expectations at every crucial junction of this tournament. they ve managed to put deep differences aside and create memorable moments on the pitch. they now face england, a formidable foe, for a chance to lift that trophy for the first time. but no matter what the result is, this women s world cup has inspired a whole new generation of young players. it s a testament to how far the women s game has come that many of the players who grew up with only male role models have now themselves become idols. now there s a real opportunity to get into soccer, like there s somewhere to go afterwards. i think that women s popularity has improved a lot. it sjust been really inspiring - to watch them break so many records. the countdown to the final is on, and there are some very strong opinions here. spain. england. spain. england! shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.
inquiry led by a judge. those are some of the headlines we re looking at this hour. you re watching bbc news. now on bbc news, sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. i m hugh ferris. our headlines this evening. the lionesses will soon wake up for the biggest day of their sporting lives, one that could write their names into football history. i think everyone knows how big this is. i think it s been the players dream for years, so everyone already knows that. while back home still one more sleep to go for these fans and millions of others preparing to watch the world cup final against spain in sydney.
a superb finish from alessia russo! brilliant. it a superb finish from alessia russo! brilliant. , ., a superb finish from alessia russo! brilliant.- montmelo! - brilliant. it is two! montmelo! sain are brilliant. it is two! montmelo! spain are world brilliant. it is two! montmelo! spain are world cup brilliant. it is two! montmelo! spain are world cup finalists. | brilliant. it is two! montmelo! | spain are world cup finalists. it brilliant. it is two! montmelo! - spain are world cup finalists. it is a russo! spain are world cup finalists. it 3 a russo! england are heading for the world cup final. get a russo! england are heading for the world cup final. hello there. we ve had some sunny spells and showers for much of england, wales and northern ireland, thicker cloud at times through scotland, with some outbreaks of rain, but some brighter moments at times, too. and as we head through saturday night, the showers are still with us
a match england have had to contest at the last two world cups as losing semifinalists. here they ve gone one better. the challenge now, to secure their place in history. dan roan, bbc news, sydney. while plenty 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.