SYDNEY (AP) - Alessia Russo fired England into the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup in a 2-1 win in opposition to Colombia on Saturday.

The Arsenal striker’s second-half aim accomplished a come-from-behind win for the Lionesses after Leicy Santos had given the Colombians a first-half lead.

Lauren Hemp equalized earlier than halftime and Russo struck the winner within the 63rd minute as England superior to the semifinals for the third straight time. It will face co-host Australia for a spot within the last.

Sarina Wiegman can be a step nearer to her second consecutive Women’s World Cup last after her Netherlands workforce was runner-up to the United States in 2019.

England misplaced within the semifinals in 2015 and 2019, going out to Japan and the United States, respectively.

Wiegman led the Lionesses to victory within the European Championship final yr, having received that competitors with Netherlands in 2017.

With lots of the favorites, together with America, Germany, France and Japan, already eradicated, England will probably be more and more assured that it might win its first Women’s World Cup.

It confirmed character to come back again from Santos’ aim within the forty fourth at Stadium Australia, in addition to address a partisan crowd that was vastly in favor Colombia.

Then there was the bodily strategy of their opponents, who weighed in with various heavy challenges. Rachel Daly was despatched to the bottom after one significantly robust sort out within the first half and Alex Greenwood was caught within the face by Mayra Ramirez’ trailing arm.

Yet it was Colombia that suffered an early blow when Carolina Arias injured her left knee and needed to be substituted. Later within the half she was seen sobbing on the on the bench after receiving remedy.

England created the clearer probabilities with Russo and Daly forcing saves from goalkeeper Catalina Perez.

The recreation burst into life because it neared halftime, with the group going wild when Santos gave Colombia an sudden lead.

Taking the ball on the suitable of the field, she formed to cross, however her effort as a substitute flew immediately towards aim, catching out England keeper Mary Earps and dipping below the bar.

It sparked an eruption of noise, whereas Colombia’s substitutes ran to hitch within the celebrations with Santos and the remainder of the gamers.

If going behind for the primary time within the match got here as a shock to England, it didn’t present.

In response, the Lionesses produced arguably their most composed play as they managed possession and probed Colombia’s half.

They evened the rating after a mistake from Perez within the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time.

The keeper ought to have simply gathered the ball when Russo mis-controlled within the field, however let it slip out of her grasp and Hemp poked it over the road.

Russo’s winner got here after England had dominated the second half with out managing to open up Colombia’s protection.

Georgia Stanway collected the ball round 40 yards (meters) from aim and slipped a cross to the striker, who held off a problem from Daniela Arias earlier than firing low into the far nook from a good angle.

Colombia had made historical past by securing a spot within the final eight for the primary time and was the final remaining workforce from the Americas within the match.

But it couldn’t couldn’t discover an equalizer, with Lorena Bedoya Durango’s long-range effort the closest it got here to sending the sport into further time.

England will play Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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More AP Women’s World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

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