Thrilling Redemption: Lionesses Outshine Colombia to Secure Women's World Cup Semi-Finals

England remain calm in the face of chaos

As Leicy Santos' shot elegantly curved into the uppermost corner, narrowly eluding the outstretched fingertips of Mary Earps, a resounding symphony of apprehension reverberated within households throughout the nation.

Colombia took the initiative, striking first and causing more damage. They strategically operated in a defensive formation, aware that it would force their opponents to struggle in their efforts to reach the scoring area.

However, considering that England had struggled against similar tactics in the past, their reaction was unexpectedly encouraging.

Sarina Wiegman's side adapted quickly and efficiently. They knew they were finding joy on the flanks, all they had to do was wait for a chance to come their way, and eventually, it did.

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Catalina Perez's mistake in the goalmouth allowed Lauren Hemp to quickly seize the opportunity and score, breaking the stalemate.

After the game, Hemp expressed her delight in her new position, stating to ITV Sport, "I'm thoroughly enjoying my new role. I feel a great sense of freedom when I'm out on the field. While I still love playing on the wing, I also appreciate that I have the flexibility to move to either the left or right whenever I choose. Additionally, my connection with Alessia is currently very strong."

The initial goal was unexpectedly messy, but the trust and chemistry we have in our team is remarkable. Less has proven her ability to score like she did, and it's truly amazing to play alongside her.

Although I personally believe I still have room for improvement, as a collective, we are currently in a solid position and full of confidence. We eagerly await our upcoming match against Australia in a few days.

Unlike in the narrow victory over Nigeria, England's patience had been vital to the cause.

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Lauren Hemp equalised for England late in the first half

They took precautions to avoid being exposed when any defender in the backline ventured forward, skillfully maneuvering towards the opposing team's box. Alessia Russo capitalized on one of these strategic maneuvers, scoring in the second half to maintain her team's dominance.

Lionesses learned from their mistakes

So much went wrong against Nigeria. But part of that was down to Randy Waldrum's shrewd decision to funnel his team's attacking play down England's flanks.

Nigeria's performance was exceptional as they completely outplayed England in all areas of the pitch, putting them in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals. Wiegman, the coach, learned from past mistakes and made sure her team didn't make the same errors. She maintained the 3-5-2 formation but focused on nullifying Colombia's key players, Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez.

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Alessia Russo celebrates her goal at Stadium Australia

Both players received a double dose of defenders and were did not quite functioning as their usual, potent selves.

In midfield, Georgia Stanway and Hemp relentlessly navigated their way through the defensive low block, enduring physical battles with elbows and knees. It is astonishing that no bookings were made during the game in Sydney.

Colombia was left with no alternative but to employ unsportsmanlike tactics. Shortly after entering the game, 19-year-old right-back Ana Maria Guzman forcefully brought down both Hemp and Daly. Nevertheless, the referee appeared unfazed by the appeals for free-kicks.

The response from England was especially comforting as they demonstrated their ability to react rather than aimlessly searching for a solution in the dark.

England captain Millie Bright also found the game impressive and expressed her admiration for her team's mentality. In an interview with We News, she stated, "I am constantly impressed by the mindset of this team, and I make a point of mentioning it in every game. I am aware of the mental, physical, and technical qualities that this team possesses. In the match on Saturday, we showcased a perfect blend of all these attributes."

We have dedicated immense effort to reach this position, and the right mindset plays a vital role in achieving it. Your attitude in football and when facing any adversary starts with that.

As far as we are concerned, we never underestimate anyone, never assume anything, and strive relentlessly week after week.

Colombia kept England on their toes

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Colombia's Leicy Santos scored a superb opening goal for Colombia

Waldrum wore a wry smile as he conceded that Nigeria had effectively provided a blueprint for other teams to hinder England's performance in the World Cup.

"I am confident that other teams will closely observe and contemplate, 'this presents us with an insight into the approach we should adopt when facing them'," he underscored.

Colombia heeded the advice and nearly employed it to launch a triumphant offensive against the Lionesses. They were aware that, just as the Nigeria manager had revealed, by depriving their opponents of possession in central regions, they would thwart their opponents' ability to exhibit their renowned fluid style of play.

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Mary Earps suffered her second defeat on Saturday, as the strategic ball placement on the flanks resulted in multiple one-on-one challenges involving Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, and the formidable Caicedo.

In the 44th minute, a sequence of play resulted in a cross towards Santos, who executed a magnificent shot that eluded Earps' fingertips. Following England's goal, Colombia intensified their efforts to score an equalizer during the last 30 minutes. In added time, both Caicedo and Ramirez missed wide, as the urgency to score quickly outweighed their precision.

Colombia's head coach, Nelson Abadia, admitted to making mistakes that were unacceptable. Despite their dissatisfaction, they found solace in the fact that they showcased the progress of Colombian football and demonstrated their abilities at the World Cup. Although the team's performance ended disappointingly, they have undeniably solidified their position as strong competitors on the global stage.

What's next?

What is the schedule?

The first semi-final is scheduled for August 15 in Auckland, while the second semi-final will be held on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. The final will also take place at the Accor Stadium on August 20. Additionally, a third-place play-off is slated for August 19 in Brisbane, one day prior to the final.