England beat Colombia 2-1 to set up semifinal showdown with Australia

England’s forward #11 Lauren Hemp (L) celebrates scoring her team’s first goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup quarter-final football match between Colombia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 12, 2023. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

• Matildas Oust France Via Penalties

ALESSIA Russo fired England into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup in a 2-1 win against Colombia yesterday to set up a semifinal clash with hosts, Australia.

Russo’s second half strike broke Colombia’s hearts, as the South Americans led in the game until the 44th minute of the game through a Leicy Santos’ sumptuous chip.

Lauren Hemp equalised just before halftime and Russo, the Arsenal striker, struck the winner in the 63rd minute as England advanced to the semifinals for the third straight time. They will face co-host Australia for a spot in the final.

Sarina Wiegman is also a step closer to her second consecutive Women’s World Cup final after her Netherlands team was runner-up to the United States in 2019.

England lost in the semifinals in 2015 and 2019, going out to Japan and the United States, respectively. Wiegman led the Lionesses to victory in the European Championship last year, having won that competition with Netherlands in 2017.

With many of the favourites, including America, Germany, France and Japan, already eliminated, England will be increasingly confident that it can win its first Women’s World Cup.

They showed character to come back from Santos’ goal in the 44th at Stadium Australia.

Hemp evened the score in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time when she capitalised on a mistake from Colombia keeper, Catalina Perez.

The Matildas beat France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the