
Joe Rogan's views about 'Avengers: Endgame's Hulk echoed by Louis Leterrier, says it's a 'little bit kiddish'
Joe Rogan opened up about disliking the portrayal of Hulk in 'Avengers: Endgame' while conversing with Robert Downey Jr
2023-08-13 14:21

England embrace a new identity to reveal World Cup strength
It took Sarina Wiegman a moment to fully realise the enormity of what England now face in Australia. If a World Cup semi-final wasn’t big enough, the Lionesses will now play the hosts in Sydney for a place in the final. Amid the excitement of a fresh new chapter in this historic sporting rivalry, Wiegman admitted that coming up against Australia at this stage of the tournament is “going to be bigger than I imagined”. But the Dutch coach was also focused on what had just come before, rather than what awaits England next. A semi-final against Australia is the dream fixture that will take this enthralling World Cup to another level, but England could not afford to take anything for granted given the way their quarter-final against Colombia unfolded. The manner of England’s victory, though, will only add to their growing confidence when they play the hosts on Wednesday. Wiegman knew the significance of what her players had to overcome; for the first time at the World Cup, the Lionesses trailed. When England came from behind, they had to survive a late spell of Colombia pressure, withstanding the hostile atmosphere that faced them in Sydney. If it was a trial run for what England will be met with against Australia, then the Lionesses showed that the way in which they deal with adversity has become their defining characteristic at this World Cup. "I think the team again showed some resilience and a lot of togetherness,” Wiegman said after the 2-1 win. As England passed another test, their comeback win was built on the collective belief that they could come through it. That spirit has grown throughout the tournament, as England and Wiegman have had to change and adapt their plans to react to each new problem. That England are now only two games away from winning the World Cup will only strengthen that resolve. Wiegman spoke about resilience, but her players have bought into it as well. After the fraught penalty shootout win over Nigeria, there was the pressure of conceding first against Colombia, and the sort of freak opening goal that could have otherwise been the latest sign of a tournament that has never quite gone to plan. “You accept that sometimes things happen that you can’t control, but in your mind you stay controlled,” Wiegman said. The manager was speaking about how her side reacted to going behind, but she also could have easily been talking about England’s whole tournament. “One of the strengths of the team is that we do stay calm,” Wiegman continued. “How do you stick together, how do you execute your plan? We conceded, but you didn’t see any panic.” England reacted by sticking to their approach. As Colombia dropped deeper, Wiegman’s team sped the game up, playing sharp passing football when they could. The goals from Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo were the rewards for their perseverance in continuing to play their way, showing patience in the build-up and finding the passes through the Colombia shape by using Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone. Once ahead, England had to hang on, but it’s a side of their play that now suits them. England owed much of their victory to their late defensive stand, with Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood continuing their excellent performances at the World Cup. It was another illustration of how England have found ways to get through difficult moments. Wiegman’s back three became a back five, and with Bright in the centre dealing with crosses, and Greenwood and Jess Carter so alert to the danger, winning their individual duels, England managed to see the game out. Bright is a defender who almost appears most comfortable when her back is against the wall. The England captain did not play any competitive football before the World Cup but has returned from four months out to be the player that the Lionesses can rely upon when defending the edge of their box. With England’s ideal setup so compromised by injuries, and now the suspension of Lauren James taking away their player of the tournament and creative heart, a resolute defence could win England the World Cup. England now believe in that resilience, and it has become their identity. Of the four teams through to the semi-finals, in England, Australia, Spain and Sweden, the European champions were the only team that needed to come from behind to win. Wiegman naturally disagreed when it was suggested that it could give her side an edge going into the final four, but could not deny that it now plays into England’s strength ahead of the semi-finals. “We’ve had lots of challenges and we’ve got through them,” Wiegman said. “The adversity shows the resilience of the team. We do our best to change situations into our advantage.” England, though, now face a team who will be buying in their own self-fulfilling narrative. Australia have now come through their own nerve-shredding contest in defeating France on penalties, in what was the longest ever shootout at a World Cup finals. With the hosts now gripped by World Cup fever and the TV figures shattering records, in what was the most watched sporting event in Australia since Cathy Freeman’s gold-medal winning run at the 2000 Olympics, the Lionesses now need to overcome a nation who feel that this home World Cup is theirs to win. England will be the away team in Wednesday’s semi-final, but they also defeated Colombia side who may as well have been at home at Stadium Australia. The Lionesses faced a wall of noise as the Colombia fans turned up in their numbers, whistling when England had possession, jeering when they stood over a free-kick. It will be doubled against Australia, as a home crowd of 80,000 stands against the Lionesses. “We look forward to it,” Wiegman replied. After all, it’s another challenge for England to embrace. Read More Who and when do England play next? Lionesses’ route to the World Cup final ahead of semi-final England set up old rivalry on new stage thanks to Alessia Russo magic Georgia Stanway brings fire and ice to show why this England are different Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest news as England set up Australia semi-final How many games will Lauren James miss at Women’s World Cup after red card? Who and when do England play next? Route to the World Cup final
2023-08-13 14:16

Wiegman is the outlier as the Women's World Cup highlights a shortage of female coaches
England head coach Sarina Wiegman is in a unique position at the Women’s World Cup
2023-08-13 13:47

Gordon Ryan's epic birthday wish for Joe Rogan sparks curiosity about his age, fans say 'obviously he's joking'
While the Internet celebrated Joe Rogan's birthday, it was Brazilian jiu-jitsu sensation Gordon Ryan's birthday wish that caught fans' attention
2023-08-13 13:17

'Today' anchors welcome new permanent weekend hire to NBC show after significant lineup changes
Joe Fryer, who has previously appeared on 'Today' as a fill-in host, has been hired as a feature anchor for Saturday broadcasts
2023-08-13 13:17

Mountcastle's hit in the 10th gives Orioles a 1-0 win over Mariners, snaps Seattle's win streak
Ryan Mountcastle’s one-out single in the top of the 10th inning scored Cedric Mullins, and the Baltimore Orioles snapped Seattle’s eight-game win streak with a 1-0 win over the Mariners
2023-08-13 13:17

Lawsuit targets Wisconsin legislative districts resembling Swiss cheese
A common practice in drawing state legislative districts has come under question in Wisconsin, where a lawsuit is seeking to reshape voting districts before the 2024 elections
2023-08-13 13:17

Malaysia’s Anwar Wins Breathing Space as Polls Return Status Quo
Malaysia’s ruling coalition held on to three of six states contested in provincial elections Saturday, providing Prime Minister
2023-08-13 13:16

Alabama riverfront brawl videos spark a cultural moment about race, solidarity and justice
Bystanders who trained their smartphone cameras on an Alabama riverfront dock, as several white boaters pummeled a Black riverboat co-captain, couldn’t have known the footage would elicit a national conversation about racial solidarity
2023-08-13 12:53

Argentines vote in a primary election that will gauge the yearning for change amid economic turmoil
Argentines vote Sunday in a primary election that will act as a bellwether ahead of October general elections and give a hint at how eager citizens are for a change in a country that is suffering one of the world’s worst inflation rates
2023-08-13 12:52

Stetson Bennett gets his first NFL action for the Rams in a 34-17 preseason loss to the Chargers
Stetson Bennett passed for 191 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL action for the Los Angeles Rams in a 34-17 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers
2023-08-13 12:47

Argentina set for primary vote with ruling Peronists fighting for survival
By Nicolás Misculin BUENOS AIRES Argentines head to the polls on Sunday in primary elections, with voters set
2023-08-13 12:29