England to face Australia after beating Colombia
England have booked themselves a mouthwatering Women’s World Cup semi-final showdown with hosts Australia after rallying to see off Colombia in a 2-1 victory.
The European champions had to dig deep with goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo helping them cancel out Leicy Santos’ opener in front of 75,784 fans at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
England’s Alessia Russo celebrates scoring their second goal with Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone. Reuters
England will return here on Wednesday when they take on the hometown hero Matildas, who defeated France on penalties earlier in the day.
In a worrying sign for Australia, England showed their champion qualities in Saturday’s semi-final win as they became the first side at this tournament to come from behind to win a knockout game.
England could, and perhaps should have, done better against a Colombian outfit, who head home with their reputation significantly enhanced.
This was only Colombia’s third World Cup and they dispatched two-time champions Germany en route to their best-ever showing at the tournament.
They were under the pump from England early and goalkeeper Catalina Perez was called into action inside the opening five minutes.
Colombia’s Linda Caicedo reacts after a missed chance. Reuters
She denied Hemp from close range and then as she scrambled to block Rachel Daly’s rebound she clattered into defender Carolina Arias, who fell to the ground.
Arias’ head was the only thing that denied England a goal and the defender was unable to continue.
Ana Guzman took her place and delighted in roughing up Hemp and Daly, the latter flashing a header straight at Perez as Colombia began to grow into the game.
Teenage sensation Linda Caicedo was beginning to put England’s defence out
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