantly – heart.

It was best displayed after Australia’s Sam Kerr equalised with a fine strike from 30 yards out. As the cliche has it, goals change games and for a while the home side were suitably emboldened – but the Lionesses recovered their composure and retained their lead after about 10 minutes. The Matildas fouled up, but there was nothing inevitable about Lauren Hemp’s finish. It was a masterclass in recovery.

Sean O’Grady explains his change of heart regarding women’s football:

William celebrated England’s “phenomenal performance” as he tweeted a personal message of congratulations after the 3-1 semi-final victory over Australia.

It is the first time the Lionesses have reached the final of a World Cup, and the first time an England football team has competed in a World Cup final since the men’s side beat West Germany in 1966.

Heir to the throne William, who is president of the Football Association (FA), will not be in Australia to witness the clash against Spain on Sunday, Kensington Palace confirmed.

Instead, he will watch the match on television as he cheers the Lionesses on.

Guards played a rendition of “Sweet Caroline” outside Buckingham Palace as the Lionesses beat Australia to reach the Women’s World Cup final.

The band of the Welsh Guards played the song - which has become an unofficial anthem for England’s national football teams - at the changing of the guard ceremony outside the palace.

Harry Kane and the Prince of Wales led the congratulations after England swept aside co-hosts Australia 3-1 to reach their first World Cup final.

The Lionesses roared past the Matildas in front of a 75,784-strong crowd thanks to second-half strikes from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo.

Ella Toone had fired England into the lead in the first half, but Sam Kerr produced a thunderous equaliser before Hemp and Russo helped Sarina Wiegman’s side end their run of World Cup last-four exits.

Kane, England’s men’s record goal-scorer, was able to provide instant reaction during an interview with Sky Sports, saying: “Massive congratulations to the Lionesses. It sounds like a heck of a game and massive congratulations. We’re all behind them and hopefully they can do it in the final.”

The prince tweeted his best wishes to the Lionesses for the final and offered his commiserations to Australia.

“What a phenomenal performance from the Lionesses – on to the final,” he said. “Commiserations to The Matildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup.”

Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo saw the European champions brush off the Matildas in Sydney, securing their place against Spain in the final on Sunday.

If you’re keen to show your support and roar on the Lionesses in the Women’s World Cup final, whether that be from your local pub or the comfort of your own sofa, it’s only right you do so while wearing a history-making England football shirt.

The England team made it to the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019, but this is the first time the Lionesses have made it to the World Cup final, despite eight more nations competing compared to the 2019 World Cup.

The Lionesses have been competing in the Women’s World Cup wearing a brand new kit from Nike and we’ve found where to shop the official shirts. With options for women, men and kids, the whole family can get behind the team and show their support.