England beats Colombia on the comeback and goes to the semifinals – 08/12/2023 – Sports

England beat Colombia 2-1, this Saturday (12), in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup and stamped their place in the semifinals of the competition for the third consecutive time, continuing in search of the unprecedented title. The English will face Australia, who eliminated France, in the semifinals.

Colombia, which for the first time reached the top eight of the competition, sees the dream come to an end, but leaves with a feeling and confirming the evolution of women’s football in the country.

The England team was without its star Lauren James, who was suspended for two games after being sent off in the game against Nigeria, when he stepped on striker Michele Alozie, who was lying on the ground. FIFA considered it “unsportsmanlike”.

The game at the Olympic stadium in Sydney started quite truncated, with the Colombians closed in defense and England trying to break through the block, but without threatening the goal. Possession of the ball was European and the Colombians barely managed to get past midfield.

After just ten minutes, Colombia lost its number 10, Carolina Arias, who was injured in a ball dispute. Guzmán took her place, but the panorama remained the same.

As the first half drew to a close, the Colombians found their goal. In the 44th minute, Leicy Santos went down the right and made a close cross into the area. The Earps goalkeeper, who was a little early, ended up being covered up.

Behind on the scoreboard, the English team went on the attack and managed to equalize in stoppage time. In the 51st minute, after a mistake by goalkeeper Pérez, who let the ball escape, Hemp took the rebound and left everything the same.

In the second half, Colombia came back playing the ball more, waiting for an opening to go on the attack. England, but physically strong, managed to impose themselves and get more to the attack, until in the 17th minute they managed to come back. Stanway receives in the middle and passes to Alexia Russo, on the right. She dominates and cross-slams, besting Arias.

From there, Colombia threw themselves into the attack, but made mistakes in the passes and stopped in the defense of England, which, in turn, managed to be more organized and was closer to increasing the advantage.

In the final minutes, Colombia pressed on, but not enough to continue making history at the Women’s World Cup.