FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: England reach last four with 2-1 victory over Colombia
The Lionesses will meet Australia in the semi-finals after Alessia Russo's second-half strike saw them past the South Americans.
Football
England are into the semi-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 after beating Colombia 2-1 on Saturday (12 August).
Colombia took the lead inside Sydney's Stadium Australia through Leicy Santos, but Lauren Hemp capitalised on a blunder by Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez to level deep into stoppage time.
And Alessia Russo scored what proved to be the winner in the 63rd minute as she pounced on an error to fire home.
The Lionesses return to the same venue to face co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday (16 August).
As expected, this was a physical encounter particularly in the opening exchanges.
England created chances early on with Russo's effort blocked by the head of Carolina Arias who was caught by her own goalkeeper Perez in the same passage of play and had to replaced by Ana Guzman.
Perez denied Russo moments later before saving Rachel Daly's header after Georgia Stanway’s skewed shot.
But it was Colombia who struck first just before the break as Santos, when looking primed to cross, produced an audacious chip over England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
The Lionesses immediately went on the attack and, six minutes into stoppage time, Perez spilled a ball she should have easily gathered with Hemp pouncing to finish emphatically.
England started the second half with intent and Perez again kept out a Daly header from a corner.
And just after an hour's play, they took the lead when Colombia failed to cut out Stanway's dangerous pass and the ball ricocheted into the path of Russo who shot low past Perez into the corner.
The South Americans went in search of an equaliser, and nearly found it in extraordinary fashion as Lorena Durango's long-range effort forced Earps into a fine save.
But they were unable to draw level and had to settle for their best finish in tournament history.
For European champions England, a clash with co-hosts Australia awaits with both sides seeking a first appearance in a Women's World Cup final.