By Samindra Kunti in Sydney
August 12 – England capitalised on two defensive blunders to move past Colombia 2-1 and face Australia for a place in the final of the Women’s World Cup later this week.
England vs Colombia didn’t quite produce the drama of the day’s first quarter-final that sent host nation Australia into ecstasy, and yet England needed blood, sweat and tears, and bad defending by the South Americans to overcome a plucky and skilful opponent.
The Colombians will be left to lament what could have been but can reflect on a groundbreaking tournament, becoming only the second South American, after Brazil, to reach the last eight of the competition.
“Everyone knows the task so it’s about trying to stick to the task, keeping your emotions under control,” said England manager Sarina Wiegman in a news conference, praising the resilience of her team.
“It’s easy to say but it’s what you practise every day. You have to accept that sometimes things can happen not in your control but your mindset can stay in control. You have to stick together and execute your plan. One of the strengths of this team is that we do stay calm so when we concede a goal and you don’t see any panic.”
Colombia took the lead with their only shot on target in the first half by Leicy Santos, her chip beating the backpedalling Mary Earps in shades of Ronaldinho’s free-kick goal at the 2002 World Cup. The goal had been coming, with Colombia finding more joy in attack and England’s last pass in the final third lacking.
It was the first time the Lionesses were trailing in the tournament, but an almighty mess at the Colombian back, allowed Lauren Hemp to sneak in and draw level within minutes for England. The difference in quality between the two goals could not have been more significant, but the European champions cared little for aesthetics.
Backed by a partisan crowd at Stadium Australia, the Colombians had thrived in the first half, taking the game to England with the irresistible teenager Linda Caicedo causing havoc on the left and providing the assist for Santos’s goal.
Colombia did not seem too rattled by Hemp’s equaliser and the English went back into Nigeria mode, misplacing too many passes in the final third despite having more than 60% of the possession. It was another blunder in the South American backline – this time by Daniela Arias – that gifted England a second, Alessia Russo pouncing to deliver a clinical finish, 2-1.
With substitute Ivonne Chacon on the pitch, Colombia went in search of an equaliser but were really confined to taking long pot shots from outside the box, none of which troubled Earps in England’s goal.
The English reached their third consecutive semi-final at the Women’s World Cup, and now face hosts Australia for a place in the World Cup final. England will be looking to vastly improve from laboured performances against Nigeria and Colombia against an Austrlian team who have plenty of grit and with the return of Sam Kerr the world’s best goalscorer.
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