European champions fight back to beat Colombia and progress to final four

England 2-1 Colombia: The Athletic's instant analysis

  • First-half goals from rare goalkeeping errors
  • Dealing with the threat of Linda Caicedo
  • Drawing on vital big-game experience
  • Russo the match-winner

Go below for the instant post-match analysis from Charlotte Harpur and Jacob Whitehead.

After overcoming Colombia in an atmosphere that could have been mistaken for a home game for Colombia, Russo and Hemp were both asked about facing the co-hosts in the semi-final.

Firstly, Russo responded: "It’s exciting. What more do you want? You want to play against the best teams and obviously they’re the hosts. Colombia had a great fanbase out here tonight so we’ve had a little taste. I’m so excited."

Then, Hemp said: "The atmosphere here was incredible and it’s going to be incredible again. But that’s sometimes when you thrive and we thrived tonight so hopefully we’ll do the same in a few days’ time."



The semi-final line up is set

England's win means that we know all four of the teams that will contest the two 2023 Women's World Cup semi-finals.

Spain and Sweden's meeting in the final four was confirmed yesterday while the two winning teams from today will face off in the second semi.

  • Spain vs Sweden – Eden Park, Auckland – Tuesday, August 15 at 8pm local time/ 9am BST/ 4am ET/ 1am PT
  • Australia vs England – Stadium Australia, Sydney – Wednesday, August 16 at 8pm local time/ 11am BST/ 6am ET/ 3am PT

Hemp: 'What an amazing feeling

·        it was Hemp whose quick thinking started the England revival on the stroke of half time and she spoke about the pride she has in her team mates.

·        "What an amazing feeling. I'm absolutely knackered right now and most of the team are," she told ITV. "But we put in a great performance and I think you saw the resilience of the squad there. I'm so proud of this team.

·        "We've changed formation in recent games and I feel, as a group, that we're really adaptable. We've got so much depth in the squad that anyone can come on and change the game.

·        "This squad is special and we've got so many amazing characters."

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Russo details what Wiegman said in post-match huddle

Once they had celebrated among themselves, Wiegman dragged all of the England players into a huddle in the middle of the pitch.

Russo was asked what her manager said.

"She just said that she's proud and that we've got lots to work on," replied the Arsenal striker.

"That's what makes this team great; that we're always trying to find ways to improve even after we get through to the semis. But there's lots to work on, we'll get our recovery done, get rested and go again."

On the back of her match-winning performance, Russo conducted the post-match interview for England.

"I'm buzzing. Semi-final of a World Cup, we're keeping the dream alive," she told ITV. "Obviously, Colombia are a top, top team and they've shown more than that at this World Cup and it was a really tough test, but we're just so happy to be in the semis.

"We've had to dig deep from the first game and that's what it's like, they have so many talented players that can cause trouble.

"I thought our backline was brilliant tonight, we kept it locked down and now we're in the semis."

At full time, the England players went over to console the Colombia players. There is a lot of mutual respect on this pitch.

Walsh swapped her shirt with one of the Colombian players, Daly was lying on the floor with her head in her hands as one of the physios looks over a knee niggle while Russo was, as ever, all smiles after scoring the winning goal.



Wiegman is animated in the post match huddle. In stark contrast to the seriousness she exudes on the touchline, she looks happy with what her players have achieved.

Over the years, managers and players have repeated that results are the most valuable currency when it comes to tournament football and this Women's World Cup continues to prove that.

England have been some way from their best down under, but they are still the favourites to lift the trophy next weekend.

Another gutsy, scrappy performance from Wiegman's side leaves them within two wins of immortality.

Two. More. Wins.

England are into the semi-final!

FT England 2-1 Colombia

And there is the full-time whistle!

England are last team into the Women's World Cup semi-final and they had to do it the hard way.

Some of the England players collapse to their knees and there's an uncharacteristically passionate fist pump from Sarina Wiegman.

A semi-final clash against the co-hosts awaits!

Ramirez and Caicedo shoots wide for Colombia

90+7' England 2-1 Colombia

For a second, it looked like Ramirez might have found a dramatic equaliser from outside the penalty area but her effort didn't curl enough and went wide of the target.

Bronze is then caught in possession and Colombia have numbers forward but, once again, patience eludes the South America as Caicedo hacks a shot well wide.

Bright asks for calm from her team mates

90+4' England 2-1 Colombia

Captain Bright waves her hand down in a gesture to the players to stay calm and settled in stoppage time.

This has been a scrappy and sometimes ugly battle but they will need every ounce of composure to see out some high intensity pressure from a Colombia side wanting to score a last-minute equaliser.

90+3' england 2-1 colombia

A change in attack for england as hemp — who has run herself into the ground — is replaced by beth england.

Her and Kelly will be key to the European champions wasting valuable seconds.



 

Colombia struggling to apply late pressure

89' England 2-1 Colombia

Usually, at this stage of the game, the team chasing the game are applying plenty of pressure to find an equaliser.

But, England have defended well and are looking after the ball effectively when they get it.

The introduction of Kelly provides more useful pace on the counter attack.

Kelly replaces Russo

85' England 2-1 Colombia

Another unselfish, dogged performance from Russo is brought to an end and she has earned her early rest.

Chloe Kelly – scorer of the winning penalty against Nigeria – has replaced her.

Brilliant Greenwood block denies Chacon

82' England 2-1 Colombia

Greenwood has been one of England's stand-out performers at this Women's World Cup and her defensive interventions have been consistently perfectly timed.

Her latest denies substitute Ivonne Chacon as she fired an effort towards goal from a tight angle.

Loose England passing provides chance for Ramirez

80' England 2-1 Colombia

Is that a sign of nerves kicking in for England? They have looked so composed throughout this tournament, but that was a moment of real panic.

Walsh has had Santos man-marking her for the whole game and she is played into a blind alley, giving Ramirez a free run into the penalty area.

But she is caught in two (or three) minds and Greenwood recovers to steal the ball off her toes.