Samoa has gone into a state of frenzy as Toa Samoa have put their hands on the Rugby League World Cup trophy after defeating the much favoured England 27-26.

The island nation has created history yet again as they reach their first ever Rugby League World Cup final.

In Apia, flags are flying high and a motorcade of fan support has already started with the constant sound of ‘chehoo’ in the air.

Stephen Crichton's drop-goal saw the England players slump to the ground after the sides could not be separated at the end of 80 minutes.

The host nation thrashed Samoa 60-6 in the tournament opener less than a month ago but Matt Parish's side exacted a sweet revenge at Emirates Stadium.

Stephen Crichton's second try had seen the Pacific Islanders lead 26-20 in a gripping finale before Herbie Farnworth's second try and a Tommy Makinson conversion took the contest into extra time.

A crowd of 40,489 was at the home of Arsenal Football Club, well away from rugby league's traditional northern heartlands, largely expecting Shaun Wane's side to put on a display of dominance having swept aside all of their previous opponents.

Even the organisers did not expect this outcome and possibly booking Samoa to fly out the next day, something they have been guilty of last week.

Several uncharacteristic errors in both defence and attack saw them come undone against a ruthless Samoa side that showed plenty of resolve and were clinical in attack.

Tim Lafai's try was an early indicator of what was to come as the highly motivated Pacific Islanders took the game to England who fell behind for the first time in the tournament.

The 31-year-old Salford centre spent 2021 working as builder after being released by the Canterbury Bulldogs but he collected Jarome Luai's pass and evaded Kallum Watkins and Dom Young to cross in the left corner.

At times aggression spilled over, with Samoa captain Junior Paulo sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on George Williams. And it was the Warrington Wolves half-back's darting run between tacklers that sent Whitehead over as the host nation responded.

England's vulnerable right edge was exposed for the second of three occasions as Ligi Sao's dummy saw him escape Watkins.

Yet the contest appeared to have swung back in England's favour when John Bateman's try saw the hosts regain the lead only to then be on the end of a superb Samoa team try as Crichton went over.

Farnworth's power dragged the hosts back within touching distance as he held off three tacklers and Makinson's conversion and penalty ensured a grandstand finish.

But as history would have it, it was Toa Samoa who came out on top and now await the Kangaroos in the final.