England have set up a mouth-watering FIFA Women’s World Cup™ semi-final against co-hosts Australia after battling back from a goal down to see off Colombia in Sydney.
Lauren Hemp and Alessio Russo scored the goals that took the Lionesses through to the last four for a third successive edition, after Leicy Santos had put the impressive Cafeteras in front.
Sarina Wiegman’s side set the early pace, and Russo nearly scored with a powerful effort that struck the head of Carolina Arias, who was forced off soon after.
That injury didn’t disrupt Colombia’s rhythm, though, and they claimed a spectacular opener as half-time approached when Santos sent a cross-cum-shot looping over the stranded Mary Earps and inside the far post. Replays suggested that the Atletico Madrid star had looked up and spotted Earps off her line and, if the goal was indeed intentional, it ranks as one of the best of the tournament.
However, just as Santos and her team-mates looked set to retreat to the dressings rooms with a hard-earned half-time lead, disaster struck for Catalina Perez. The Colombia goalkeeper looked to have a simple job sliding out to collect a loose ball, but allowed the ball to squirm out of her grasp and, in the ensuing panic, Hemp reacted quickest to stab home.
That same clinical edge was on display when England grabbed a 63rd-minute winner, with Russo racing through on to a Georgia Stanway pass and rifling an unstoppable right-foot shot into the far corner of the net. Colombia couldn’t find a way through thereafter, but while their historic and memorable World Cup adventure has come to an end, they depart for home with their heads held high and their reputation very much enhanced.
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