As the Lionesses stand on the cusp of history it is easy to forget how much they have overcome.
England might be clear favourites but before the tournament many were sceptical about their chances.
Sarina Wiegman’s side breezed through the Euros on home soil but they travelled here without several of their leading lights.
Captain Leah Williamson and top scorer from the Euros, Beth Mead, are sidelined with injuries, and Fran Kirby is also missing. Their all-time leading scorer, Ellen White, and most experienced player and midfield plan B, Jill Scott, have retired.
Two warm-up games without a win suggested England were struggling to cope with so much upheaval, but the emergence of Lauren James helped to compensate. Other players have risen to the occasion.
Jess Carter has been a rock in Wiegman’s new-look back three, while Lauren Hemp is having an outstanding run alongside the clinical Alessia Russo.
Ella Toone — who is most under threat from James’s return after her moment of madness — showed she is a player for the big occasion with a goal in the semi-final and stalwarts like Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood have raised their game.
When Wiegman’s side have hit rocks, they have refused to flinch. They have shown a remarkable spirit. If they win at Stadium Australia, the Lionesses will achieve what England’s men side have never managed by winning a World Cup on foreign soil.
Behind so much of England’s success is Wiegman, who is now indisputably the best tournament coach in football, preparing to coach at a fourth consecutive final.
The Dutchwoman barely tinkered with her formula at the Euros but has had to come up with a whole new system here. She has turned England from also-rans into a group of relentless winners, although their biggest test yet now awaits.
