ENGLAND are in the Women's World Cup final after one of the most dramatic nights in the history of the Lionesses.
Lauren James, who had been quiet for much of the match, produced a moment of pure magic in the 93rd minute to send a packed stadium into delirium and book England's place in Sunday's final against Spain in Sydney.
The match had seemed to be heading for extra time when James received the ball 25 yards from goal, turned her marker with a shimmy that left her defender on the floor, and curled a shot into the top corner that the goalkeeper never had a chance of reaching.
England had been the better side for much of the match but had been frustrated by a well-organised French defence and by their own profligacy in front of goal. Beth Mead had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half. Alessia Russo hit the post twice. The French goalkeeper, making her 50th international appearance, produced several outstanding saves.
France equalised in the 78th minute through a deflected free kick that wrong-footed the England goalkeeper. For fifteen minutes, it looked as though England's World Cup dream might end in the lottery of a penalty shootout. Then James produced her moment of genius.
England manager Sarina Wiegman, who has now led the Lionesses to a European Championship and a World Cup final, was typically composed in her post-match assessment. "We showed character," she said. "We kept believing. Lauren is a special player and she showed that tonight."
Sunday's final kicks off at 11am UK time. England's last World Cup final appearance was in 2023, when they lost to Spain on the same ground.