August 12th 2023.
England are through to the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup after coming from behind to beat Colombia 2-1 in Sydney on Saturday.
The Lionesses were up against a physical South American side who took the lead 44 minutes in through a cross-shot from Leicy Santos that floated over Mary Earps in the England goal.
This could have rattled Sarina Wiegman’s side, but they were gifted an equaliser in stoppage time of the first half when Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez spilled a routine take, allowing Lauren Hemp to poke home.
The second half saw chances at both ends, but it was Alessia Russo who made the difference between the sides, smartly finishing a through ball from Georgia Stanway just after the hour-mark.
Colombia pushed hard and England were forced into some last ditch defending as the final whistle approached, and thanks to a strong defensive performance from the likes of Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter, the whistle did come without any more goals and the Lionesses keep their World Cup dream alive.
England had got off to a good start, looking bright and there was an early problem for Colombia as Carolina Arias was forced off with injury just 10 minutes in.
The Lionesses had chances through Rachel Daly and Russo, but neither could break the early deadlock as they fired efforts straight at the goalkeeper and over the bar.
Colombia began to get into their rhythm midway into the opening stanza, with the exciting Linda Caicedo looking bright, and they took the lead shortly before the break.
Leicy Santos had the ball in the inside-right channel and her curled, right-footed effort dipped over the diving Earps and into the far corner.
It was a serious blow for England but thanks to a gift from goalkeeper Perez they were level five minutes later.
Perez should have grabbed a loose ball in the penalty box easily but fumbled it, without much pressure at all on her.
Hemp was the sharpest to the blunder and gratefully poked the ball into an empty net as Perez sprawled on the ground, embarrassed with her error.
The Lionesses then took the lead just after the hour-mark when Russo smartly finished a through ball from Georgia Stanway.
Mayra Ramirez fired a shot wide early in the second half but it was England who quickly began to gain control.
There were some nervy moments for the England defence over the final half hour, but they defended resolutely and Caicedo was the last to have a pop at goal, but her tame effort deep into injury time sailed high and wide as England secured their spot in the final four.
They will now face the co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Sydney.
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