England take down Colombia to set up semi-final clash vs Australia

An England star has delivered a stunning moment for her country as they fought back from a position they’d never found themselves in.

England are through to the semi-finals. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

England have set up a mouthwatering semi-final showdown against Australia after overcoming Colombia on Saturday night.

The contest took over Stadium Australia in Sydney with fans filing through the turnstiles to watch the action unfold.

The underdog Colombian outfit stunned their opponents in the opening half when Leicy Santos floated a goal of the tournament into the net from the edge of the box.

It saw England fall behind for the first time in their World Cup campaign, but it didn’t last long as the Lionesses responded almost instantly.

Lauren Hemp pounced on a loose ball and prodded it past goalie Catalina Perez on the stroke of halftime.

The second half turned into an arm wrestle as both sides threw everything they had at one another before an English star flipped the game on its head.

A brilliant forward ball saw Alessia Russo turn her defender inside out before she sizzled a ball along the turf past Perez and into the goals.

England held firm in the dying stages as Colombia did everything they could to level proceedings up.

The win means England will take on the Matildas with the semi-final on Wednesday night at 8pm from Stadium Australia in Sydney.

England are through to the semi-finals. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

9.57pm - Russo’s moment of magic

After a hard fought opening 15 minutes of the second half, the Lionesses have taken the lead after a wonder strike from Alessia Russo.

After turning her defender inside out, Russo slotted the ball past Catalina Perez and gave England the upper hand with 26 minutes left on the clock.

It's so smooth from England as they hit the front in Sydney 🦁

Georgia Stanway to Alessia Russo and the finish is perfect.

Watch 📲 https://t.co/x93IIy2sb8#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/w1PdHeVKQ8

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 12, 2023

9.25pm - England strike back moments later

The Lionesses wasted no time in drawing level after finding themselves behind for the first time in their World Cup campaign.

A chaos ball in the box ended with Alessia Russo on the penalty spot and prodding towards goal, Colombian goalie Catalina Pérez seemed to have it under control but Lauren Hemp pounced as the ball hit the turf and she slotted it into the net.

9.16pm - Colombia stun the Poms

A stunning strike has floated over the head of England goalkeeper Mary Earps and into the back of the net.

Leicy Santos stood on the edge of the box on the right hand side when she delivered her shot towards goal.

The ball floated awkwardly before nestling into the back of the net and sending the Colombian players into raptures.

It’s the first time this World Cup that England have found themselves behind. The goal was Colombia’s first shot on target in the game.

COLOMBIA 1 - 0 ENGLAND AND WHAT A WAY TO DO IT 🤯

The noise coming from Stadium Australia can be heard all the way in Bogota.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Watch 📲 https://t.co/x93IIy2sb8#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/owvsXODh6r

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 12, 2023

9.10pm - England on top but can’t convert

The Lionesses have been the more dominant team all over the pitch, but despite their dominance they've been unable to cash in on the scoreboard.

Playing without young star Lauren James up forward has shown in the early going.

Colombia are taking the fight up to their more highly-fancied opponents and left hearts in mouths with a scintillating forward surge in the 38th minute.

8.40pm – Colombia dealt crushing early blow

In the opening minutes of the quarterfinal contest Colombia have been forced to use an early substitution.

Defender Carolina Arias put her body on the line as Colombia defended against an early English attack.

Unfortunately Arias wore the full brunt of one shot and remained down on the turf for a number of minutes before trainers helped her from the pitch.

She was subbed out only moments later.

Heart goes out to Carolina Arias.
She looks in so much pain and we can only imagine the pain she's experiencing in her knee.
Sending her strength and positivity. Hope it isn't serious. #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023#FIFAWomensWorldCup#FIFAWWC

— Aditi Prasad (@AditiPrasad90) August 12, 2023

8.30pm – Australia advance after historic penalty shootout

Australia has done it — making the World Cup semi-finals for the first time with a heart-stopping penalty shootout win over France at Suncorp Stadium.

After a scoreless draw in 120 minutes, the shootout was as tense as it could be.

It was the longest shootout in World Cup history — men’s or women’s — going 10 rounds with Australia coming out on top 7-6. The previous longest was the Sweden-USA shootout earlier in this World Cup which went seven rounds, while the longest men’s shootout was six rounds between West Germany and France in the 1982 semi-final and the 1994 quarterfinal between Sweden and Romania.

With Mackenzie Arnold coming up huge between the pipes, saving four shots, including a replayed shot, it came down to Cortnee Vine slotting what will instantly go into Australian sporting folklore.

Originally published as England take down Colombia to set up semi-final clash vs Australia