Commonwealth Games 2026: England to face Australia in bronze-medal match

England will face Australia in the bronze-medal match at the Commonwealth Games 2026 after both teams were eliminated from contention for gold in Saturday’s semi-finals. The outcome sets up a rematch of the 2022 final, where Australia triumphed over Jamaica, but this time the Roses and the Diamonds will compete for a medal rather than the top prize.

England’s netball team fell to New Zealand in a 61-54 semi-final clash, a result that left captain Fran Williams and her squad grappling with frustration. The Silver Ferns, led by towering goal shooter Grace Nweke, dominated the match with clinical precision, extending their lead to 16-11 by the end of the first quarter. England’s efforts to rally were hampered by inconsistent shooting and a lack of cohesion, despite a late push that narrowed the gap to seven points. Williams acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “We weren’t anywhere near our best today.” However, she emphasized the importance of regrouping for the bronze medal match, where “we’re still in the race for that.”

Eleanor Cardwell, England’s goal shooter, expressed determination to “get that bronze medal” despite the defeat. Her comments followed a performance marked by moments of resilience, including a late rally that briefly kept hopes alive. Cardwell’s confidence in the team’s “juice left in the tank” underscored the Roses’ resolve to avoid a second consecutive final appearance without a gold, a feat they achieved in 2018.

The other semi-final delivered one of the most dramatic upsets in Commonwealth Games netball history. Jamaica, the underdogs, stunned Australia with a 46-45 victory, ending the Diamonds’ streak of reaching the final since the event’s inclusion in 1998. The match hinged on a last-second penalty shot by Australia’s Sophie Dwyer, which missed by inches, allowing Jamaica to secure its first win against Australia in nine attempts. The victory sent Jamaica to its second consecutive final, avenging a 2022 loss to the same opponent.

New Zealand’s path to the final was paved by Nweke’s extraordinary performance, which saw her score 52 goals from 57 attempts. Her height advantage and composure under pressure proved insurmountable for England, despite substitutions and tactical adjustments. Coach Anna Stembridge attributed the defeat to New Zealand’s “clinical” execution and acknowledged the inexperience of her squad, many of whom were competing in their first Commonwealth Games semi-final. She emphasized that the lesson learned would benefit the team’s preparations for future competitions.

Australia’s exit from the tournament marked a historic low, as the Diamonds failed to reach the final for the first time in their 28-year Commonwealth Games history. The loss also highlighted the shifting dynamics in netball, with Jamaica’s emergence as a formidable force and New Zealand’s continued dominance. For England, the bronze-medal match represents a chance to salvage a podium finish after a campaign that included a semi-final exit and a focus on rebuilding for the future.

Meanwhile, other events at the Games saw Canada’s 4x100m relay teams advance to finals, while judo and boxing competitions delivered further medal opportunities. However, the netball semi-finals remained the focal point, with the bronze-medal match set to determine the final standings for two teams eager to end their campaigns on a high note.