England put up a great showdown against Australia in the Women’s World Cup
England 2 Colombia 1
This engrossing sporting summer of 2023 is set for another tantalizing part of the rivalry between England and Australia as the co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup take on their Lionesses this week.
After the men’s and women’s Ashes series and last weekend’s Netball World Cup Final – all of which ultimately ended with the Australians taking home the trophies – comes the Sydney semi-final between the two sides on Wednesday.
The Matildas were in their country’s first World Cup semi-final and coach Sarina Wiegmann’s side booked their place in what promises to be a historic contest on Wednesday. Coming from behind to beat Colombia in the tournament.
Wiegmann said afterwards that she would need to consult with her squad to fully appreciate the nature of the historic England-Australia rivalry, saying: “It’s going to be really big but I now have a couple of questions about that so it’s probably going to be bigger than I thought. I’ll be talking to my players and staff to see What is this rivalry.
“We’ve had a warm welcome here and really enjoyed our time in Australia. I actually like the people here but that doesn’t mean there’s no competition so we’ll see on Wednesday.
“We know it (will be) an away game. Let’s try to turn it into inspiration for us. We try to focus on our mission, what we want to do and how we want to play. Of course we want to play our game and everyone has a mission in and out of possession. That’s what we’re talking about.” – Football. (The quarter-final match) was like a home game for Colombia. We expect a similar crowd as Australia. It’s unbelievable. We’re really looking forward to it.”
The two teams will meet at Stadium Australia in Sydney, the same venue where the quarter-finals will be held and, incidentally, where England’s men beat Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.
Lionesses attacking duo Lauren Hemp and Alicia Russo leveled the quarter-finals on the head, after Liese Santos deceived Marie Erbis with what appeared to be a cross attempt that flew over the Manchester United keeper. in the network.
Slight defensive lapses from the South American, ranked 25th in the world and backed by an intimidating crowd, played a role in both of England’s goals, with goalkeeper Catalina Perez bouncing off the ball in the first half to allow Hemme to stab the ball in a game-changing game. the equalizer, before a zealous Rousseau parlayed a loose ball into a fine goal to win the competition. It was Arsenal’s second goal of the tournament, and her happiness was evident for all to see.
It has sent the European champions to their third consecutive World Cup semi-final and they will now be attempting to reach their first global final. In 2015, a final Laura Bassett own goal led to a shattering loss against Japan and in 2019 they suffered a dramatic 2-1 defeat to the USA when former captain Steve Hutton’s penalty was saved.
High drama can be expected again on Wednesday, as Australia suffers from football fever after their penalty shootout victory over France.
England’s participation in the semi-finals was boosted by the fact that all three of their one-time bookings away from suspension – Hemp, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanaway – all made it to the quarter-finals without another yellow. With those disciplinary lists wiped clean before the semi-finals, none of them would be suspended. The Lionesses are still without Lauren James as she serves her second two-match ban for the red card she picked up from the last-16 victory over Nigeria, but the Chelsea youngster now knows she can have a chance at this tournament again, either in the final. or in the match for third place.
Wiegmann praised the discipline of her players in not receiving any yellow cards, adding: “They did a tremendous job. You have to be aggressive, you play a game of football, you have to play duels to win. In one moment you can pick up a yellow card. But they were in control and they were aggressive.” But they didn’t go over the edge. Well done. So I’m glad they did because we have players available for the next game who’ve now lost their cards.”
Alex Greenwood, captain Millie Bright and Jess Carter, England’s three full-backs, put in tremendous performances of grit, solid determination and fearless defense to help the team cross the line, and both Hemp and Rosso improved greatly in their displays against Nigeria.
However, Wegman was asked if her team had yet to perform at their best in the World Cup and she replied: “Yes, some people say they are not up to par. I think you underestimate the level of our opponents. The Nigeria game was very competitive. Today we were challenged again There are moments in your career where you are sometimes not at your best but you can still perform at a high level as a team, work hard, do your jobs and find a way to win.”
That’s what England do: find a way to win. However, Australia are the only team to beat England in Wegman’s two-year tenure, having bested them in a friendly at Brentford in April. Their next meeting is simply not to be missed.
Match details and scores
England (3-5-2) Ear 6, Carter 8, Bright 8, Greenwood 8; Bronze 7, Stanway 7, Walsh 6, Tun 5, Daly 6; Rosso 7 (Kelly 6, 84), Cannabis 8 (England 6, 90 + 3).
Submarines are not used Charles, Nobbs, Hampton (JK), Woopn-Moye, Morgan, Combs, Zelm, Roebuck (JK), Robinson.
Colombia (4-2-3-1) Perez 5 (Geraldo 6, 68); C Arias 6 (Guzman 6, 10), Carabale 6, D Arias 6, Vanegas 6; Opsina 7 (Chacon 6, 78), Bedoya 6; Usme 7, Santos 7, Caicedo 7; Ramirez 7.
Submarines are not used Montoya, Reyes, Restrepo, Sepúlveda (goalkeeper), Baron, Guzman, Andrade, Ramos, Caracas, Bahr.
to rule Katya Koroleva (USA).
Presence 75784.
