Alessia Russo’s second half goal lifts England into FIFA Women’s World Cup semis

SYDNEY, Aug 12 – Alessia Russo’s second half objective lifted England to an exhilarating 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Colombia on Saturday and into the Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the third consecutive time.

Lauren Hemp additionally scored for the European champions, who now face hosts Australia on Wednesday in Sydney for a spot of their first World Cup closing.

“It’s exciting, what more do you want in front of a home crowd?” Russo, who was named participant of the match, informed ITV. “We got a bit of that tonight against Colombia. You want to play against the best teams.

“England followers can all the time dare to dream however we’ll keep it up working laborious,” Russo said.

Colombia, who were the lowest-ranked team remaining at 25 and had never made it past the round of 16, opened the scoring with a goal from Leicy Santos to the delight of the large swathes of yellow-and-blue clad Colombian fans among the crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia.

The fourth-ranked Lionesses, missing top scorer Lauren James to a two-game suspension, were one of just four top-10 ranked teams left standing — along with Sweden (3), Spain (6) and Australia (10) — in a tournament that has been full of delightful twists and turns.

“I’m very, very glad to remain right here for one more week,” coach Sarina Wiegman said. “I feel the crew confirmed once more some resilience and numerous togetherness.”

Asked what Wiegman — the lone female head coach remaining from the original dozen — said in the post-game huddle, Russo answered: “Sarina stated that she was proud. Lots to work on and we get rested and go once more.”

Russo netted the winner in the 63rd minute, pouncing on a through ball from Georgia Stanway that bounced off a Colombia defender and into the path of the Arsenal forward, who fired low and hard into the bottom corner.

Santos scored against the run of play in the 44th minute, launching a curling ball that deflected off the leg of Rachel Daly and into the top corner of the 18-yard box, grazing Mary Earps’s fingertips and going into the far corner of the net.

Trailing for the first time in the tournament, the Lionesses, who are undefeated in 37 of their last 38 games, kept their composure and when Colombian keeper Catalina Perez fumbled and lost the ball on Russo’s shot, Hemp was there to poke it in from six yards out just before the halftime whistle.

“This crew is de facto particular. Long might that proceed,” Hemp said. “The environment was unimaginable. The connection I’ve with Alessia is de facto robust. Bring on Australia. I’m completely buzzing. I’m over the moon and may’t wait.”

Lorena Bedoya Durango had a great opportunity at an equaliser with a long-range effort late in regulation time that Earps deflected over the crossbar.

Eighteen-year-old Linda Caicedo, who was one of the thrilling gamers on the World Cup, had a final probability deep in further time however shook her head after firing the ball over the bar. 

—Reuters