Lionesses enjoy a leisurely stroll around Sydney before reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup after beating Colombia

The Lionesses enjoyed a stroll around Sydney on Saturday before securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

A nerve-wracking clash with Colombia saw the team take a 2-1 win and sparked wild celebrations among the England fans.

A few hours before their victory, they took a stroll through the CBD, dressed in blue Nike shorts and their white and tan English jackets.

Teammate Lauren James was also in attendance despite her recent two match suspension for stepping on Nigerian Michelle Alozie.

The girls looked confident as they chatted and smiled ahead of the game.

Stroll: A blood-curdling clash with Colombia saw the team take a 2-1 win and sparked wild celebrations among England fans

The supporters’ wishes to cheer the Lionesses to victory have been answered as the side scrambled back from 1-0 down to secure a 2-1 victory.

Chants of ‘come on England’ were heard as fans ignored the summer drizzle to watch the big screen in St Albans, Hertfordshire, as manager Sarina Wiegman’s team kicked off against Colombia at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.

Goalscorers Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured the team’s place in their third straight semi-final.

Fans waving flags and wearing red and white face paint were seen jumping and screaming as England’s victory was confirmed.

England players could be seen comforting some of the devastated young Colombians and swapping shirts with them.

Excited England fans flocked to Sydney’s Stadium Australia for the quarter-final of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses’ World Cup, while those back home in the UK fled to pubs and bars to watch the match.

Football fan Joanna King said ‘the best is yet to come’ for England despite a string of injuries to top players ahead of the tournament and top scorer Lauren James, 21, who was previously sent off in the last-16 penalty shootout win over Nigeria in the week.

Speaking of Saturday’s result, the 31-year-old sales adviser from Oxford said: “I thought it would go to extra time, but we were lucky it did.”

Joy: Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone jumped into the air after the win

Squad: Just hours before their victory, they took a stroll through the CBD dressed in blue Nike shorts and their white and tan English jackets

Smiles: Teammate Lauren James was also in attendance despite her recent two match suspension for stepping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie

Big Game: The girls looked confident as they chatted ahead of the game

Timeout: Alex Greenwood was talking to friends on her phone

Out and about: Rachel Daly had her blonde hair pulled back into a practical bun

Come back: James, who has scored three goals in four games, would be eligible to play in the final or third/fourth place playoffs

Astonishing: The supporters’ wishes to cheer the Lionesses to victory have been answered as the side scrambled back from 1-0 down to secure a 2-1 victory

Support: Excited England fans flocked to Sydney’s Stadium Australia for Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses’ World Cup quarter-final

Game: Goalscorers Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured the team’s place in their third straight semi-final

Next: They play Australia in the last four after the tournament’s joint hosts secured a dramatic victory over France on penalties in Brisbane earlier on Saturday

“I think many players played better today than the last two games.”

She added, “It was nice to be here today to support them. The atmosphere was very good and there were a lot of people. The weather has been a bit changeable, but that’s British summer for you.’

Ms King said on the big screen at McDonald’s in St Albans ahead of the match: ‘I would have preferred Australia to France, I know. I think the Matildas are very good.’

They will play Australia in the last four, after the tournament’s joint hosts achieved a dramatic victory over France on penalties earlier on Saturday in Brisbane.

Excitement: Fans waving flags and wearing red and white face paint were seen jumping and screaming as England’s victory was confirmed

Boxpark: England fans celebrate at home as Lionesses reach World Cup semi-final after heart-stopping clash with Colombia