It felt like this England team had been knocked from pillar to post during this World Cup. Injuries, suspensions, fights off the field. When Colombia took the lead in Saturday’s quarter-final against the odds, the lionesses resembled a boxer being counted out in the ring. Could they get up and move on again?
Two players who have been under more pressure than most were the ones who gave a resounding yes. Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo carried this team’s goal-scoring burden – and goals were hard to come by for much of this tournament.
But the two forwards showed guts, determination and composure to power England through to a World Cup semi-final against hosts Australia.
Hemp in particular was battered and bruised by full-time, the attacker was treated roughly by Colobmia’s physical defense.
The Lionesses expected a fight and they got it. Their last 16 matches with Nigeria had given them a taste of playing in front of a hostile crowd, but yesterday’s hostile atmosphere was on another level.
England is through to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup after beating Colombia in Sydney
Alessia Russo (bottom centre) scored the winning goal for England to progress to the World Cup semi-finals
The Colombia players were in tears full-time and were comforted by England players after the game
Australia is home to nearly 30,000 Colombian students who have played matches during this World Cup. Thousands more fans had traveled from South America. When England walked out for kick-off, they stepped into a Colombian cauldron of fire and fury. Supporters viciously roared their national anthem.
A whistle sounded every time an England player touched the ball. Each pass was met with fierce cries of “Colombia, Colombia.” They celebrated a throw-in in the attacking half as if they had scored a goal.
England could have silenced the crowd in the sixth minute when a loose ball in the penalty area fell first to Hemp and then to Russo, but neither could find the back of the net. Russo’s shot forced Colombia into an early substitution – with defender Carolina Arias unable to continue after blocking the attempt with her head.
England had known Colombia would be physical. In the 20th minute, Hemp was on the receiving end of a shoulder to the face as she tried to pass Ana Maria Guzman. It was a tackle that wouldn’t have been out of place in a rugby game, but no free kick was awarded.
Rachel Daly was Guzman’s next victim, the right-back nearly pinching her opponent’s face as she pushed her off the ball. Again no free kick was awarded. So that’s how it would be?
England played the best of the whole tournament, so when Colombia took the lead in the 44th minute, it felt like a stupid blow.
Daly allowed Leicy Santos to enter the box and her floating throw sailed over Mary Earps’ head and into the back of the net. The noise from the Colombian supporters was deafening. England had to make a decision: freeze under the pressure or stand up and fight. They chose the latter.
Their equalizing goal came in the sixth minute of stoppage time of the first half when Keira Walsh’s cross was headed in the box by Lucy Bronze to Russo. The striker was only able to deflect the ball away from Daniela Arias and into the path of Perez.
England have now hosted a World Cup semi-final match against tournament hosts Australia
Colombia initially took the lead through the first strike by Leicy Santos (left) in the first half
Colombian players emphatically celebrated after going through, but their joy was short-lived
It should have been an uncomplicated collection for the Colombian goalkeeper, but as she slid out the ball spiraled out of her hands and behind her towards the goal. Russo was blocked, but Hemp pushed through bodies to poke the ball home. The Bank of England exploded.
It was a gift, but they didn’t care. After everything Sarina Wiegman’s team has been through in this tournament, maybe they finally had some luck to thank.
The Lionesses had the momentum as the second half began. Daly saw a header saved by Perez, after which the goalkeeper grabbed a free kick shortly afterwards. Then came the moment Russo had been waiting for. Stanway found space outside the box and played a pass to the forward Arias.
Lauren Hemp (right) leveled England after scoring on the stroke of half time
Hemp was elated after the match as her goal helped England cross the line against Colombia
Russo spun past the defender and then fired a beautiful blow into the bottom left corner. For a striker who was criticized for not scoring enough in this tournament, it was a controlled and clinical finish.
Russo scored four goals in European Championships, but all of them were in games where England were already leading. This, to win a quarter final tie, is arguably the most important goal she has scored in her international career.
Colombia’s players would never surrender easily. A long-range effort from Lorena Bedoya almost surprised Earps, but the England goalkeeper did well, tapping the ball over the crossbar.
England coach Sarina Wiegman will be concerned about the number of chances Colombia created against England
Colombia continued to advance, but again and again their attacks were repelled by Millie Bright, Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood.
There was one final roar from the Colombian fans as eight minutes of extra time was added, but England held on.
It may have been tight, but most knockout matches at this World Cup were. This was a huge step up from a lackluster performance against Nigeria, but England will need to shift gears again when they face Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
The Wiegman players have three days to patch themselves up from yesterday’s bloody encounter and go again. Like all best fighters, this England team doesn’t know when they’re beaten.
(TagsToTranslate)dailymail