England vs Colombia summary: Lionesses into semi-finals, score, goals and highlights | 2023 Women’s World Cup
England vs Colombia: as it happened
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OK, we're going to wrap up this live feed.
Here's hoping the semi-finals are as thoroughly enjoyable as the quarter-finals have been. Be sure to join us for those last-four clashes next week.
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England back to top of Opta power rankings
Incidentally, Opta have now revised their Women's World Cup power rankings after England's win over Colombia.
The Lionesses have been reinstalled as favourites to lift the trophy, with Opta's supercomputer calculating their chance of winning the tournament at 31.59%.
Spain are second on 27.82%, Australia are third on 22.48%, and Sweden are seen as the outsiders on 18.11%.
Colombia bow out, but have impressed
As for Colombia, they can consider my cap thoroughly doffed in their direction.
Led by Real Madrid starlet Linda Caicedo, this hugely talented young side has made national-team history by reaching the Women's World Cup quarter-finals. We're going to be hearing plenty more from them in the future, one suspects.
One also suspects that they'll rise to considerably higher than 25th in the world when FIFA updates its rankings.
(Photo: Izhar KHAN / AFP)
"A side that knows how to win"
Here's the reaction of Gary Lineker, the former England men's captain, to the Lionesses' victory:
Colombia's Ana María Guzmán (left) and Jorelyn Carabalí (right) take in the disappointment of defeat.
(Photo: DAVID GRAY / AFP)
World Cup semi-finals set
So, the full line-up for the Women’s World Cup semi-finals is:
Spain vs Sweden - Tuesday 15 August (4am ET), Auckland
Australia vs England - Wednesday 16 August (6am ET), Sydney
The final is at Stadium Australia on Sunday 20 August. Whatever happens, we're going to have a first-time World Cup winner.
England's Georgia Stanway celebrates after the final whistle at Stadium Australia.
(Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine)
Aussies up next for England
England now go on to face tournament co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals.
That game will be back at Stadium Australia on Wednesday, at 6am ET/3am PT.
Peeep peeep peeep! England are into their third straight Women's World Cup semi-final! My god the Lionesses had to cling on at the end there.
Russo's second-half strike is the difference in what has been a really even, really enjoyable quarter-final in Sydney.
Again Colombia pour forward, switching it from left to right to Caicedo, who has space to get the ball out of her feet and shoot. Her strike from the corner of the England box flies over the bar.
Colombia pin England back once more, moving it from side to side for a good minute or so. Santos can't get her shot away when the ball falls to her on the edge of the Lionesses' box, before Ramírez does get a good connection with it. She can only send her shot off target.
Right away, Beth England receives deep on the right wing, before playing it short to Kelly.
Kelly looks to keep the ball in the corner, but can't. Colombia bring it clear.
At the other end, Vanegas produces a neat turn some 30 yards out from the England goal, before striking at goal. Her effort is well off target, however.
Beth England is on for the Lionesses, with Hemp making way.
Kelly runs the ball into the Colombian corner, flops to the turf and wants a free-kick. She doesn't get one.
Colombia fire the ball forward, but Chacón can't control.
England are about to introduce Beth England.
Eight minutes of time added on in Sydney.
England are really holding on right now; it's all Colombia ball.
Every time they win it back, the Lionesses give it away immediately, most because they're just hoofing it up the field.
Bronze leads an England break, feeding it forward to Kelly on the right. She tries to knock it past Vanegas and into space, but she's outpaced.
The Colombians win it back, and will look to launch another search for an equaliser.
Again Colombia come at England. Santos plays the ball inside to Usme on the right, before collecting the return ball into the area. England can only scramble it behind for a corner, which finally comes to nought.
Colombia are really knocking on the door here.
Las Cafeteras work it left to Santos, who has acres of space to scamper forward and towards the danger area. Her ball into the area is right at Bright, however. The England captain blocks, and boots clear.
Kelly is on for England, replacing Russo.
Daniela Arias is down and in need of the magic sponge; I think she'll be carrying on.
England are preparing to bring on Chloe Kelly.
Unless I am mistaken, we're yet to see a single card in this game.
Back come Colombia, and Chacón has two chances to shoot inside the England box!
It's neat link-up play between Caicedo and Chacón, who collects the return ball and advances into the English area. Her first shot is blocked by Bright, but the loose ball falls right back to the Colombian.
She again gets a strike in, but this time it's Greenwood who throws her body in the way!
The decibels are rising again among the Colombia fans, and Las Cafeteras look like they believe they can find a leveller.
The chants of "yes, we can" can be heard once more from the Colombians at Stadium Australia.
Colombia replace Ospina with Ivonne Chacón.
A moment later, Santos gets a toe in to rob Walsh just outside the England box, and the loose ball falls right to Ramírez inside the penalty area! She has space to cut inside and look for a shot or a pass, but loses it! Well, well, that was a real let-off for the English.
Greenwood delivers the corner, Sepúlveda punches away - a little shakily - and suddenly Colombia are breaking.
Caicedo streaks down the left wing, before looking up and trying to find Santos, who has peeled off into space on the right. Caicedo's ball is too short, however.
Russo lays it off to Stanway 30 yards out, and the Bayern Munich midfielder looks to curl a ball over to Hemp at the far post. Her delivery is underhit, though, and Colombia clear.
A minute later, Vanegas slides in to tackle Russo, and concedes a corner to England.
At the other end, Hemp skips past her marker and clips a left-wing cross into the box from the byline, but Russo can't gobble it up.
That's fine save by Earps! England lose it just inside their own half, and suddenly Colombia are pouring forward in search of an equaliser.
Ramírez feeds it back to Bedoya, who lets fly from 30 yards out - and forces Earps to scramble across her goal to beat it out! That was heading into the top corner.
Caicedo runs at Carter and Bronze on the left, but Carter does well to dispossess the Colombian.
England are 20 minutes away from their third straight Women's World Cup semi-final.
Sandra Sepúlveda is on for Pérez.
Right away, England almost get Bronze in for a third, but she can't quite bring the ball under her spell when it's sent from left to right into the Colombian area.
Colombia are going to have to make a change: goalkeeper Catalina Pérez is down and cannot go on.
Goal! England 2-1 Colombia! Russo puts the Lionesses ahead!
It's not the best defending from Daniela Arias, and England have turned the scoreboard on its head!
Stanway slips a through ball into Russo, who's spinning off Arias and charging into the box.
Stanway's ball is too close to Arias, but Russo manages to bring the ball under her control, before advancing into the area and firing low past Pérez!
Hemp is left in a heap on the ground after challenging for a bouncing ball with Carabalí. The Colombian went in with a little more conviction, and it was the England forward who came off worst.
Hemp is quickly back on her feet, though.
"Yes, we can!" shout the Colombian fans.
An hour gone, and it remains anybody's game.
Hemp, Stanway and Greenwood all stand over it... and eventually it's a training-ground routine that almost comes off!
Stanway slips it left to Hemp, who has peeled off into space. She lifts it across the box - but with a gaggle of white shirts waiting, Pérez scampers off her line to just get enough on the ball.
England bring it forward nicely, before Daniela Arias trips Russo five yards or so outside of the Colombia area.
A free-kick to England, and in a very promising position...
England's Keira Walsh (right) tussles for the ball with Colombia's Catalina Usme (centre).
(Photo: Izhar KHAN / AFP)
Back come Colombia at England, working it left to Vanegas to cross. England deal with her ball.
Daly heads the corner right at Pérez. She was well placed and had a good amount of space to connect with her header, but couldn't trouble the Colombia goalkeeper.
Again England get it right to Russo, who tries to burst beyond Daniela Arias and into the Colombian area.
Arias keeps her at bay sufficiently to get it behind for a corner.
One corner becomes two, and when the second delivery falls to Walsh on the edge of the Colombia box, she chests down the bouncing ball and volleys a good couple of yards over the crossbar.
England enjoy their first spell of sustained possession in the Colombia half. Walsh feeds it right to Russo, who'll get there before the ball runs over the byline, but her cross is deflected behind for a corner.
Right away, Colombia get Ramírez chasing a through ball and putting Carter under pressure, but the England defender deals with it.
This is such a finely-poised tie.
Peeeep! The teams are back out for the second half, and Ekaterina Koroleva gets us underway!
No half-time changes for either side.
Lauren Hemp (left) leads the celebrations after her leveller for England in first-half stoppage time.
(Photo: Izhar KHAN / AFP)
Leicy Santos' shot drifts over Mary Earps and into the England net.
(Photo: REUTERS/Jaimi Joy)
Peeep peeep peeep! It's all square at the break, then.
Santos' stunning strike looked to have given Colombia a half-time lead, but Pérez's goalkeeping rick gifted England a leveller just before the break.
It's been an immensely enjoyable watch in Sydney.
Goal! England 1-1 Colombia - the Lionesses level!
It's an absolute defensive nightmare for Colombia.
Bronze heads the ball across the box to Russo, who - seemingly - can only turn it tamely into Pérez's arms.
However, the goalkeeper gets in a frightful muddle, allowing Russo to poke the ball to Hemp - who crashes home from close range!
Again England come at Colombia. Daly lifts in a cross that's headed away only as far as Stanway, but she can't work her way into space to shoot from just outside of the area.
England look to hit back before the break.
Russo wriggles into crossing space and plays a cross into Hemp in the Colombia box, but the Manchester City forward cannot turn it goalwards.
Six minutes of time added on.
England are behind for the first time at the tournament.
Goal! England 0-1 Colombia! Leicy Santos scores!
It's a fabulous strike by Santos, who has bamboozled Mary Earps there.
Receiving the ball on the right, Santos advances towards the corner of the England box, before lifting an angled, chipped shot over Earps. It sails in under the crossbar, and into the far corner.
Colombia lead!
Caicedo collects with her back to goal and tries to clip an angled ball out to Guzmán on the right. Her pass is overhit; or, rather, Guzmán had checked her run as she feared drifting offsoide.
Again England look to get it forward through Greenwood's left boot, but Russo can't collect the defender's high ball and, despite seeking a free-kick for an alleged shove, doesn't get one.
England knock it about in the Colombia half for a good minute or so, before Greenwood stands up a ball to Russo at the back of the Colombia box. Russo nods it inside to Bronze, who tries to help it further on into the danger area, but can't. Colombia clear.
Caicedo is such a danger. She somehow manages to gather a Guzmán cross from the right, before twisting and turning her way into a yard of shooting space just to the right of the penalty spot. Give the England defence its due, though: a wall of white shirts is quickly there to block Caicedo's attempt.
Colombia's Linda Caicedo in action
(Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine)
Greenwood lifts a ball into Russo's run towards the far post, but the forward is beaten to the ball.
Having been a little under the cosh for a couple of minutes, Colombia are enjoying a good little spell here.
Santos tries to wriggle into shooting space on the edge of the England box, but can't find a yard. She feeds it out to the left for Caicedo, whose cross into the area is repelled.
England have definitely been closer to scoring, but Colombia are giving the European champions plenty to think about, too.
Ramírez scuttles forward down the right and thumps a ball off Greenwood and out for a Colombia throw-in.
Guzmán takes the throw-in, before whipping the return pass into the box. Again Caicedo is waiting, but Bright heads away.
Guzmán whacks in a cross from the right, with Caicedo the target. The Real Madrid forward is easily muscled off it, however, and England clear.
England are pinning Colombia back right now. Hemp cuts inside two defenders and lays the ball across the top of the box, but it's not to a white shirt. England come again, though, Walsh finding a yard to shoot from just outside the box. She wallops the ball wide, though.
A minute later, England again get Daly into a position to test Pérez, but she fires off target from 25 yards or so!
After a long wait as Ekaterina Koloreva sorts out a bit of shoving, England create a fine chance for Daly!
Greenwood's delivery runs through to Stanway on the edge of the box. She slices her shot, but it flies right onto Daly's head at the back post. She gets a firm enough connection on it, but Pérez saves!
England enjoy a prolonged period on the ball in the Colombia half, and Bronze finally wins the Lionesses a corner kick.
Greenwood will take...
Daly tries to skip by Guzmán, who fairly clatters her.
She stays down for a while, but is finally up. She looks like she’ll be fine.
Colombia's Mayra Ramírez tussles with England's Rachel Daly.
(Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine)
Vanegas lifts the ball into the England box, but Daly heads away.
A moment later, Santos scampers down the left before clipping in a ball towards Ramírez, but again the Lionesses deal with it.
England work it left to Daly to cross from the left. She lifts it into the box towards Hemp, but Colombia clear.
England pop it about inside the Colombian half, once more to loud boos - but when a pass is misplaced and the South Americans win it back, there are huge cheers.
This is shaping up as such a fascinating clash.
Again Colombia come at England, and it's Caicedo's first threatening moment on the ball. She streaks away from Bronze on the left, before producing a neat trick to cut inside Carter. With shooting space opening up in front of her, however, she blazes it over!
Oh, she's a talent.
Just as I say that, Colombia enjoy their best attacking moment since the very first couple of minutes.
Usme tries her luck from range, but it's blocked. Back come Las Cafeteras, working it to Guzmán on the right. She's well placed to play the ball across goal with Colombian shirts waiting, but Greenwood is in exactly the right position to cut out her cross.
Santos tries to help the ball on to Caicedo on the left wing, but her pass is wayward and England win it back. The Colombians are struggling to keep hold of it at the moment.
Just before that Russo chance, Colombia brought on Ana María Guzmán for Carolina Arias.
It's all being played in the Colombia half right now.
Bright lifts a high ball into Bronze's run forward on the right, where the full-back nods it across the box towards Russo.
Russo can't get on the end of it, but a moment later she does connect with a fine inswinging ball by Hemp. She can only glance it right at Pérez in the Colombia goal, though.
Arias appears to be in quite some pain; I reckon her night is over, to be honest.
Colombia are temporarily down to 10 players.
The Lionesses create a fine double chance - albeit Russo was offside, so it wouldn't have counted.
Russo heads down Bronze's right-wing cross, and Hemp controls and shoots from the edge of the six-yard box. Her effort is blocked, as is Russo's on the follow-up.
Colombia's Carolina Arias appears to have hurt herself in the process of repelling one of those shots.
England enjoy their first sustained period of possession, to a backdrop of whistles and boos.
They come forward, and...
Spurred on by their vocal support, Colombia have started on the front foot.
Ramírez lifts an inswinging cross into the England area from the right, but it's far too close to Earps, who gathers with ease.
Right away, Usme lifts a ball over the top for Ramírez to chase into the England box. It's too far ahead of Ramírez, however, and Earps is off her line to gather.
Loud chants of "Colombia, Colombia!" And, one suspects, England will be getting no help from the local fans inside Stadium Australia.
Peeeeeep! Ekaterina Koroleva gets us up and running.
Almost time to go at Stadium Australia!
So, anthems done - it’s almost time for the off. Here’s a quick reminder of the teams:
England:
Earps, Carter, Bright, Greenwood, Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly, Toone, Russo, Hemp.
Colombia:
Pérez, C. Arias, Carabalí, D. Arias, Vanegas, Ospina, Bedoya, Ramírez, Santos, Caicedo, Usme.
Unless the England fans were just particularly reticent about belting out God Save the King, the comparative volume with which the Colombian anthem has just been sung appears to confirm that, indeed, Las Cafeteras' supporters are in the majority in Sydney.
Out come the teams!
The teams are at Stadium Australia, which looks to have a lot of Colombians inside it.
Time for the national anthems. England first.
American referee Ekaterina Koroleva will be in charge of today's clash in Sydney.
Koroleva is at her second Women's World Cup, albeit it's her first as a match referee.
Opta's updated tournament odds
Speaking of Opta’s supercomputer, it has just recalculated its overall odds on the winner of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
After Australia’s win over France, Spain are the tournament favourites with a 29.38% chance of lifting the trophy, Opta say. The Matildas are next, on 25.91%, with England just behind on 23.92%.
Sweden are fourth favourites, with a percentage of 18.75, while Colombia are viewed as the clear outsiders. The South Americans are given just a 2.05% chance of glory in Australia and New Zealand.
Opta make England clear favourites
Stats specialists Opta are firmly backing England to progress today.
Opta’s supercomputer gives England a 63.9% chance of winning in 90 minutes; Colombia, on the other hand, have only a 13.7% chance.
There is a 22.4% chance of the game going into extra time, Opta say.
If you're wondering where you can tune in to England vs Colombiaon TV or online, let me point you in the direction of my colleague Andy Restrepo's guide on how to watch.
Australia await in the semis!
After a frankly absurd shootout, Australia have beaten France and will play England or Colombia in the semi-finals on Wednesday!
The Matildas twice missed penalties to win it, before Cortnee Vine was finally able to kill off Les Bleues.
What the coaches said: Nelson Abadía, Colombia
Confident in ability:
“Of course we have to be mindful of England’s history in the game, but for me the most important thing is what we do out on the pitch. It’s 11 versus 11 - all 22 players are important. So we go into the clash with the same optimism as ever; we know what we’re capable of. We’ve come up against other European sides and we know how to tackle them.”
Character:
“The game against Germany was a tactical battle and we approached it well. The same goes for the clashes with South Korea and Morocco. Against Jamaica, we moved into the realm of sudden death and the team showed real personality. The players knew how to respond to the challenge out on the pitch. Fate has pitted us against the runners-up from the Euros [in 2022], and now the tournament winners. We know what their strengths are.”
England head coach Sarina Wiegman at Stadium Australia ahead of kick-off.
(Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine)
What the coaches said: Sarina Wiegman, England
Colombia "unpredictable"
"Colombia have done very well - they're a strong team. They're very together. We see they're physically strong with some powerful players and want to get the ball to their attacking players because they're unpredictable.”
Game to go the distance?
"I hope we don't have that much stress [as against Nigeria]. We've seen in this tournament that not one game is easy for anyone, it's so competitive and that's the beauty of the game too, and the beauty of the growth of the women's football game.”
England and Colombia's second meeting
Ranked fourth and 25th in the world, respectively, England and Colombia have met once before - and that clash was also at the Women’s World Cup.
The nations faced off in the group stage of the 2015 tournament in Canada, the English winning 2-1 thanks to goals by Karen Carney and Fara Williams. Lady Andrade replied for the Colombians in stoppage time.
Colombia new to QF stage
Colombia, on the other hand, are contesting their first ever Women’s World Cup quarter-final.
If they beat England today, Las Cafeteras will become only the second South American team ever to reach the tournament's semi-finals.
2007 runners-up Brazil are the other CONMEBOL nation to have made it to the last four.
(Image: SofaScore)
England chase hat-trick of semi-finals
England are competing in their fifth straight Women’s World Cup quarter-final - and have the chance to reach the last four for the third tournament in succession.
The Lionesses finished third and fourth, respectively, in 2015 and 2019.
Our colleagues at SofaScore have put together an at-a-glance look at the European champions’ record at the Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991.
Australia vs France goes to spot-kicks
Over in Brisbane, by the way, Australia vs France has finished 0-0 and will be decided from the penalty spot.
Not long now till we know England or Colombia's last-four opposition...
England's players take in their surroundings at Stadium Australia ahead of today's quarter-final.
(Photo: REUTERS/Carl Recine)
Toone in for England; Vanegas returns for Colombia
England and Colombia have both made one change to the line-ups that began their last-16 ties.
For the Lionesses, Ella Toone is in for the suspended Lauren James. For the South Americans, meanwhile, Manuela Vanegas returns from a one-match ban and replaces Ana María Guzmán.
(Photo: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)
Colombia team news
Colombia have also announced their line-up. Nelson Abadía has gone with: Pérez, C. Arias, Carabalí, D. Arias, Vanegas, Ospina, Bedoya, Ramírez, Santos, Caicedo, Usme.
England team news
England's team is out, and is as follows: Earps, Carter, Bright, Greenwood, Bronze, Stanway, Walsh, Daly, Toone, Russo, Hemp.
Usme strike sends Colombia into quarters
As for Colombia, Nelson Abadía's side set up today's quarter-final clash with England by edging Jamaica in the last 16 Melbourne.
Catalina Usme gave Las Cafeteras a 1-0 win with a lovely, cushioned finish early in the second half. It really was a fine goal.
(Photo: EFE/EPA/JOEL CARRETT)
James banned for two games
In the wake of her red card, by the way, Lauren James has been handed a two-match ban.
She'll be missing today and in the semi-finals, if England get there. Were the Lionesses to beat Colombia, James would return to availability either for the final or the third-place playoff.
(Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)
Kelly's cracking kick
By the way, Chloe Kelly's winning penalty for England was, I would say, the best spot-kick I have ever seen. She absolutely larruped it into the top corner, with a stylish(ish) run-up to boot.
The people at the Guardian have explored the science behind Kelly's thunderous kick, which clocked in as the fastest shot so far at the Women's World Cup.
“The raised left foot at the start [of Kelly's run-up] does not have much to do with the power of the kick but rather to initiate the practised rhythm of the action and to ensure an accurate foot-ball contact for max power,” Professor Mark Lake of Liverpool John Moores University said.
“Then she has good rotational follow-through of the kicking leg after ball contact. "
England in QFs after Nigeria scare
There’s no two ways about it: England utterly scraped through the last 16.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were overwhelming favourites to see off Nigeria in the opening knockout round, but it was the Super Falcons who played much the better of the two. Indeed, the Africans struck the frame of Mary Earp’s goal on more than one occasion.
What’s more, Lauren James’ red card for an 87th-minute stamp on Michelle Alozie meant England pretty much had to hang on in extra time and hope for penalties. Penalties they got, and - despite Georgia Stanway missing the Lionesses’ opening kick - they triumphed from the spot.
(Photo: EFE/EPA/DARREN ENGLAND)
Spain to face Dutch in semis
Elsewhere in the World Cup quarter-finals, Spain and Sweden set up a last-four clash with victories over the Netherlands and Japan, respectively, on Friday.
For the Spaniards, who triumphed 2-1, Salma Paralluelo was the match winner. The substitute netted in extra time in Wellington after Stefanie van der Gragt’s last-gasp leveller had forced the additional half hour.
Later on Friday, the much-fancied Japanese were edged out by Sweden. Amanda Ilestedt and Ingrid Angeldahl gave the Scandinavians a 2-0 half-time lead in Auckland, and Honoka Hayahi’s late goal was not enough for Japan.
Spain and Sweden will meet in Auckland on Tuesday.
(REUTERS/Molly Darlington TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Australia or France up next for victors
The winners of England vs Colombia will be rewarded with a semi-final tie against either co-hosts Australia, or France.
That quarter-final is being played as we speak. It remains goalless in Brisbane, where the clash has now gone into extra time. I'll keep you updated on further developments in that game.
(Photo: (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
England vs Colombia
Hello, hello! Welcome to our live coverage of the last of the Women's World Cup quarter-finals, as European champions England taken on Copa América runners-up Colombia in a tie that I am very much looking forward to.
Kick-off at Stadium Australia is at 6:30am ET - about an hour and a half's time.