Women’s World Cup live: Lionesses prepare for semi-final against Australia

Join us tomorrow for all the latest news and updates from Down Under!

Alessia Russo scored a crucial goal in the 2-1 win against Colombia on Saturday to fire England into the World Cup semi-finals.

Tuesday August 15

England are now just two wins away from making history again after beating Colombia in a tense World Cup quarter-final, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

Alessia Russo’s second half strike was enough to complete a comeback after England fell behind to a stunning lob from Leicy Santos. Lauren Hemp had equalised before half-time as the Lionesses came from behind for the first time in the tournament.

With Lauren James ruled out through suspension, Sarina Wiegman could have reverted back to a 4-3-3 system but instead chose to bring in Ella Toone in the No.10 role and maintain the 3-4-1-2. This meant Russo and Hemp were retained upfront and both delivered with important goals.

And Wiegman believed her faith in retaining the system played in important role in how England repelled the Colombian attacks.

READ HERE.

Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold has reflected on the Matilda’s penalty shootout victory over France. After a goalless 120 minutes, penalties were needed to separate the two teams and it was the co-hosts who emerged victorious.

“I will remember this night for the rest of my life,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I definitely haven’t processed it. That is the craziest game I’ve ever played, considering what was on the line. It’s going to take a long time to really realise what has happened and what I’ve done and what the team has done. I’m just super proud to be Australian right now.”

FIFA have confirmed the match officials for Tuesday’s semi-final between Spain and Sweden.

England hero Alessia Russo believes the unbreakable bond of the Lionesses will help them waltz past the Matildas and into the World Cup final, writes Jeremy Armstrong and Hollie Bone.

The 24-year-old Arsenal striker hit the winner in the impressive 2-1 win over Colombia to seal a semi-final place against the hosts, Australia, on Wednesday. Back home bars, clubs and restaurants are expecting bumper lunch time takings thanks to the later 11am kick off UK time.

Alessia, of Maidstone, Kent, had parents Mario and Carol and brothers Luca and Giorgio among a huge contingent of players’ family and friends in the stands of the Stadium Australia in Sydney. She said: “We have been up against a lot at this tournament and we always find a way through.

Read here.

Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis has warned of the danger posed by Australia ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final clash.

“When Sam Kerr came on it lifted Australia,” she told BBC Sport. “France had dominated the first half and had the better chances.

“Then she (Kerr) came on, the crowd erupted and they had two or three chances straight away. We’re fully aware of what she brings because we watch her regularly in the WSL.

“Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley as well. They offer aerial threat at set pieces as well with Alanna Kennedy, among others. We know what it’s like having a home crowd, it’s a massive advantage. The success at the Euros last summer was partly down to that.

“Lots of danger.”

England’s quarter-final clash with Colombia yesterday reached a peak audience of 7.2m, the biggest UK TV audience at this summer’s World Cup.

Lucy Bronze kicked off the war of words with Australia by saying that England know how to win big games, writes Neil Moxley.

The Barcelona defender said she was looking forward to ‘a feisty affair’ with the old enemy as attention turned to Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final following victory over Colombia. It will be the third consecutive occasion that Bronze has reached the last four on the biggest stage of them all.

Both in Canada and France those clashes ended in defeat – to Japan and the United States respectively – but the Lionesses ended that sorry record of semi-final failure at last year’s Euros.

READ HERE.

Manchester United forward Leah Galton has heaped praise on former team-mate Alessia Russo after her goal against Colombia helped England book their place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, writes Beth Lindop.

It was a closely-fought encounter in Sydney, with Leicy Santos’ audacious strike looping over the head of Mary Earps to put the South Americans ahead, before Lauren Hemp pounced on a goalkeeping error to restore parity for the Lionesses on the stroke of half time. England doubled their tally for the day shortly after the hour mark, with Russo finishing smartly to send Sarina Wiegman’s side through to the last four.

The match-winning strike was Russo’s second goal at this summer’s tournament, with the 24-year-old having been the subject of plenty of scrutiny in recent weeks following her sensational switch from Manchester United to Arsenal. And Galton – who played alongside Russo for three seasons at Leigh Sports Village – said she “couldn’t be happier” for the England striker.

Read Beth Lindop’s exclusive interview here.

The penalty shootout between Australia and France in yesterday’s quarter-final was the longest ever at a World Cup, men’s or women’s.

The Lionesses are through to the Women’s World Cup semi-final following a fierce 2-1 victory over tournament dark horses Colombia, writes Megan Feringa.

Leicy Santos’ lobbed stunner fired Colombia into an unlikely lead in a tempestuous first-half. But a goalkeeping mare from Catalina Pérez saw Lauren Hemp draw England level on the stroke of half-time before Alessia Russo’s second-half strike sealed the deal for the Lionesses.

A semi-final berth against co-hosts Australia now awaits Sarina Wiegman’s team, but the immediate scenes of jubilant celebration from the European champions at full-time were punctuated by England defender Alex Greenwood consoling Colombia’s distraught Linda Caicedo.

READ HERE.

England’s semi-final opponents Australia received a warm welcome as they arrived back in Sydney ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

Gary Lineker has heaped praise on the Lionesses after they came from behind to beat Colombia and book their place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, writes Beth Lindop.

It was a cagey start to the contest in Sydney, with Leicy Santos’ sublime cross-shot looping over the head of Mary Earps and into the England net to put the South Americans ahead. Nelson Abadia’s side weren’t in front for long though, the Lionesses restoring parity on the stroke of half time through Lauren Hemp, who poked the ball home after a goalkeeping error from Catalina Perez.

And England doubled their tally for the day shortly after the hour mark, with Alessia Russo finishing smartly after a lovely through ball from Georgia Stanway. The Arsenal forward’s strike means England advance to the last four, and Lineker was full of praise for the Lionesses’ achievement.

Read the story here.

There are few managers in the business more composed than Sarina Wiegman, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

But midway through the first half of England’s quarter-final with Colombia even the Lionesses’ Dutch coach was, by her standards, animated. Rachel Daly had just been clobbered by Colombian substitute Ana Maria Guzman and was down on the turf.

The referee waved play on despite the fact it probably warranted a yellow card. As anticipated the South Americans were not scared of imposing themselves physically. Guzman had already smashed into Lauren Hemp only a few minutes earlier.

The England side could be forgiven for feeling aggrieved and the backroom staff were getting a little tetchy.

Read the full story here.

Join us throughout the day as the dust settles on England’s win over Colombia yesterday.

We’ll bring you all the updates from Down Under as the Lionesses gear up for a semi-final clash against Australia on Wednesday.

Thank you for joining us for another day of Women’s World Cup action.

England are through to the semi-finals and we’ll be back tomorrow to bring you all the reaction and updates from the Lionesses camp ahead of Wednesday’s crunch clash with Australia.

Another crucial stop from the England goalkeeper against Colombia.

Wow. Dramaaaaaaaa

So pure. Can anyone else feel this photo?

To be fair, its how we would all act if Sam Kerr handed her shirt over. Don’t lie.

Tuesday, August 15

Wednesday, August 16

• Australia vs England (11am)

There are ways to watch a penalty shootout, and whilst our first (second or third) suggestion was not doing so thousands of feet up in the sky with a limited supply of oxygen and adequate pacing space, we’re now ashamed this wasn’t further up on our list of methods.

The sychronisation is uncanny, the univerally unabashed reaction delightful. The silly fool watching Lord of the Rings we can’t account for, but what we can account for is that gone are the days of going up into the sky and not having a clue what transpired beneath you.

Our new motto: make penalty shootouts in the sky a thing.

Millie Bright captained the Lionesses as they fought off Colombia for a place in the World Cup semi-finals, while Sam Kerr donned the captain’s armband when she came on for Australia in their narrow victory over France.

Both Chelsea stars will likely lead out their sides once more for Wednesday’s semi-final match-up. It’s an exciting prospect, one we hope Blues boss Emma Hayes is on comms for.

The first half against Colombia wasn’t quite as straightforward as Sarina Wiegman would’ve liked. The opponents took the lead through Leicy Santos but Hemp was there to put England back on level terms before the break.

Alessia Russo then fired the Lionesses in front in the second half and Hemp described the performance from the team as ‘relentless’ as they forced themselves over the line, despite the late onslaught from Colombia, writes Hannah Pinnock.

Get the full story here

I think they’re rather jubilent

We all want to wish our Lionesses the best, and now you can send a message with our cheer map.

Click here to share your support.

A date with the co-hosts Matildas is set. Click the link below to find out everything you need to know about England’s upcoming semi-final clash with Australia.

England will take on co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Colombia on Saturday, writes Hannah Pinnock.

The Lionesses edged past Nigeria in the round of 16 on penalties earlier this week and their last-eight clash with Colombia was an equally stern test. After a bright start to the game, it was the South American side who took the lead in the first-half.

Leicy Santos caught England shot-stopper Mary Earps off guard with a lifted effort from range. However, the Lionesses were quick to respond as Lauren Hemp put them back on level terms before the break.

You can read the full story here.

England are into the last four. Will this FINALLY be the year they bring home the Women’s World Cup?

Alessia Russo is now talking to the media post-match as player of the match.

Gary Lineker has heaped praise on the Lionesses after they came from behind to beat Colombia and book their place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals.

A well deserved congratulations message from the England icon.

England fans were left fuming at the lack of punishment for Colombia players after several Lionesses were left on the floor in the first half of their Women’s World Cup quarter-final clash.

Jess Carter was floored after Linda Caicedo ripped up the wing in the opening 15 minutes, but it was several fouls fans believed were committed on England that have left people reeling, writes Laura Hartley.

Read the full story here.

Supporting the Lionesses in style. More of this for the Semi’s folks!

The Lionesses set-up a Sydney showdown with co-hosts Australia after Alessia Russo’s excellent finish decided a hard fought contest with the South Americans. Sarina Wiegman’s team had trailed for the first time in their campaign, but Lauren Hemp levelled before Russo’s superb finish just after the hour completed the turnaround, writes Jack Lacey-Hatton.

Read the full story here