Women’s Euro champions England edged previous a dogged Colombian aspect 2-1 whereas hosts Australia survived an exciting penalty shootout in opposition to France on Saturday to arrange a blockbuster Women’s World Cup semifinal.
Sarina Wiegman’s aspect fought again from taking place to a shocking Leicy Santos aim for a deserved win in entrance of a pro-Colombian crowd of 75,000 in Sydney.
England shall be again at Stadium Australia on Wednesday and can face an much more hostile reception in opposition to the co-hosts.
In the opposite quarterfinal of the day, Australia beat France 7-6 in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout to succeed in the final 4 for the primary time of their historical past.
Colombia, enjoying of their first quarter-final, took the lead in opposition to the run of play by an exquisite dipping effort from the sting of the field by Santos on 44 minutes.
But England struck again deep in first-half stoppage time when Lauren Hemp pounced on a goalkeeping error by a fumbling Catalina Perez, earlier than Alessia Russo sealed the quarter-final within the Lionesses’ favour with a cool second-half end.
Colombia have a status for being bodily and so they dished out some roughhouse remedy.
Wiegman praised her gamers for maintaining their cool whereas nonetheless remaining aggressive.
“We stay calm, we can see the goal, you don’t see panic,” mentioned Wiegman, who took her native Netherlands to the 2019 remaining, the place they misplaced 2-0 to the United States.
“We have had numerous challenges and we have now obtained by.
“It shows the resilience of the team … they got through really well, they got up and got the win over the line.”
The Twenty fifth-ranked Colombia have been among the many many surprises on the World Cup, their gorgeous 2-1 win over Germany a spotlight of the group part.
They have additionally been one of many best-supported groups on the event and their followers dominated at Stadium Australia, their yellow shirts vastly outnumbering England supporters.
Their coach Nelson Abadia known as the event “a turning point” for ladies’s soccer in Colombia.
“We are not satisfied but we have peace of mind because we know we had a very good performance throughout the World Cup,” he mentioned.
“We proved how Colombia has progressed and evolved.”
Penalty drama
Australia emerged from a heart-stopping penalty shootout in Brisbane after 120 minutes of goalless stalemate in opposition to France.
It all got here down within the shootout to Australia’s Cortnee Vine, and he or she coolly transformed the successful kick to ship the house crowd into raptures.
It ended a exceptional shootout that noticed each groups take 10 penalties.
Australia coach Tony Gustavsson mentioned it was probably the most emotionally draining evening of his profession.
“I’ve won medals, but I said to the team before this game that it’s not about the medals around your neck,” he added.
“It’s about the heart beating on the back of it. And the heart beating tonight in this team and in this country, unbelievable. I’m so freaking proud about this team.”
In entrance of a sell-out crowd of greater than 50,000, Sam Kerr got here off the bench within the second half and the talismanic striker duly transformed her penalty within the shootout.
Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold had missed an opportunity to win the sport within the shootout when her kick hit the publish, however she saved twice from Kenza Dali after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) noticed she had each toes off her line the primary time.
Vicki Becho missed France’s tenth penalty, and it was left to Vine to beat France’s substitute goalkeeper Solene Durand, who had been despatched on particularly for the shootout.
“You have to be proud of the girls tonight. They played an exceptional match,” French coach Herve Renard mentioned.
In the opposite semi-final, Sweden will face Spain on Tuesday.
Spain beat the Netherlands 2-1 in further time and Sweden defeated the 2011 champions Japan by the identical scoreline on Friday, which means there shall be a brand new title on the World Cup trophy this 12 months.
Outgoing holders the United States and former champions Norway and Germany are all already out.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
