A Redcar expat who said he would watch the Lionesses England game with his Australian wife on "opposite" ends of the couch has expressed his joy at the result.

The Lionesses triumphed this afternoon (August 16), beating Australia 3-1 in the semi-final of the womens World Cup 2023 with England fans from across the globe celebrating the result.

However, the experience for one England fan from Teesside who tuned into the match was quite different as he watched with his family and friends made up of Australian fans.

Read more: Redcar man to watch England World Cup semi final with Australian wife

Alex Finlayson, who is originally from Redcar in Teesside and now lives in Jimboomba, Queensland, Australia, previously said watching the match with his wife Kelly will create an “odd atmosphere”, as he said he would continue to root for his home team.

Mr Finlayson had previously said he would be outnumbered on match day as he and his wife planned to watch the game with their daughter Charli, 14, son Samson, 12, and their Australian friends who will all be supporting Australia.

Alex, 41, has now confirmed that the couple did indeed watch the World Cup semi-final “on opposite ends of the couch”.

Mr Finlayson, who is originally from Redcar in Middlesbrough and now lives in Jimboomba, Queensland, Australia with his wife and two children, said they were both “talking to and shouting at the TV for different reasons” throughout the tense 90-minute semi-final match which saw the Lionesses win 3-1.

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Of his wife’s reaction score, Mr Finlayson told the PA news agency: “(She) was happy for England to get to their first final but gutted for Australia…especially after Kerr’s epic goal.”

He said that his two children, aged 12 and 14, started to watch the game but they “didn’t quite get onboard with mum and dad’s passion”, adding that he and his wife “basically spoke to ourselves for 90 minutes…out loud…on opposite ends of the couch”.

Mr Finlayson said he and his family will “absolutely” be watching the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.