an exciting day ahead, dan roan, brisbane. an exciting day ahead, dan roan. many — brisbane.. cu, reeta. we have had a bit of summer warmth of this week but some of that has begun to ebb away. yesterday eastern england was the warm spot at around 27 celsius. i think some more of that summer warmth is going to ebb away into the weekend, some slightly cooler weather, and showery, always driest towards the south and east, furthest away from the centre of this area low pressure. yes, another weekend with low pressure in charge but that does not mean it is going to be raining all of the time, there will be some dry gaps in between the showers. overnight tonight we are going to see some quite heavy rain swinging across northern ireland into the western side of scotland, the occasional shower elsewhere, clearer skies further east, another fairly muggy night but not as warm as last night. into tomorrow, this band of rain pushing eastwards, some particularly heavy rain moving across parts of scotland. behind that, a mixture of sunny spells and showers, ahead of that, parts of eastern

our sports editor dan roan has more. it was the lionesses' greatest triumph, becoming champions of europe on home soil. a year on, they remain on course to surpass even that with a first—ever appearance in the world cup final the prize, if they can beat familiarfoes here in sydney. it's going to be a very competitive game. lots of players from australia also play in the women's super league, so they know each other really well and of course, they want to beat us, but we want to beat them. so that's the main competitiveness we will get in front of us tomorrow. england's comeback victory over colombia in the last round has given them belief that this time they can go all the way, and seem to be relishing taking on the co—hosts, australia. in terms of the crowd, i think we're just super excited to play in front of a really intense, full stadium. for the women's game, that's what we want. that's what we expect now at these big tournaments, especially in a semi—final. so for us, we thrive in those moments. these lionesses kno

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.ho england — or australia — will be playing in sunday's final in sydney, and that is spain, who beat sweden 2—1 in auckland on tuesday, with all the drama coming in the final ten minutes as our sports correspondent andy swiss reports. the stakes could hardly be higher. sweden and spain emerge knowing a place in the world cup final was within their sides, but who would seize it? it looked tight on paper and for 80 minutes it was, spain went close before the break and afterwards so did sweden. but a goal seemed elusive, until with 12 minutes left, spain our head through super sub salma paralluelo on the biggest of stages, the coolest of finishes. but the drama had onlyjust begun. fix, finishes. but the drama had onlyjust begun.— finishes. but the drama had onlyjust begun. only 'ust begun. a chance for the onlyjust begun. a chance for the equaliser. _ onlyjust begun. a chance for the equaliser. rebecka - the equaliser. rebecka blomqvist _ the equaliser. rebecka blomqvist blasted - the equa

.# well, our sports editor dan roan is in sydney and was at the game. a moment is this for the lionesses? it's another seismic moment on their journey of success, reeta. england's campaign here in australia had already been testament to the resolve of a side that had to cope with the adversary of injuries to key players, the suspension of their top scorer and a slow start, but then came the toughest test to date, trying to take on the co—hosts themselves in front of 70,000 fans at the national stadium in the sense that they were having to take on an entire nation as well as a team. but as ever, this side dug deep and found a way. not since this stadium was the focal point of the olympics here 23 years ago has a sports event brought australia to a standstill quite like this. the matildas�* pursuit of world cup glory on home soil has gripped a nation and inspired new fans. but threatening to crash the party, england — vastly outnumbered amid a sea of green and gold, but daring to dream. we're outnumbered 1000 to i, but we're going to be the loudest fans in

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.

dan roan, bbc news, sydney. it will be a corker. caulking whether or not?ers, waking up to tomorrow morning. a bit of everything there, thunderstorms, sunny spells, humid, warm, too. here is thejet stream. sunny spells, humid, warm, too. here is the jet stream. multiple areas of low pressure forming and the storms are starting to develop towards the south. this is what it looks like now, here is the weather front. shower sweep into the south—west of the country during friday morning about sunshine for the lake district, for western parts of scotland. to the south we have done post. apps will struggle because areas could be large. gusty winds, torrential rain leading to some flash flooding in places. strong winds in northern parts of wales but in western and northern scotland, sunshine, cloudy skies on the north sea coast. all sorts of weather happening there on friday, really difficult to summarise in such a short space of time. 23 in london, 19 in glasgow. now friday night, a developing area of low pressure here with the risk of gale force winds across the

dan roan, bbc news, sydney. players, who stayed to watch as their opponents lifted the trophy in sydney. there were tears, but also an acceptance that it hadn't been their day. it's really hard to take. but we gave everything. we can hand on heart say that we gave everything. in the first half, we weren't at our best, second half, we definitely bounced back, showed ourfight, showed our character. and we had chances. we did. we hit the ball, we had chances, we just didn't have that final edge today, and obviously they put theirs in the back of the net. of course it feels really bad now. you go into the final, you want to give everything, you want to win the final, and then you lose it, but that happens in sports too. but i think what we have done, how we have shown ourselves, who we are, how we want to play as a team, overcoming so many challenges, i think we can be very proud of ourselves, only it doesn't feel that way at the moment. you go into the final, you want to win the final, you lose it, but that happens

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.cting a wall of green and gold at the stadium tomorrow but england fans say what they lacked in numbers they will make up for in noise. jane dou~all, they will make up for in noise. jane dougall. thank _ they will make up for in noise. jane dougall, thank you _ they will make up for in noise. jane dougall, thank you and good luck to the lionesses for tomorrow. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. thank you and what a difference a day makes. this is how it looks yesterday in scarborough with gray, leaden skies and spots of rain forced up today, not completely blue sky and sunshine but certainly a lot brighter. over the next few days it will get warmer as well, also starting to feel rather humid. through the rest of this afternoon it's not all plain sailing. there are some showers around, particularly heavy ones across parts of northern england and up to southern and central parts of scotland but many spots staying largely dry. temperatures of 21 in glasgow, maybe 25 in norwi

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.y have made the trip to see the final in sydney tomorrow, the prince of wales has apologised for not being one of them. queen letizia is going to watch spain, but william, who is also the president of the fa did send this message to the lionesses. lionesses, we want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow. we're sorry we can't be there in person. but we're so proud of everything you've achieved and the millions you've inspired here and around the world. so go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves. good luck, lionesses! england's lionesses take on spain in what is both teams�* first final in the women's event. shaimaa khalil looks at spain's dramaticjourney to the world cup final and how this tournament has inspired young players. and done! gabi lopez has been following his national team's phenomenal rise in the women's world cup down under. as a former player in spain's second division, this final hits very close to home. i've been watching the tv in spain, the radio, and ev

from sydney, here's our sports editor dan roan.ses today after the quarterfinal victory that kept sarina wiegman�*s side on course for world cup glory. the team's comeback against colombia in sydney, testament to its resilience and a growing belief. but with a first—ever appearance in the final at stake, the european champions now face their toughest test to date here, the co—hosts, australia. i’m here, the co-hosts, australia. i'm so excited — here, the co-hosts, australia. i'm so excited for _ here, the co—hosts, australia. in so excited for it. i love being in situations like that. i feel like we are definitely going to thrive from it. ifeel like when are definitely going to thrive from it. i feel like when we are at our best we are unstoppable. cortnee vine, at best we are unstoppable. cortnee vine. at her _ best we are unstoppable. cortnee vine, at her first _ best we are unstoppable. cortnee vine, at her first world _ best we are unstoppable. cortnee vine, at her first world cup. - vine, at her first world cup. australia, _ v

dan roan, bbc news, sydney. drinks i'm sure will be enjoyed on wednesday.s stadium were in for a bit of a surprise when seven time superbowl champion tom brady showed up to join them! there is though a reason for tom brady turning up at the roost. the former quarterback is involved with the club's new owners and stayed on to watch them beat leeds 1—nil in the championship. dan pallett reports. cheering. birmingham city fans are buoyant and it is due to the new american owners and the owners are pleased to be here. tom wagoner and tom brady's first game saw the blues beat leeds 1—0 with a penalty. the team played well. i think the club played the maximum. everyone all around the stadium did a wonderfuljob. we are pleased with how things turned out and it is the first step in a long journey. the fans got me energised. hearing the chants, i've got to learn the songs. it is a great way to start this whole experience. it is a very diverse and young city. lots of immigrant population that are coming in. enormous energy. when you put all of that together, you crea

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.and captain millie bright had to say following her team's defeat. it's really hard to take. but we gave everything. we can hand on heart say that we gave everything. in the first half, we weren't at our best, second half, we definitely bounced back, showed ourfight, showed our character. and we had chances. we did. we hit the ball, we had chances, just didn't have that final edge today, and obviously they put theirs in the back of the net. we've been 1—0 down in a game before and we've bounced back, and that was the aim today. we never gave in. and, yeah, sometimes it's hard to take, but it's football, and we are absolutely heartbroken, but we can hand on heart say we gave everything and, yeah, unfortunately we just weren't there today. and let's hear from the england coach, sarina wiegman. of course, everyone was very disappointed that we didn't win the game. at the other hand, i think we can be very proud of ourselves, only it doesn't feel that way at this moment. that takes a little

playing either england or australia in sunday's final in sydney, that's where our sports editor dan roanthis women's world cup has surpassed all expectations. a huge sense of excitement and anticipation building here in australia at this ground—breaking women's world cup. it's already breaking all kinds of records, more tickets have been sold here than for any other world cup before it. there's been huge merchandise sales, bumper tv viewing figures as well, especially when the mattel the australian team, have been playing, and if excitement levels were high here in here and in using them, the co—host, they've only been intensified as a result of an extraordinary penalty shoot—out victory australia enjoyed over france in the quarterfinal at the weekend. there's been comparisons drawn in terms of the viewing figures with that iconic gold medal performance by cathy freeman 23 years ago at the olympics that were held here and now, of course, they face their arch rivals, sporting rivals anyway, england, in this titanic semifinal on wednesday evening. australia course

a sell out 80,000 seater stadium australia in sydney for a place in the final. 0ur sports editor dan roan�* greatest triumph, becoming champions of europe on home soil. a year on, they remain on course to surpass even that, with a first—ever appearance in the world cup final the prize, if they can beat familiarfoes here in sydney. it's going to be a very competitive game. lots of players from australia also play in the women's super league, so they know each other really well and of course, they want to beat us, but we want to beat them. so that's the main competitiveness we will get in front of us tomorrow. england's comeback victory over colombia in the last round has given them belief that this time they can go all the way, and seem to be relishing taking on the co—hosts, australia. in terms of the crowd, i think we're just super excited to play in front of a really intense, full stadium. for the women's game, that's what we want.

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.t they were aiming to travel to europe via the spanish canary islands. it's a route that's become more popular over recent years, but it's widely regarded as one of the most dangerous. and after a boat illegally carrying migrants to the uk sank in the english channel last week, four people have now been detained. six of those on board lost their lives. in the last seven days alone, more than 2,000 people have tried to cross the channel in small boats. our correspondent tom symonds is in northern france for us tonight yeah, reeta, a criminal investigation into two iraqi nationals and two sudanese nationals following that sink in, and in the last few days we've been here trying to understand why that horrifying demonstration of the risks has changed the mindset in any way among the migrants who live in the camps along this coast and try to cross to france. and we've been examining the night—time game of cat and mouse, where the french police try to stop them. on wasteland close to dunkir

dan roan, bbc news, sydney. time for a look at the weather. here's tomasz schafernaker.ng a warmer and crucially more humid over the next few days and my goodness, we have high pressure over us right now, be it relatively weak, so a lot of fine unsettled weather and light winds tonight and a few showers in the north but light winds tonight will lead to mist and fog patches around some of the country roots first thing in the morning so don't be surprised if you run into thick fog for a time but it will be quickly dispersed. these are the morning temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees and then tomorrow a lot of sunshine around but a few showers developing and if you squint you might see they are almost like tiny flies and you can see little blobs a few miles across but other than that are mostly bright if not sunny day and a bit more cloud across scotland and a bit more cloud across scotland and 22 in glasgow and the lows might be in the mid 20s across parts of the country tomorrow and the mid—20s and a fine end to the day tomorrow, so not looking bad at all. here is the r

i know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. 0ur sports editor dan roan wasthe final and spoke to us about the potential impact this tournament will have on the women's game. it has been a ground—breaking tournament here in australia and new zealand. the most watched ever. there have been record tv figures and record figures. it has made more money than ever before. some of the traditional giants like the united states and germany, they left the party early. he did not have these one—sided results as you have seen in the past. the final exemplified that. that was a fantastic spain side, where the champions, they have really taken the technical side of women's for about a new level. they got the finale it really deserved and the legacy could be profound. there is talk of equal pay coming in in time for the next women's world cup. i did feel like this tournament, and england were a crucial part of that, changed perceptions and there is a hope there will be a change nationally and domestically in terms of grassroots participation and viewing figures and audience

sports editor dan roan has more on this significant moment in english women's sport.y be a once—in—a—lifetime defining moment, notjust for this team but for the women's game and indeed english sport more generally. the lionesses have already made history, they will become the first senior england team to walk out for a world cup final on foreign soil ever. but if they can add a global title to their european crown it would be an outstanding achievement when you consider the fewer resources they have had compared to their rivals like the us, it would establish them as a dominant force in the women's game, it would be a triumph not just for these players, whose humility and talent

our sports editor dan roan is in sydney and sent us this report. an undying belief. england into the world cup final. and this is a tournament the lionesses have had to battle through, overcoming injury, the suspension of a star player... find suspension of a star player... and the no suspension of a star player... and they go through! _ they go through! and penalty shoot—out. but despite such adversity, the team has prevailed, and now they play the biggest game of their lives. you like you are about to do something which only one other person in history has done, lead an england team out of the world cup final. does it feel like a dream?- team out of the world cup final. does it feel like a dream? yes, it is massive- _ does it feel like a dream? yes, it is massive- i _ does it feel like a dream? yes, it is massive. i think— does it feel like a dream? yes, it is massive. i think it's _ does it feel like a dream? yes, it is massive. i think it's the - does it feel like a dream? yes, it| is massive. i think it's the biggest is massive. i think it�*s t

the fa's women's technical director, kay cossington, has been speaking to our sports editor dan roanment is only getting started. i thought last summer was the emotional part, but this is even more so. it emotional part, but this is even more so. , ., emotional part, but this is even more so. , . . , , emotional part, but this is even moreso. . _ _, more so. it is an incredibly proud moment. — more so. it is an incredibly proud moment, watching _ more so. it is an incredibly proud moment, watching them - more so. it is an incredibly proud moment, watching them grow. more so. it is an incredibly proud. moment, watching them grow and evolve. it's really proud moment and i are honoured to be a part of that, the incredible individuals driving this game forward on and off the pitch. it is a really proud moment. last year was a huge boost for women's — last year was a huge boost for women's football in terms of profile and participation. how much more of and participation. how much more of a boost _ and participation. how much more of a boost would it be if their women could _ a boost woul

our sports editor dan roan sent this report from sydney.p final with a memorable victory over co—hosts australia, england's preparations have continued to go smoothly in sydney, a fully fit squad enjoying a final training session on the eve of the match, intent on surpassing the match, intent on surpassing the european crown they claimed last year. your players are about to play the biggest game of their lives, when you look in their eyes, what do you say? i see calmness, we

dan roan in s dne .efore we get the weather forecast, two american tourists, who'd spent as newsnight reveals payments were made to her company for appearances in connection with her late father's charity — a deal the charity is now investigating. while hannah ingram—moore was the salaried interim ceo of the captain tom foundation, her family company was paid to judge awards connected to the foundation itself. also tonight. two years ago the taliban swept to power again in afghanistan after the chaotic withdrawal by the us. we speak to two women who fled the country to ask what can be done to help the women left behind. we have an update on a newsnight invesigation after six former metropolitcan police officers are charged after sending racsit messages on whatsapp. and.... you will not make a laughing stock of my family, or as quick as boiled asparagus, i'll have you out! out! i, claudius meets i—player as the bbc starts repeating this classic series. but will its sex and lies on videotape satisfy a mode

lots of reaction to come, but first our sports editor dan roan looks back at a night of high drama atdium australia. not since the stadium was the focal point of the olympics here 23 years ago, had a sports event brought australia to a standstill quite like this. the mille matildas pursuit has gripped the nation and inspired new fans. threatening to crash the party, england. vastly outnumbered by a sea of green and gold, but daring to dream. ._ by a sea of green and gold, but darinu to dream. . ~ ., , daring to dream. . were outnumbered. in a deafening — daring to dream. . were outnumbered. in a deafening atmosphere _ daring to dream. . were outnumbered. in a deafening atmosphere they - daring to dream. . were outnumbered. in a deafening atmosphere they face i in a deafening atmosphere they face their toughest test. the matildas, buoyed by the return of superstar sam kerr after injury, captain's first start of the world cup. an early sign of the threat to pace would pose. the lioness responded. alex greenwood finding georgia stanway, the midfielder denied. greenwood booked after getti

our sports editor dan roan reports from sydney. england were yet to set this world cup alight. their fans arrived hoping their team would now show why they were among the favourites to be crowned champions. opponents, colombia, with the lowest rank of the quarter finalists, a tournament that has become known for upsets, their armoury of supporters thought they were going to produce another. england knew if they were going to reach the final all four of their as columbia put bodies on the line. already made history by reaching the last stage for the first time, now they show why. it's all the way in, it streamlined for columbia. lisi santos with a superb shot from a distance, columbia celebrating like they had won the world cup itself. tournament, england needed a response and had some good fortune. the goalkeepers, and it's in. hemp stabbing home the equaliserjust before the interval. the european champion started the second half as it ended the first. russo! she's done it! georgia stanway past falling for rousseau, england the lead they crave. now desperate columbia remained d

sports editor dan roan has more on this significant moment in english women's sport. a real sense here that this could potentially be a once—in—a—lifetime defining moment, notjust for this team but for the women's game and indeed english sport more generally. the lionesses have already made history, they will become the first senior england team to walk out for a world cup final on foreign soil ever. but if they can add a global title to their european crown it would be an outstanding achievement when you consider the fewer resources they have had compared to their rivals like the us, it would establish them as a dominant force in the women's game, it would be a triumph not just for these players, whose humility and talent and approach has set them apart as role models to millions, but also to their coach sarina wiegman, who has turned the side into a formidable force over the past two years. and indeed for the fa, whose investment in this side over the past decade has paid off emphatically. and of course, for many it would be a hugely symbolic and powerful completion

our sports editor dan roan has more. cue the party!re in sports—mad australia, it's a moment that will never be forgotten. victory over france after a nerve—shredding penalty shoot—out earned the matildas, as the team is known, a first appearance in the semifinals at their own world cup, thrilling a nation in the process. but now comes the mouthwatering prospect of european champions england, and even the co—hosts admit that they're underdogs. look at resources financially, obviously they are a massive favourite going into this game, but if you then add the belief we have, but the one thing that we have that they don't have is the support and the belief from the fans, and that itself is going to be massive. this vast stadium will shortly be filled with more than 70,000 australia fans, all desperate to see their side progress to the final at the expense of england, whose supporters here will of course be vastly outnumbered. the big question — whether their team can spoil the co—hosts�* party. australia has enjoyed the upper hand so far

dan roan has more on the significant moments in english women's sport. a, moments in english women'slish women's sort, ., , , moments in english women's sort. . , , ., , sport. a real sense that this could be _ sport. a real sense that this could be a _ sport. a real sense that this l could be a once-in-a-lifetime could be a once—in—a—lifetime defining moment notjust for defining moment not just for this defining moment notjust for this team but english sport more generally. the lionesses have already made history, they will become the first senior england team to walk out for a world cup final on foreign soil ever, and if they can add a world title to their european crown it would be an outstanding achievement when you consider the fewer resources they have had compared to the us, it would establish them as a dominant force, it would be a client not just for these players,

she�*s been talking to dan roan.n era for england, and as she prepared for sunday�*s world cup final, the dutch—born coach told me the significance of this moment. with this team, and with the challenges we had before the tournament, when we were here and how we find a way all the time to to solve problems has been amazing. and the resilience the team showed has been really good. and i think it�*s very special to be in the final. but now we want to win it, too. despite injuries to key players in the build up and a slow start here in australia, england have reached a first final. so what makes this team so special? i think first of all, talent. second, the eagerness to improve every day and to perform at the highest level. and, also, they support each other really well. and being very, very resilient. remarkably, wiegman�*s reached the final of the last four major tournaments, having coached world cup runners up the netherlands in 2019. and we all know what happened last year. european champions! the fa has said any a

speaking to our sports editor dan roan, she said the team has

our sports editor dan roan reports from sydney. it�*s toone! reports from sydney.

but first, here's our sports editor dan roan sent this report from sydney.ing booked their place in the world cup final with a memorable victory over co—hosts australia, england's preparations have continued to go smoothly in sydney, a fully fit squad enjoying a final training session on the eve of the match, intent on surpassing the european crown they claimed last year. your players are about to play the biggest game of their lives, when you look in their eyes, what do you say? when you look in their eyes, what do you see? i see calmness, we are in a good place, everyone is fit, the team is confident and we want to play our best game. this is a tournament the lionesses have had to battle through, overcoming injury, the suspension of a star player and a penalty shoot—out. but despite such adversity, the team has prevailed. i think everyone knows how big this is. i think it's been players' dreams for years, so everyone already knows that. we know how passionate the nation is back home, and how much they want us to win, but for us as a process we have a game

our sports editor dan roan has more. cue the party!n here in sports—mad australia, it's a moment that will never be forgotten. victory over france after a nerve—shredding penalty shoot—out earned the matildas, as the team is known, a first appearance in the semifinals at their own world cup, thrilling a nation in the process. but now comes the mouthwatering prospect of european champions england, and even the co—hosts admit that they're underdogs. look at resources financially, obviously they are a massive favourite going into this game, but if you then add the belief we have, but the one thing that we have that they don't have is the support and the belief from the fans, and that itself is going to be massive. this vast stadium will shortly be filled with more than 70,000 australia fans, all desperate to see their side progress to the final at the expense of england, whose supporters here will of course be vastly outnumbered. the big question — whether their team can spoil the co—hosts' party. australia has enjoyed the upper hand so f

dan roan, bbc news, sydney. now here's the weather with ben rich. hello there.ghter. and over the next few days, we can expect it to turn a little bit warmer as well. it will start to feel quite humid. now, through this evening and tonight, most places will be dry with clear spells, but we'll keep more in the way of cloud across northern and eastern parts of scotland, maybe north—east england, bringing just one or two showers through the early hours of wednesday. a few fog patches are likely to form as well. temperatures generally holding up between 9 and 13 degrees. it mayjust be a little bit cooler than that across some parts of east wales, the west midlands and down into the west country. so for southern england, parts of wales, northern england, southern scotland, northern ireland, we do have the potential for some fog patches through the morning, and at this time of year, that fog can linger for a couple of hours. so it may still be quite murky for some through the morning rush hour, but that fog will then lift and clear. we'll see some spells of sunshine.

dan roan, bbc news, sydney. this programme continues on bbc one.fter a trial lasting 10 months, a jury decided nurse lucy letby deliberately injected seven babies with air, force—fed others milk and poisoned some with insulin. her victims included twins and two boys in a set of identical triplets, who she murdered within 2a hours of each other. consultants who told hospital managers they had concerns about letby were forced to apologise to herfor raising suspicions. we'll ask why bosses at the countess of chester hospital, where she worked, failed to investigate the deaths for so long. there is only one serial killer of babies. the executive team were not the people who were responsible for the deaths of those babies, but they had some opportunities to get to the bottom of what was happening. and why does a health professional trained to save lives become a serial killer? the person who kills within a healthcare setting has already developed the desire to kill, and if you want to kill, of course you're going to identify people who are vulnerable, p

our sports editor dan roan has been talking to peter hutton, a former eurosport executive and head ofhe saudi pro league. what do you think is the ultimate ambition, peter, of the pro league? i mean, do you believe it can realistically soon rival major european leagues? i think the main ambition is really to do what every league tries to do, right, which is to create stories, to make people excited, to sort of really invigorate the sport in the kingdom of saudi arabia. you know, that's the first and foremost ambition. it clearly wants to be one of the better leagues in the world, but i think the best part of it is about what can we do within the country, what can we create, what sort of dreams, what sort of ambitions can we stimulate for both young women and young male players? and you truly believe that, do you? because you'll have heard the criticisms, peter, you'll have heard the arguments raised by human rights campaigners and others that they believe that this is ultimately another example of sportswashing by a middle eastern country trying to use sport to distract from human rig

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.elebrities and influential figures have been sending messages of support to the lionesses�* before the big match. in a letter to the team, prime minister, rishi sunak, wished england boss, sarina wiegman, and her players good luck for the final, telling them: you ve made us all proud. labourleader sir keir starmer hailed the team as an inspiration to girls everywhere and last night the prince of wales also sent england his best wishes. lionesses, good luck for tomorrow. we are sorry we cannot be there in person but we are so proud of everything you have achieved and the millions you have inspired. go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves. there tomorrow and really en'oy yourselveefi there tomorrow and really en'oy ourselves. ., ,, , more than 7—million viewers watched england's 3—1semi—final win against australia — and many more are expected to tune in for today's final. our reporterjane dougall is inside stadium australia where the historic match will take place. jane, there's

but alessia russo�*s goal proved the difference. 0ur sports editor dan roan reports from sydney. were yet to set this world cup a light. but their fans arrived hoping their team would now show why they were among the favourites to be crowned champions. 0pponents, a colombia, with the lowest rank of the quarter finalist, a tournament that has become known for upsets, their armoury of supporters thought they were going to produce another. england knew if they were going to reach the final all four of their games would be staged here,. a flurry of chances for england they have failed to convert. already made history by reaching the last stage for the first time, now they show why. for the first time, now they show wh . �* , . ., , why. it's all the way in, it streamlined _ why. it's all the way in, it streamlined for _ why. it's all the way in, it| streamlined for columbia. why. it's all the way in, it - streamlined for columbia. alicia santos with _ streamlined for columbia. alicia santos with a _ streamlined for columbia. alicia santos with a superb _ streamlined for columbia. ali

speaking to our sports editor dan roan, she said the team has usually in areas around moscow, boughta drink to get to the city centre is quite unusual, it is wholly happy few times. you mention the unusual nature of this, last month president zelensky said the war was coming to russia, it is beginning to feel that way for ordinary russians?— it is beginning to feel that way for ordinary russians? well, the short answer is not _ ordinary russians? well, the short answer is not really. _ ordinary russians? well, the short answer is not really. if _ ordinary russians? well, the short answer is not really. if you - ordinary russians? well, the short answer is not really. if you talk- ordinary russians? well, the short answer is not really. if you talk to | answer is not really. if you talk to russians, mention, ask them about specific things, if they are concerned about drones hitting buildings, are you worried about the wagner group staging another mutiny. they shrug and say not really. if you asked more generally, are you fearfulfor you asked more generally, are you fearful for the fut

dan roan has more on the significant moments in english women's sport. 3 moments in english women's sort . moments in english women's sort, ., , , moments in english women's sort. . , , ., , sport. a real sense that this could be _ sport. a real sense that this could be a _ sport. a real sense that this l could be a once-in-a-lifetime could be a once—in—a—lifetime defining moment notjust for defining moment not just for this defining moment notjust for this team but english sport more generally. the lionesses have already made history, they will become the first senior england team to walk out for a world cup final on foreign soil ever, and if they can add a world title to their european crown it would be an outstanding achievement when you consider the fewer resources they have had compared to the us, it would establish them as a dominant force, it would be a client not just for these players, whose humility and talent and approach have set them apart as role models, but also to their coach sarina wiegman, who has turned the side into a formidable force. —— it would be a triumph. and fo

our sports editor dan roan has more. cue the party!ed the matildas, as the team is known, a first appearance in the semifinals at their own world cup, thrilling a nation in the process.

dan roan, bbc news, sydney.ave the party they had hoped for or the public holiday they so wanted if the matildas were to go all the way, but for millions of england fans back home it is going to be a big celebration, but the matildas and the women's world cup journey having made history with this first semifinal of theirs, they have become household names. they have been playing to packed stadiums and record—breaking tv viewership. and now it is on to the finals. uncharted territory for both england and spain. whoever wins that will be and spain. whoever wins that will be a new nine etched on the world cup trophy and in the history books of the women's game. we will have more on the reaction england's victory but that is it from us here in australia. studio: many thanks. shaimaa khalil reporting. inflation has fallen sharply and is now at its lowest level for more than a year. it means that prices are still going up, but not as fast. inflation stands at 6.8% in the year tojuly — that's down from 7.9% injune. it'

crowd per game—week almost tripled, access to bigger stadiums helping with that. 0ur sports editor dan roanirector kay cossington about what's been a remarkable year for the lionesses after winning the euros last summer. i thought last summer was the emotional part, but this is even more so. i think it's an incredibly proud moment, knowing these players since they eight, nine, ten and watching them grow and evolve. it's really proud moment, and i'm honoured to be a part of that, the incredible individuals driving this game forward on and off the pitch. it's a really proud moment. last year was a huge boost for women's football in terms of profile and participation. how much more of a boost could it be if england could go all the way? we saw from last summer that the growth has been astronomical, faster and bigger than we could ever have imagined. there's still work to do. i think we all know that and recognise that. we still want to push. we want to ensure that we keep investing in our talent systems and our pathways. we want to ensure that we keep growing and supporting our club infrastruc

european champions on home soil last summer — our sports editor dan roan is with the team as they continuee over when the barcelona midfielder was lectured off england's group game against denmark with a serious looking knee injury. subsequently she was given the all clear and she has since played in both of the lionesses knockout matches against nigeria and columbia in the quarterfinals. she is seen as integral and crucial to england's prospects of overcoming australia in the semifinal this week for the earlier she held a press conference and asked her about the fact that australia are the only team so far that have managed to record a win over serena deacons since the took over serena deacons since the took overfor over serena deacons since the took over for the over serena deacons since the took overfor the and over serena deacons since the took over for the and whether that might give an edge in city this week. here's what walsh said. i think if i put myself in their shoes not so much a semifinal of the world cup, it's a difficult game. i think they can take some competence from that g

lots of reaction to come, but first our sports editor dan roan looks back at a night of high drama at

our sports editor dan roan is soaking up the atmosphere in sydney for us.concerned, haven't they? yes, good morning, a huge sense of _ concerned, haven't they? yes, good| morning, a huge sense of excitement and anticipation building in australia at this ground—breaking women's world cup. it is already breaking all kinds of records, more tickets have been sold here than for any other world cup before it, there have been huge merchandise sales, bumper tv viewing figures especially as the matildas, as the australian team is known, had been playing. if excitement levels were high here they have only been intensified as a result of the extraordinary penalty shoot—out victory that australia enjoyed over france in the quarterfinal at the weekend. there have been comparisons drawn in terms of viewing figures with that iconic gold medal performance by cathy freeman some 23 years ago at the olympics that were held here. and now of course they face their arch rivals, sporting rivals, anyway, england in the titanic semifinal on wednesday evening here. australia of cour