England set up old rivalry on new stage thanks to Alessia Russo magic
One of the oldest sporting rivalries will be played on a new stage, after England overcame yet another new problem. A first comeback of this Women’s World Cup will ensure Sarina Wiegman’s side return to Stadium Australia to play the hosts in Wednesday’s semi-final, in what is set to be the grandest occasion of this thrilling tournament so far. England once more avoided succumbing to a surprise exit, as they began to show the sort of quality everyone has long expected in this tenacious 2-1 victory over Colombia. The invigorating South American side deserve huge credit for bringing that out of the European champions, as they became the first side to take the lead against them at this World Cup. And there was so briefly the possibility they could put them out. Something was different with this England, though, that could well be crucial against Australia. Alessia Russo almost summed it up by offering that huge moment: a fine finish to win it. As good as Nigeria were in that last-16 game, there was a sense of England playing the occasion and letting the tension of a first knockout game get to them. Had they gone behind in that match, it was more doubtful whether they could have hauled it back. Not so here. Hugely influential to that was that so many players looked back to their best. Georgia Stanway offered her own best display of the World Cup, growing into it in the way she did at Euro 2022. Lauren Hemp was winning everything and running the game, having brought England back from defeat with her equaliser. Russo then ensured yet another massive goal and a moment that may prove transformative for her own campaign. The finish was brilliant but the touch to set it up perhaps even better. The manner in which she flicked it was sublime. There was an element of ragged desperation about England at times, but that was inevitable when an opposition side are fighting for the moment of their lives. Colombia had nothing to lose in the last few minutes but had exactly the attackers – especially in the livewire Linda Caicedo – to play like that. They just took the wrong decision too often and England’s defence got their timing just right. That brought relief, and this World Cup has taken so much out of them, but there is suddenly a sense they are in good shape going into the biggest test so far. A lot of this match actually produced England’s best football of the tournament. They were assertive but elaborate, willing to play the ball around in fine patterns. There were a few moves when it looked like they could just pass their way right through Colombia. It all looked so highly controlled… until the moment it wasn’t. That was what made this quarter-final so engaging. Colombia had an edge that constantly disrupted England just as momentum was building, as well as a willingness to try things. The great question will be whether Leicy was actually trying to beat Earps with that first goal, but one argument in favour comes from the fact she wasn’t the first Colombian to attempt such an effort from out wide. Caicedo had done it minutes before. The idea had at least been planted. Either way, the ball ended up in the back of the net from Leicy’s wide effort. It was indicative of the unpredictability of this match. It was also unprecedented. England were behind for the first time in this World Cup and the first time in any tournament match since the quarter-final against Spain in Euro 2022. They responded superbly. There was a sharpness about everything England did, with Stanway bringing real danger at the edge of the Colombian box. That defence quickly buckled. From the kind of cross-field ball that constantly brought opportunity for England, Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez fumbled and a deflection allowed Hemp to force the ball home. The conviction could be seen in the celebration. England had an impetus. They could have done with a longer stoppage time. It was half-time at the wrong time. But Russo ensured it didn’t matter. She got her touch absolutely right for that 63rd-minute moment of opportunism and took her chance brilliantly. The ball was drilled into the corner with no doubt or hesitation whatsoever. You couldn’t quite say the same about the last 15 minutes. Colombia went at England with everything. Earps made good for any suggestion she was poor for the goal with one brilliant save from a rasping Lorena Bedoya long shot. She then bought England time in that canny way she does, dropping onto caught balls, disrupting the opposition. It was only a mirror of what Colombia had done to England earlier. Wiegman’s team battled through it. They again showed their fight, but something more. That is going to be essential on Wednesday, because that is going to be a rivalry, a battle, but also so much more. Read More England vs Colombia LIVE: Women’s World Cup latest score and updates after Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo goals Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Who and when do England play next? Lionesses route to the World Cup final How many games will Lauren James miss at Women’s World Cup after red card? Player ratings from England vs Colombia as Russo scores winning goal Who and when do England play next? Route to the World Cup final
2023-08-12 21:45
'It leaves an advantage to Today’: ‘GMA’ hosts unhappy about moving out of Times Square studio
'GMA' will soon leave its Times Sqaure office for a sprawling new space bought by Disney at 4 Hudson Square in NYC
2023-10-20 12:25
Fired 'GMA' star TJ Holmes shows off his impressive running stats in preparation for NYC Marathon
TJ Holmes also shared a screenshot of the playlist he listened to during the run, which included several old classics
2023-10-19 11:52
Ukraine Russia news – live: Putin’s war general confirmed killed in Ukraine in a first this year, says UK
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said that Russian general-major Sergei Goryachev was almost certainly killed in a strike on a command post on or around 12 June 2023, in southern Ukraine. The top Russian general Goryachev was the chief of staff of 35th Combined Arms Army (35 CAA). “With 35 CAA’s nominated commander, General-Lieutenant Alexandr Sanchik, reported to be filling a gap in a higher HQ, there is a realistic possibility that Goryachev was the acting army commander at the time of his death,” the ministry said today. Goryachev is the first Russian general confirmed killed in Ukraine since the start of 2023, the MoD said. This comes as a senior military official in Kyiv said Ukraine’s soldiers are ready to fight Vladimir Putin’s “even with our bare hands”, as Kyiv claimed its counteroffensive had already liberated 100 square kilometres of territory from Russia. Russia is bringing in reserves to eastern sector of heavy fighting in the war from other parts of Ukraine, Ukrainian deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said. Read More Ukraine’s ‘D-Day’ offensive is going to need all the help it can get Petty squabbles and strategic differences threaten to undermine Nato’s united front over Ukraine How significant is the reported recapture of the first Ukrainian villages from Russia?
2023-06-16 14:16
Thomas Frank salutes ‘fantastic’ Brentford as they grab late equaliser
Thomas Frank credited his “fantastic” Brentford side after Bryan Mbeumo’s late equaliser against Bournemouth earned a 2-2 draw in the Premier League. Mbeumo’s fourth of the season cancelled out goals from Dominic Solanke and David Brooks after Mathias Jensen took the lead for Brentford in the first half. And Frank praised his team’s second-half display which saw them extend their unbeaten start to the season. “First half we were good but second half we were fantastic,” Frank said. “I think we ran over Bournemouth in the second half and we created chance after chance. “I would love to have 10 points (Brentford have six) and I think we could easily say we deserve to have more, but it’s up to others to discuss if we should have eight or 10. “I think we had a chance to win all three draws at home (Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth), the Tottenham and Crystal Palace games were tight but it was clear we should have won them and we have to keep going.” Cherries boss Andoni Iraola admitted Brentford’s late goal hurt as his side searched for their first win of the season. And the Spaniard revealed his side rued a series of mistakes which led to Mbeumo’s goal. “The worst thing for us is the way we concede the goal,” Iraola added. “It comes from our own goal-kick and we made two or three mistakes because we were probably not at our best but we have have to know how to finish the games because we had run a lot and (played) good stretches of football. “To lose it in this way hurts. “In set-pieces they have very good players and we needed maximum help in the duels and the crosses we received in the last minutes but it didn’t work as we conceded the second goal. Iraola highlighted that Bournemouth suffered out of possession in the lead up to the final goal. He said: “The game was a little bit territorial and the advantage was very important because we were suffering when they were playing in our half and they had set-pieces like corners, free-kicks. “Whenever the game was in their half I think we were playing better, we were more in control of the situation and so at the end they had nothing to lose and put more bodies up front and closed with three defenders. “We tried to defend the long balls, crosses and throw ins better because sometimes you have to suffer to win the games and be compact.”
2023-09-03 12:21
Jose Mourinho admits 'deep feelings' for all his club except one
Jose Mourinho which is the only one of his clubs he doesn't have 'deep feelings' for.
2023-05-26 02:50
Walmart to upgrade 1,400 stores with $9 billion investment
By Siddharth Cavale NEW YORK U.S. retail chain Walmart on Monday said it is investing more than $9
2023-10-31 00:29
John Goodman shows off major weight loss
John Goodman is looking decidedly more svelte these days.
2023-06-20 21:45
A Comprehensive List Of All The Best Labor Day Sales You Can Shop Now
Are you checking the calendar (aka your Labor Day weekend countdown) like crazy recently? Well, if you are doing just that — and also perusing this page — then it’s probably because you can’t wait for another round of Labor Day sales. From bestselling clothing and mattresses to sex toys and beauty products, there are already lots of deals to shop. Rather than fumbling through the virtual aisles of countless retailers in search of the last lingering sales, we’ve done the hard work for you. Scroll on into the only comprehensive list you need for the very best Labor Day deals that you can already shop (alphabetized quick links for the more impatient scrollers, included). But act fast — the early sales are bountiful, but some inventories are not.
2023-08-15 06:45
Crown Resorts and Australian regulator agree to $294 million penalty
Crown Resorts has agreed to a A$450 million ($294 million) penalty after it failed to prevent money laundering
2023-05-30 11:28
Meta Challenges EU’s Crackdown on Dominance of Big Tech Firms
Meta Platforms Inc. and TikTok-owner Bytedance Ltd. have formally challenged the European Union’s latest clampdown on the dominance
2023-11-16 13:17
3 Milwaukee Brewers Craig Counsell replacements to make the Cubs pay
Milwaukee Brewers fans are not happy with Craig Counsell, who left for the Chicago Cubs. Who could they hire to replace him?
2023-11-09 01:59
You Might Like...
Venus withdraws from WTA Cleveland event with knee injury
Spanish king to consult parties next week on new government
Nobel winners stage rare protest in Moscow court
Grand jury indicts Illinois man on hate crime, murder charges in attack on Muslim mom, son
ChatGPT founder says bitcoin is ‘super logical’ next step for tech
Rodríguez delivers in 4-run 9th against All-Star closer Doval as Mariners beat Giants 6-5
Where is Suzanne Morphew’s body? Officials say they know but timeline and cause of death could take years to prove
Andrew Tate posts motivational tweet for people to do better, Internet says 'giving up is not an option'
