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      England 2 Colombia 1: Heroic Lionesses fight back from goal down to reach third straight World Cup semi-final

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      ALESSIA RUSSO dashed Colombia’s giant-killing dreams as England ended their hopes of claiming another major scalp at this year’s World Cup.Another flicked Russo special paved the way for Sarina Wiegman’s side to book a semi-final date with Australia after a battling 2-1 win in Sydney.
      Alessia Russo fired in the winner for the LionessesCredit: Getty
      They came from behind to beat ColombiaCredit: Getty
      Lauren Hemp dragged her side level in late in the first halfCredit: Getty
      Leicy Santos had put Colombia in the leadCredit: Getty
      Much has been said about the manner of the Lionesses’ victories in this tournament with displays being less goal-laden and swashbuckling than their previous dismantling opponents under Wiegman.
      But the fact they are grinding out hard-fought wins in a contest without Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, should serve as a warning to the contest’s other semi-finalists.
      This summer has seen Wiegman’s battlers scrape their way to victories amid an injury scare and a player suspension with Lauren James banned from this match and the semis’.
      And of all the sides left in the tournament at the quarter-final stage they’ve had the best defensive record having conceded just twice in open play.
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      Against Nigeria last time out, the Lionesses struggled to dominate in attack with the Super Eagles’ pressing vigorously and neutralising James.
      In that game, their opponents struggled with finishing and seemed to be missing that killer instinct in the final third.
      But against Colombia, they came up against a team that has just that. And one unafraid to mix slick passing and threatening counters with some dicey challenges.
      Minutes after World Cup wonderkid Linda Caiceido gave Jess Carter the slip and fired wide in the box, another Colombian teen sensation made her presence felt.
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      Ana Guzman, who entered as a substitute after goalkeeper Catalina Perez injured team-mate Carolina Arias, did well to avoid a booking for some dodgy challenges.
      The defender clattered Lauren Hemp with the forward dropping heavily only to see ref Ektarina Koroleva wave play on despite Sarina Wiegman’s protests.
      And Rachel Daly was on the receiving end of a hand and poke to the face which the ref also chose to ignore.
      Colombia took a 44th-minute lead with Leicy Santos looping dipping shot dropping behind Mary Earps.
      The Lionesses will face Australia in the semi-finalCredit: Getty
      But England silenced the partisan crowd with Hemp punishing a fumble from keeper Perez to level in first-half injury time.
      Colombia looked to hit Wiegman’s aces back early in the second spell with Marya Ramirez crashing a right-footed shot outside the post.
      But it was the Lionesses who pounced with Georgia Stanway nutmegging Daniela Arias to tee up Russo’s second goal of the tournament
      And the Euros champs held out to clinch the win and book a tricky semis date with World Cup co-hosts Australia next Wednesday. More

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      Alessia Russo reflects on England chat with David Beckham and describes it as a ‘pinch-me’ moment

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      ALESSIA RUSSO was “buzzing” when she discovered David Beckham’s daughter Harper can be counted among the Lionesses fans.The England ace described meeting the Three Lions icon as a “pinch-me” moment with the duo sharing World Cup playing experiences. 
      Alessia Russo has opened up on discussing England playing experiences with David BeckhamCredit: Getty
      Russo was reflecting on her conversation with the retired Three Lions hero ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup clash with ColombiaCredit: Getty
      Russo revealed Beckham was one of her football idols during her childhoodCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The duo met for a chat hosted by Adidas before the Lionesses’ tournament opening clash with Haiti in July.  
      Their meeting saw them swap England shirts and reflect on the joys and pressures of playing for their country on the game’s biggest stage. 
      The striker, 24, who will battle Colombia with her team in the World Cup quarter-final, said: “He’s been one of my idols ever since I was a little girl. 
      “That’s probably one of my biggest highlights off the pitch – to sit and have a normal conversation with someone you used to watch on the world stage when you were younger. 
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      “It was amazing and he was really really nice and a bit of a pinch-me moment in terms of what women’s sport is doing.”
      Beckham, 48, who was capped 115 times before retiring in 2013, played in his first World Cup 25 years ago
      The former England skipper, whose 21-year playing career included spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid, led the Three Lions to two quarter-finals.
      During his chat with Russo, the Inter Miami owner mentioned his daughter Harper, 12, being inspired by Sarina Wiegman’s side. 
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      Russo, who has 26 international caps, added: “It’s special to hear that Harper is a huge fan.
      “He said we should never lose sight of what we’re doing as a team.
      “That was really cool because we’re all in the moment in terms of all we see and compete for every day on the pitch. 
      “The impact you have away from that is what’s really special to hear.”
      On Saturday Russo is set to help her team attempt to reach their first World Cup semi-finals under head coach Wiegman. 
      The duel with Colombia will see the Kent-born striker play in a quarter-final fixture in the tournament for the first time in her career.
      The victors of the clash between the Euros champs and last year’s Copa America Feminina finalists will face Australia or France for a World Cup final spot. 
      Their opponents’ star players include Real Madrid ace Linda Caicedo, 18, who played four international tournaments last year including the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups. 
      They have proven themselves capable of causing upsets by defeating Germany and South Korea in the group stage. 
      Last month they made headlines when their pre-tournament training game with Vera Pauw’s Republic of Ireland was abandoned after 23 minutes
      The game was halted due to their challenges being deemed too “overly physical”. 
      However, Russo is relishing going toe-to-toe with England’s opponents who are the only South America side left in the tournament. 
      Russo said: “Colombia are a physical team but so are we. 
      “It’s something that we’ve faced before in this tournament and we’ve stepped up.
      “That’s part of the game now, it’s getting more physical. Players are quicker and faster. 
      “I’m quite a big player, in terms of my height and stature, so I’d like to think that I can hold my own, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I couldn’t. 
      “I’m up against Millie Bright most days in training.
      “If there’s ever a test, it’s right there. You prepare for those moments 
      “In this tournament, the levels are so high and it’s great to see. 
      England’s clash with Colombia will see their defences tested by tournament star Linda CaicedoCredit: EPA
      “No one in this tournament is an underdog.
      “Colombia have put on some really good performances and we’ll be ready for them.
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      “It’s great that you can’t take your foot off the gas for one second and not that you could for the Euros. 
      “You can see every game is so tight and that just shows the level of the game right now.” More

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      Who is Everton and England player Toni Duggan and why is she not playing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

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      THE Lionesses are currently playing in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.And whilst we eagerly watch their matches, you may be wondering where player Toni Duggan is – we explain.
      Toni is on maternity leave.
      Who is Everton and England player Toni Duggan?
      Toni Duggan was born July 25, 1991 in Liverpool.
      She began playing football with boys for an under-eight team known as the Jellytots.
      She attended Notre Dame Catholic College and graduated from Loughborough College in 2010.
      She’s also an ambassador for Kick It Out, a footballers’ anti-discrimination organisation, and the charity Saving Lives.
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      She has represented England at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-23 levels.
      She currently is a Forward for Everton F.C and England’s national team.
      Why is Toni Duggan not playing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
      Toni isn’t playing at the world cup this year as she gave birth in March 2023.
      She announced the birth of her daughter, Luella.
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      In her Instagram post, Duggan is in a hospital with her daughter in her arms writing:
      “The night our lives changed forever…. Welcome to the world our gorgeous girl Luella, Born 25th March, weighing 6lbs 12oz – you’re a little dream my baby girl.. best feeling in the world.”
      She announced her pregnancy on September 27, 2022, and that she should miss the rest of the WSL season.
      She told Sky Sports she was finding it hard to hide her pregnancy as she kept being sick.
      “In the first few weeks, I wasn’t too sick, I was just actually being sick.”
      “I felt okay in myself so I’d be on the bike upstairs before the girls went out to training.”
      “It was every single time at 10 minutes.”
      “I think when my body temperature came up and I needed to be sick, the girls were in the gym and I was like where can I go?”
      I had to be sick into my jumper and just put it to the side.”
      What other teams has Toni Duggan played for?
      Toni currently plays for Everton F.C. after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2021.
      She also played for Manchester City from 2014 until 2017 and Barcelona from 2017 to 2019.
      She was signed by Atletico Madrid in 2019.
      When did Toni Duggan make her England debut?
      She completed her first cap for Hope Powell’s senior team in 2012 when England played against Croatia.
      She scored her first international hat trick in a match against Turkey in 2013.
      She scored another hat-trick in England’s World Cup qualifying game against Montenegro in April 2014.
      In 2015, Toni was part of the England team for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
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      England secured a bronze medal and were congratulated by Prince William at a reception held at Kensington Palace.
      Toni was given 179 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honor the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international. More

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      ‘Everything that has been thrown at us we have dealt with’, says Lucy Bronze on England’s World Cup run

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      LUCY BRONZE believes England having the mentality to see out difficult wins has been a boost in a World Cup of shock exits. And the Lioness star, 31, paid tribute to Brazil icon Marta and other legends who played in the tournament for the last time in their careers. 
      Lucy Bronze believes England have shown they have the mentality to seal wins in challenging situationsCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses will battle Colombia at Stadium Australia on Saturday for a place in the World Cup semi-finalsCredit: Getty
      On Saturday England go to battle with Colombia in Sydney for a place in the World Cup semis after surviving a tough clash with Nigeria.
      Their South American opponents have proven to be giant killers claiming shock victories against Germany and South Korea leading to surprise group-stage exits for both. 
      And England will be going into the game without in-form forward Lauren James.
      The Lionesses starlet, 21, is currently suspended after being sent off for treading on forward Michelle Alozie during England’s defeat of Nigeria.

      However Bronze believes recent hard-fought wins against the Super Falcons and Haiti have shown England has what it takes to get results under pressure. 
      The 109-capped right-back said: “Everything that has been thrown at us, we’ve dealt with and moved forward. 
      “We’ve built on every game; we’ve taken something from every game.
      “Whether that was the Haiti game that was physical, the Denmark game when we lost our key player in Keira (Walsh), the China game when we changed the formation completely, and then (against Nigeria) we had a red card.
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      “I don’t see many other teams who’ve had that adversity and if they had, I don’t think they’ve managed to overcome the way we have.
      “At the same time, we are not happy with our performances.”
      Out of the top seven sides competing in this year’s contest hosted in Australia and New Zealand only England, France, Spain and Sweden remain. 
      Four-time winners the USA, and two-time champions Germany have been dispatched along with Canada. 
      Australia, Japan and Holland are the other sides from the world’s top 20 teams left in the tournament. 
      Colombia, currently the 25th-best side in the world, are the lowest-ranked team to reach this year’s quarter-finals. 
      Bronze added:  “The most important thing is that we’re coming out of games with wins. I said this after the Haiti game, 
      “Some people thought that (type of win) was not probably what we wanted. 
      “However, we are the ones who are still in the competition.
      “Many top teams are going home because they haven’t been able to get that point or been able to see the games out in a penalty shootout, and we have. 
      “We’ve shown that side of our team that we know what it takes to win.”
      The group-stage and last-16 knockouts of Canada, Brazil and the United States saw three of the game’s biggest legends play in a World Cup for a final time. 
      Megan Rapinoe, 38, who won the contest twice with the USA, called time on her 17-year career following her side’s loss on penalties to Sweden. 
      And Brazil and Canada icons Marta, 37, and Christine Sinclair, 40, made their final appearances having each played in six World Cups. 
      Bronze said: “Those players are unbelievable.
      “They’re players that I looked up to when I was younger, even though I’m probably one of the older players now.
      “They really changed the game and lifted it to another level, a level that means that we’re in the position that we are today. 
      “Not just myself and this England team, but Nigeria and the other teams that are coming through like Jamaica. 
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      “You saw when Jamaica played Brazil the kind of admiration players like Bunny Shaw had for Marta.
      “It’s because we know what legends they are and what they’ve done for us as players now.”
      Bronze hailed Brazil legend Marta for helping to transform and elevate women’s footballCredit: Getty More

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      England vs Colombia: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for Women’s World Cup quarter-final

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      ENGLAND face a huge Women’s World Cup quarter-final against Colombia this weekend. The Lionesses beat Nigeria on penalties on Monday morning to advance to the last eight.
      England beat Nigeria on penalties at the World Cup on MondayCredit: Getty
      Colombia beat Jamaica 1-0 in the World Cup round of 16Credit: Getty
      But their win came at a price as Lauren James was sent off for a stamp on an opposing player deep into the second half.
      James is suspended for the quarter-final but FIFA may still choose to extend her ban to two or three games.
      Colombia beat Jamaica 1-0 in their quarter-final clash on Tuesday morning.
      England will be hoping for a much easier game than the Nigeria one, which ended 0-0 after a tense 120 minutes, but Colombia have proved themselves very tricky opposition so far in the tournament.
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      When is England vs Colombia?

      England’s clash with Colombia will take place on Saturday, August 12.
      The game will be held at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
      England vs Colombia will kick off at 11.30am BST in the UK.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      England vs Colombia will be shown live on ITV1 and ITV1 HD in the UK.
      Coverage will begin at 10.45am BST.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV X app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?
      Yes, England vs Colombia is available to watch for FREE in the UK, so long as you have a TV licence.
      You can stream the action for free on the ITV X app as well.
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      Team news
      The big news for England is that Lauren James is suspended following her red card for a stamp in the last 16 clash against Nigeria.
      Keira Walsh returned to the side but came off late in the game, though it’s unclear if that was due to injury.
      Otherwise England are set to have close to a full squad available for the game. More

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      Fears Lauren James could MISS rest of World Cup with Fifa set to review England star’s red card stamp

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      SARINA WIEGMAN has backed Lauren James to learn “a huge lesson” following her red card for treading on a Nigeria player.The ten-player Lionesses still sealed a quarter-final spot with a dramatic 4-2 shootout win over the Super Falcons.
      Lauren James could miss the rest of the World Cup after stamping on Michelle AlozieCredit: Getty
      Sarina Wiegman defended James saying there was no malice in the stampCredit: Getty
      But Chelsea forward James could potentially face a three-match ban for stepping on Michelle Alozie’s back.
      Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman said: “It’s a huge lesson to learn but it’s not something she has done on purpose. She is the sweetest person.
      “Look, that happens sometimes with human beings, they are in such a high intensity, emotional game, and in a split second she lost her emotions.
      “She apologised and she felt really, really bad.
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      “But she doesn’t want to hurt anyone.”
      James, 21, has been among England’s best performers during the World Cup and one of the tournament’s standout young stars.
      She shone during their group stage defeat of Denmark and 6-1 thumping of China where she netted a brace in the contest for the first time in her career.
      The versatile forward gets an automatic one-match ban for her 87th-minute red card in the 0-0 draw.
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      But Fifa disciplinary chiefs have the power to extend that to three, meaning she would play no further part in the tournament.
      Wiegman said: “This was a moment, it was a split second. It was later in the game, so players also got a little tired.
      “She’s an inexperienced player on this stage and, yes, things happen like that.”
      Losing James — whose dismissal echoed David Beckham’s at the 1998 World Cup and Wayne Rooney in 2006 — will be a blow to the European champions as they bid to win their first-ever global trophy.

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      England will play the winner of Colombia vs Jamaica in the last eight after Euros hero Chloe Kelly smashed home the winning spot-kick.
      Wiegman said: “I’m proud of the team. We stuck together and showed resilience.”
      On the red card, ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey said: “James can have no complaints.
      “Although her foot did not come down with force on Alozie’s back, she knew exactly what she was doing and ran the risk by placing it there and got punished.
      “When it went to VAR, it was always going to be a red for violent conduct and James will regret it because she did not need to do that.” More

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      Australia World Cup goal hero Hayley Raso thought she would NEVER play again after breaking her back in horror injury

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      HAYLEY RASO has continued to shine for Australia at this year’s Women’s World Cup.But just five years ago, she thought her football career was over.
      Raso has scored three goals for Australia during the Women’s World CupCredit: AP
      The winger has been one of the stars of the tournament so farCredit: Getty
      But just five years ago, she had to learn to walk again after suffering a broken backCredit: YouTube/Hayley Raso
      In August 2018, while playing for National Women’s Soccer League side Portland Thorns, the winger suffered a traumatic back injury during a match against Washington Spirit.
      The freak injury, caused by an accidental collision which saw the Washington goalkeeper’s knee dig into her back, left Raso wondering if she’d ever be able to play football again.
      Just two months after the incident, the Australia international told ABC: “I couldn’t do anything at that moment, I was just in so much pain, I couldn’t move my body.
      “I can remember just saying: ‘Help me, help me’. I knew that something bad had happened.
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      “My athletic trainer came onto the field and she was asking me: ‘Can you feel your legs, can you wiggle your toes?’
      “I was just thinking, you know, I have been hit in the back and I know these injuries can be serious.”
      At the age of just 23, Raso feared that she would never walk or play sport again.
      But in the days that followed the horrific ordeal – which saw her break three vertebrae – she received positive news from doctors.
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      She added: “A neurosurgeon came in and spoke to me and said: ‘You will recover from this, it’s going to be hard, but you will play again.’
      “In that moment I felt such relief because I had all these things in my head that I thought I was going to have to go through.”
      The winger spent a week-and-a-half in hospital before being moved to a local rehabilitation centre, where she gradually had to learn to walk again.
      Speaking about her rehab journey, Raso told ABC: “It was hard. I couldn’t even move or roll over in bed let alone stand up.
      “I had a few episodes where I passed out because of the pain and I went into shock.
      “Eventually I was able to get up, slowly and with a lot of help.
      “I was firstly in a wheelchair then I went to using a walking frame and I was just taking really small steps trying to get around the hospital.”
      Just six months after sustaining the traumatic injury, Raso returned to the pitch in a Cup of Nations match.
      And, she incredibly scored for Australia against New Zealand within a matter of minutes.
      Fast-forward four years and she is now one of Australia’s Women’s World Cup heroes.
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      She scored twice for the Matildas during the group stages of the tournament before helping them to the quarter-finals with a goal against Denmark.
      Raso joined European giants Real Madrid before the World Cup kicked off following an impressive two-year spell with Manchester City. More

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      England Lionesses duo get matching tattoos on Women’s World Cup duty as pair ‘complete’ each other

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      RACHEL DALY and Millie Bright have got matching tattoos at the Women’s World Cup.The England pair have celebrated their friendship by getting inked in Australia during the tournament.
      Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have got matching tattoosCredit: Getty
      The pals got matching ink at the Women’s World CupCredit: Rex
      Daly and Bright have been pals for years and always planned to get matching tattoos together.
      However, they have revealed they had not found the right one until heading Down Under.
      The pair have got the fraction “1/2” tattooed on their hands to signify that they are not complete without each other.
      Daly explained: “It took us ages to find the right one and we ended up going with a half on our hands because she is the other half of me, my life is not complete without her.”
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      Although they have never played together at club level, both Lionesses grew up in Yorkshire.
      Bright was raised in Chesterfield, with Daly born in nearby Harrogate.
      Their roots played a part as Daly claims she knew they would be friends for life from the moment they met.
      She added: “[Bright] first came into the squad, it was only a couple of camps after me, and we just hit it off straight away.
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      “It was probably that Yorkshire connection – loud. We always knew, we kind of knew each other when she was at Donny and I was at Leeds and we never looked back.
      “We always wanted to get a tattoo together, like a bestie tattoo.”
      Both players have starred at the Women’s World Cup, with Bright captaining the Lionesses at the tournament.
      As for Daly, she has shown her versatility by already appearing in defence, midfield and attack for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
      The Aston Villa star also netted from the penalty spot during England’s shootout victory over Nigeria on Monday.
      Her and the rest of the squad will now look ahead to a quarter-final clash against either Colombia or Jamaica this weekend.
      Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have been friends for yearsCredit: Rex More