Women's World Cup: England dismiss Colombia surprise and join Australia

England, reigning European champions, joined Australia in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup, after their narrow success against Colombia (2-1), the surprise guest of the quarters, Saturday in Sydney. The fourth nation in the world ranking Fifa reached the last four for the third time in a row. But so far, she still hasn't played in the final.

The team coached by Sarina Wiegman seems better, on paper, than the Australians, co-organizers of the tournament, who eliminated France on penalties (0-0 ap, 7-6 pens) earlier in the day, in Brisbane. But against Nigeria (0-0 aet, 4-2 pens), in the round of 16, like against the Colombians, two supposedly less strong opponents, the Lionesses suffered to qualify.

The English were behind for the first time in the competition, following the goal of Leicy Santos (44th). Deprived of their star striker Lauren James, suspended, they were realistic if not brilliant, taking advantage of two gross errors by their opponents to score, by Lauren Hemp (45th 7) and Alessia Russo (63rd). The Cafeteras, eliminated, succeeded in their tournament where, for the first time in their history, they disputed the knockout stage. The 25th nation in the world made an impression by beating Germany (2-1) in its group, with the support of an impressive wave of supporters who provided the spectacle in the stands.

Against England, Nelson Abadia's players clung to their dream for a long time, remaining faithful to their uninhibited attacking style, carried by the talent of Mayra Ramirez and Linda Caicedo, two revelations of the World Cup. The injured exit of experienced defender Carolina Arias (10th) did not destabilize the Cafeteras who were on par with the European champions. Santos rewarded their efforts with a somewhat gag goal: his cross/shot lobbed goalkeeper Mary Earps, surprised by the trajectory of the strike.

The timing of the opener, just before half-time, was perfect for Colombia, but a handball error by keeper Catalina Perez restarted the game. Embarrassed by a teammate, she let out a ball which Hemp took advantage of to equalize, as a fox of the surfaces. The Colombian goalkeeper had a bad evening until the end, with an injury which forced her to be replaced in the 67th minute.

The second period started on the same false rhythm in which the Lionesses, short of ideas, bogged down until the error of marking of Daniela Arias, which let slip Russo behind her back. The new Arsenal player transformed the opportunity with a nice cross shot, which put England back on the royal road. The English defense, one of the best in the competition, finished the job, not without a few scares, on a strike from Lorena Bedoya (71st) in particular.