England Secures First Place and Advances to Quarterfinals in the Women’s World Cup 2025
In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, England closed the group stage of the 2025 Women’s World Cup with a resounding 47-7 victory over Australia. Although the final score reflected a clear superiority, the match was not without challenges for the “Red Roses”. The victory secures England a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Scotland. On the other hand, Australia’s defeat, although significant, does not compromise their qualification, allowing them to advance to face Canada. The United States team, despite their efforts, bids farewell to the tournament with a record of one victory, one draw, and one defeat. For England, considered the favorite to lift the trophy, this match represented their most demanding test to date. Australia demonstrated a physical and challenging game in the first half, generating unusual errors in the English team. However, England managed to impose their game in the second half, scoring seven tries in front of an audience of 30,443 spectators. The triumph, however, came at a cost. England will have to monitor the physical condition of two key players in the coming days. Hannah Botterman, a front-row player, had to leave the field due to a back spasm, while Ellie Kildunne suffered a head knock.
Despite being considered the underdogs, Australia came out strong, managing to steal a lineout in the early stages of the game. Subsequently, they scored the first try of the match thanks to hooker Faitala Moleka, marking the first time England had been at a disadvantage in the tournament. England responded quickly with a try from Jess Breach, in her 50th match, but the team showed some imprecision, making mistakes and losing balls.
Australia’s effective kicking game, which forced two 50:22s in the first half, kept England under pressure. Although they managed to reach the try line on one occasion, the try was disallowed. England found more rhythm as the first half progressed, with Abby Ward and Sadia Kabeya scoring tries, but for 20 minutes, the Wallaroos posed a considerable challenge to them. The second half unfolded more predictably. England started with greater intensity, and thanks to Natasha Hunt’s quick reaction after an Australian error, Kabeya scored in the corner, securing the bonus point. Faitala Moleka of Australia received a yellow card for contact to the head, which England immediately capitalized on, scoring from the resulting penalty with another maul play and a score by Kelsey Clifford. Despite head injury exits for Kildunne and Morwenna Talling, England kept up the pace, with Clifford scoring again. Sarah Bern added another try, but was sin-binned six minutes later for a shoulder tackle. England continued to pressure the Australian defense, but the Wallaroos’ resistance and some imprecise passes prevented more points from being added in the last 15 minutes. Australia will face Canada on September 13 in Bristol, while England will play Scotland on September 14.
