England's World Cup clash with Colombia in quarter-finals kicks off
Lionesses, let’s ROAR! England’s World Cup showdown with Colombia in quarter-final clash kicks off – as thousands of football fans cheer on Sarina Wiegman’s team
- England up there with the favourites to go on and win World Cup Down Under
England’s Lionesses have kicked off their quarter final match against Colombia on Saturday as they battle to reach the semi-finals following a tricky last-16 game against Nigeria which saw Lauren James pick up a two-match ban.
Excited England fans arrived at Stadium Australia in Sydney waving flags and wearing red and white face paint ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup quarter-final clash.
The Colombian team had a quick start to the match with an early dash towards England’s goal, as the Lionesses faced boos and jeers from Colombian fans – a factor German players later said contributed to their loss against the side.
The Lionesses are among the favourites to win the the tournament Down Under, which would see them add to their Euro 2022 glory last year.
England needed penalties to beat Nigeria in the last-16 and will be without their star of the tournament, Lauren James, this afternoon after she picked up a two-match ban for stamping on Michelle Alozie’s back.
Rachel Daly of England controls the ball whilst under pressure from Carolina Arias of Colombia
Mary Earps shouts to her team members during the first few minutes of the match
England’s squad pose before kick-off in the quarter final match on Saturday
Fans across the UK, Australia and around the world will be hoping Sarina Wiegman’s winning formula will help England progress as they seek the highest trophy women’s football has to offer.
Alessia Russo came painfully close to an early goal, but their momentum was paused after a Colombian injury, which forced the side to make an early substitution.
The Lionesses appeared calm as they took early control in the match, appearing far more confident than they had in their last-16 contest.
Fans have been posing in front of Sydney’s famous Opera House with St George’s flags as they prepare for the Lionesses to take on a side ranked more than 20 places below them.
England are favourites to win today but their performances have so far lacked their usual cutting edge, following a series of setbacks before their World Cup campaign began.
England’s Lauren Hemp with an attempt on goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final at Stadium Australia
Carolina Arias of Colombia receives medical treatment early in the first half
Lauren Hemp of England has a shot on goal in the opening minutes of the match
The England players finish kneeling ahead of kick-off against Colombia in Sydney
England manager Sarina Wiegman during the national anthems before the match
England warm up ahead of their quarter final match against Colombia
England fans watch the quarter final in Boxpark, Croydon, London
Excited England fans (outside Stadium Australia, Sydney) have come out waving flags and wearing red and white face paint ahead of the Lionesses’ quarter-final clash with Colombia
World Cup fever is well and truly underway as England fans descend on Stadium Australia in Sydney for the next chapter of the Anglo-Colombian footballing story
These committed England fans have come dresses as Lionesses ahead of a quarter-final clash with Colombia
Fans watch the Australia v France on a big screen outside the ground before the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final between England and Colombia
Wiegman has made just one change to her starting line up as Ella Toone replaces James in the squad.
Captain Millie Bright will hope her side can make easier work of Colombia than Nigeria and wrap up the game within 90 minutes.
Their 6-1 win over China, in which Lauren James scored two goals and registered three assists, showed their potential form, but it was a cagey and defensive performance against Nigeria on Monday.
Earlier on Saturday hosts Australia beat France after an excruciating penalty shootout which took 20 strikes to settle, following a 0-0 scoreline at the end of extra time.
The Lionesses made history last summer by beating Germany 2-1 at Wembley to become European champions for the first time. Now, Wiegman’s team have their eyes on conquering the world.
The Lionesses boss said ahead of today’s clash that England have a plan to take on Colombia without top scorer Lauren James – who has netted three and assisted three in four matches.
‘Of course, she is still part of the squad,’ Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘[James] gets support from everyone. In a split second, she made a mistake and that cost her two games, and she regretted it straight away.
‘It’s [towards] the end of the game, she is fatigued, she is inexperienced and sometimes things like that happen and that is part of life. The punishment is there, two games.
‘Now she needs support from us and to learn from it. She is still part of our team, she just can’t play [on Saturday].’
England will be hoping to continue their World Cup run Down Under in a tournament which has already seen several favourites dumped out in earlier rounds
Young England fans wear red and white face paint ahead of a mouth-watering clash at Stadium Australia
England fans before the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final at Stadium Australia, Sydney
Fans from Ipswich were seen posing with the England flag in front of Australia’s famous Sydney Opera House
England and Colombia fans mix before the quarter-final in Sydney. England are heavy favourites to win
Lionesses fans are all kitted out in red and white flags and hats as they get ready for today’s quarter-final
Colombian flags have been bringing the colour with their yellow shirts, wigs and balloons
Wiegman has been described by her squad as someone who understands the reality of being a female player in a way that her predecessors didn’t.
When Wiegman was asked this week what it meant to her to be the last woman coach standing in these finals, she was, again, unforthcoming. ‘I’m not busy with my journey at the moment. I’m busy with my team,’ she replied.
Although England are ranked 21 places higher than Colombia, the South Americans have proved they are capable of an upset, beating Germany 2-1 in the group stages.
England will be hoping they can make lighter work of Colombia after having to play 120 minutes against Nigeria – getting through extra time with 10 players after James’ red card.
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