Alessia Russo’s second-half objective noticed England beat Colombia 2-1 within the Girls’s World Cup quarter-finals, establishing a semi-final showdown with Australia.
Many puzzled how a mentally and bodily draining last-16 win in opposition to Nigeria would have an effect on the Lionesses, however it was a much-improved efficiency in Sydney.
Nonetheless, England did go behind within the forty fourth minute as Leicy Santos’ beautiful effort noticed Mary Earps overwhelmed for under the second time within the match.
However a calamitous error from Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez allowed Lauren Hemp to poke house the equaliser with the final kick of the half.
It was one other particular person error on the again that allowed Russo (63) by to attain England’s winner, netting her second objective of the match.
England clung on to their lead as Colombia pressed for their very own equaliser within the closing half-hour, however managed to see the sport out and e book a semi-final assembly with co-hosts Australia on Wednesday – the one workforce to have overwhelmed the Lionesses beneath Sarina Wiegman.
How England noticed off Colombia
Colombia started nicely however Catalina Usme, who scored their winner in opposition to Jamaica within the final 16, shot went straight at Earps. On the different finish, Colombia put their our bodies on the road to dam efforts from Russo and Hemp. The truth is, they blocked so ferociously, Carolina Arias was finally taken off with an harm.
Either side continued to commerce blows, and Rachel Daly had two fast efforts. The primary noticed a header go straight at Perez, earlier than a curling effort from simply exterior the world whistled simply large.
Colombia went forward within the forty fourth minute in a second of magic from the spectacular Santos. She collected the ball close to the top-right nook of the world, squaring as much as Daly, earlier than sweeping a wonderful strike into the far nook with a leaping Earps unable to maintain it out.
However the Lionesses responded nicely and equalised with the ultimate kick of the half. Perez raced out to satisfy Russo’s preliminary strike, however spilled her assortment. As she scrambled to maintain the ball out, Russo’s contact despatched the ball beneath the goalkeeper, permitting Hemp to spherical Perez and slot into an open web.
Leicy Santos scored a shocking objective to see Colombia forward
Colombia fired a warning shot inside seconds of the restart – Mayra Ramirez lashing an effort into the facet of the web – however the Lionesses once more capitalised on one other Colombian error to go forward.
Russo’s marker did not take care of a by ball from Georgia Stanway. The Arsenal ahead pulled away, taking the ball large earlier than lashing house into the underside nook.
Mary Earps made a shocking save from Lorena Bedoya within the second half
However for the remaining half an hour, Colombia piled on the stress. Their finest probability got here within the 71st minute when Earps was pressured into an acrobatic, one-handed save to disclaim Lorena Bedoya’s strike from distance.
Manuela Vanegas, Ramirez and Caicedo all blazed over in eight minutes of added time as Colombia harried for a leveller, however England held on to succeed in a 3rd successive World Cup semi-final.
What’s next?
England will play Australia within the semi-finals of the Girls’s World Cup. The sport shall be performed on Wednesday, August 16 with kick-off at 11am.
What is the schedule?
Spain will play Sweden within the first semi-final will then be performed on August 15 in Auckland, with Australia going through England on August 16 on the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which is able to then host the ultimate on August 20.
A 3rd-place play-off shall be performed the day earlier than the ultimate on August 19 in Brisbane.