ENGLAND have booked a Women’s World Cup semi-final spot after scraping past courageous Colombia.
Santos‘ superb strike broke the deadlock just as the Lionesses were starting to get on top.
But Lauren Hemp was in the right place at the right time to pounce on keeper Perez’s calamity in the Colombian goal.
And Alessia Russo’s low-driven strike turned out to be the winner.
- RESULT: England 2-1 Colombia
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- England XI: Earps; Greenwood, Carter, Bright, Bronze, Daly; Walsh, Stanway, Toone; Russo, Hemp
- Colombia XI: Perez; C.Arias, D.Arias, Carabali, Vanegas; Ospina, Bedoya; Santos; Usme, Caicedo
- Explainer: What is the 2023 Women’s World Cup prize money?
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The Lionesses have booked their spot in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Colombia.
Goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo separated the two sides in the end as England dug deep to preserve their advantage for the majority of the second half.
Now, Sarina Wiegman’s side will face Australia in next week’s match, which is set to take place on Wednesday at 11am BST.
You won’t want to miss it!
But until then, thank you for reading!
Credit: Getty England stars celebrate win
Lionesses Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway posed for a selfie in the dressing room after England’s 2-1 win over Colombia.
Hemp looks forward to Australia clash
“We’re all so excited. As a group we thrived off the amount of Colombian fans.
“It just makes it so much more exciting so for me I can’t wait to get going against Australia. It’s going to be a packed out stadium with so many Australian fans but we know if we play at our best, we are unstoppable so hopefully we’ll be able to bring that.”
Eyes on the prize
The Lionesses have now reached the final four in each of their last three Women’s World Cup campaigns.
Credit: Getty Alex Greenwood reacts
“Tonight is about reflecting on this performance, taking lots of positives and getting ready for the semi-final.
“The aim was to play our game, we have two strong right-sided players in Lucy [Bronze] and Jess [Carter] who did well against [Linda] Caicedo, and we controlled large parts of the game tonight.
“We were warming up as they were taking the shoot out in Brisbane so we were focused on this game.”
Credit: Reuters Road to the final
Spain face Sweden and Australia take on England in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup.
Credit: Fifa.com Who will England face in the semi-finals?
The Lionesses are set to face Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Australia earned their place in the final four with a 7-6 win on penalties against France following a 0-0 draw.
The two teams will now meet in the second semi-final next Wednesday at 11am BST.
Credit: Alamy Sarina Wiegman reacts
“A very tough challenge but we didn’t expect anything else. We showed resilience, in the first half we played very good. In moments we were sloppy on the ball and they were really dangerous on the counter.
“We conceded but we came back. I actually thought their keeper had the ball for our goal.
“Second half we pushed, we found a way to keep that score and win the final duals. I just hoped we would have finished the game off sooner because we could have.
“We know they are dangerous but again I am so proud of the team, we find a way to score to win the duels. If we had kept the ball a bit better, we could have won it a little earlier.”
Credit: Getty ‘Dare to dream’
England fans can always dare to dream, but we’ll carry on working hard.”
Alessia Russo
Concern for Daly
Rachel Daly was seen to by the England physios after full time.
The full-back appeared to be in some discomfort as she suggested that there was a problem with her knee.
Credit: EPA Say Less
Across the 2022 Women’s Euros and 2023 World Cup, only Germany’s Alexandra Popp has scored more goals than Alessia Russo.
Credit: Getty Lauren Hemp reacts
Speaking to ITV, the England star said: “What an amazing feeling. I’m knackered, most of the team are but we put in a great performance.
“You saw the resilience of the team. We controlled most of the game. They had a few counters and we knew what they would bring. The team were really special today.
“We’ve changed formation a bit in recent games. As a group we’re really adaptable. This squad is special and we have so many characters.
“I feel really free when I’m on the pitch. I love playing wing, don’t get me wrong, but I can go down the left or the right.
“The first goal was scrappy, I didn’t expect the ball to come out to me. The link up with Alessia [Russo] is so strong and when she can finish like that.
“We are all feeling really confident, Australia, bring it on. I’m absolutely over the moon, I can’t wait.
“The atmosphere here was incredible, it’s going to be incredible again. That’s when you thrive, I feel like we will thrive once again.”
Credit: Reuters Alessia Russo reacts
Speaking to ITV at full time, the England striker said: “We’re just so happy to get three points and be in the semis.
“We have had to dig deep from the first game. Colombia have so many players who can cause you so much trouble but the backline was impressive for us.
“England fans can always dare to dream, but we’ll carry on working hard.”
Credit: Getty England fans react to win
Fans of the Lionesses have been out in full voice at BoxPark in London to celebrate the win!
Credit: Alamy Full Time – England 2-1 Colombia
A huge win for the Lionesses!
It was far from easy, but England dug deep during that second half and clinched the result in superb fashion.
Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp were excellent throughout and both thoroughly deserved to get on the scoresheet.
The defensive trio of Millie Bright, Lauren Hemp and Jess Carter also put on a resilient display to keep Colombia at bay throughout the second half.
Full Time – England 2-1 Colombia
England are through to the Women’s World Cup semi finals!
Credit: Getty 90+7. England 2-1 Colombia
Huge chance for Colombia as Ramirez unleashes a powerful strike from just outside the box, but her effort flies just wide of the post.
One more minute!
90+3. England 2-1 Colombia
Wiegman makes another change.
England is on to replace Hemp.
Credit: PA 90+1. England 2-1 Colombia
Eight minutes have been added on.
The Lionesses NEED to hold on to this lead, but Colombia are really pushing for the equaliser.
87. England 2-1 Colombia
Colombia have a corner.
The ball is sent into the box, but Bright is there to head it clear.
84. England 2-1 Colombia
The Lionesses make their first change.
Russo is replaced by Kelly.
82. England 2-1 Colombia
The Lionesses are skating on thin ice right now.
Chacon – who replaced Ospina a few minutes ago – breaks through on goal, but Greenwood is forced into making a last-ditch tackle to clear the ball.
78. England 2-1 Colombia
A huge defensive slip-up from England sees Walsh lose the ball in a dangerous area.
Ramirez carries it towards goal, but Carter gets back to make a crucial block.
That was a let-off for the Lionesses.
70. England 2-1 Colombia
Daly loses the ball in midfield and Ramirez carries it forward.
She squares it to Bedoya in the middle, who unleashes a powerful strike from around 30 yards out from goal.
Earps is forced to make the save and sends the ball out for a corner.
Credit: Getty 67. England 2-1 Colombia
Colombia are forced into another change.
Perez is forced off with what appears to be concussion.
She is replaced by 20-year-old goalkeeper Giraldo.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
