Keira Walsh responds to bold claim Australia have mental edge over England

14 August 2023 , 11:20

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Keira Walsh in action against Colombia (Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)

Keira Walsh has denied Australia will have any psychological advantage from being the only team to date to defeat England under Sarina Wiegman.

Walsh, 26, will take part in her third consecutive major tournament semi-final against the Matildas at Sydney's Stadium Australia. The hosts are the only team to have beaten the Lionesses in Wiegman's 37 games in charge when defeating them 2-0 at Brentford back in April.

They now are the only team standing in the way of the European Champions reaching a historic World Cup final, with the winner facing Sweden or Spain on Sunday. But Walsh doesn't believe the previous meeting between the two sides gives the Matildas the edge. "I think if I put myself in their shoes, said Walsh. "Then not so much. I think the semi-final of the World Cup it is going to be a difficult game.

"They can take some confidence from that game but we weren't at our best in that game. I’m sure they are aware of that. Obviously, we’ve changed a lot since then in terms of shape and players. I think the momentum you have in a World Cup is different. They won’t be too focused on that (previous game) they know it will be a tough game as well so hopefully it will be a good game for the fans to watch."

Victory over the Aussies would put England in a second major final in 12 months, after beating Germany at Wembley to win Euro 2022 last summer. Walsh stopped short of a direct comparison of the two achievements, but said the World Cup final was a “dream.”

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“Obviously it (winning) would be a massive result,” she added. “It is hard to compare the two. Winning a trophy like that (European Championship) on home soil would always have a different feel to it. Then again we are at a World Cup. Every footballer's dream is to play at a World Cup final so for us that’s obviously the aim. Hopefully, we’ll get the job done on Wednesday.”

The titanic clash will be the latest chapter in the England-Australia sporting rivalry, taking place in the same stadium where England defeated the Wallabies to lift the 2003 Rugby World Cup. But Walsh refused to get drawn into building up the rivalry and believes it would be a huge fixture regardless of the opponent.

“Honestly, I don’t think it does add to the occasion for our players,” said Walsh. “I wouldn’t say this is a major rivalry in football. They are a great team and it is a semi-final. Whoever you’re playing it is going to be an intense game. So for us that is one of the last things we’re thinking of.”

Jack Lacey-Hatton