Summary

  • England beat Colombia to reach Women's World Cup semi-finals

  • Russo and Hemp score as Lionesses come from behind to win

  • England will face co-hosts Australia in last four on Wednesday (11:00 BST)

  1. Goodbye!published at 14:30 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    Well, that's all from us.

    England are into a World Cup semi-final for a third consecutive time. They will be considered favourites in Australia now but will have to overcome the hosts to reach the final for the first time in their history.

    Have a read of Emma Sanders' report from Stadium Australia here and give the highlights a watch below.

    We'll be back on Tuesday for Spain's semi-final against Sweden.

    Until then, keep up with all the latest news from the Women's World Cup here.

    See you soon!

  2. Hemp your player of the matchpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    FT: England 2-1 ColombiaImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City forward Hemp was the top choice for BBC Sport readers, with a rating of 7.01, having netted England's equaliser at the end of the first half.

    Arsenal striker Alessia Russo was rated second highest at 6.87, scoring the Lionesses' winner to send them to a third successive World Cup semi-final.

    Defenders Alex Greenwood and Millie Bright were also highly rated, finishing on 6.74 and 6.55 respectively.

    Teenager Linda Caicedo was Colombia's highest ranked player with a score of 6.35.

    Check out each player's rating, chosen by you, right here.

  3. 'Felt like an away game'published at 14:25 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    England

    More from England boss Sarina Wiegman:

    "Of course that is huge [to face Australia], but this was too. This felt like an away game but you just concentrate on the game.

    "It is fantastic that we can be part of it, that we are through to the semi final, and that we stay to the end of the tournament. We get a little rest and then we prepare for Australia."

    On Russo and Hemp: "They worked so hard for the team, they were everywhere. To play forward, I thought in the beginning we had to keep it better but they were really challenging their defence all the time."

  4. BBC to show semi-finals and finalpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    BBC One

    England's Women's World Cup semi-final against Australia on Wednesday (11:00 BST) will be shown live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

    BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will have radio commentary as the Lionesses hope to reach their first World Cup final.

    Tuesday's semi-final between Spain and Sweden will also be shown live on BBC One, as will the final on 20 August.

    The BBC Sport website and app will have live-text updates of all three matches.

  5. 'If we play at our best, we are unstoppable'published at 14:20 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    England

    England forward Lauren Hemp speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was really important to go in half-time level. It was a scrappy goal but we take any that we can. You've always got to be alert in the box, especially as a number nine. It was a proper striker's finish.

    "We came out in the second half and were really relentless and Alessia [Russo's] strike was a great goal which was really important for us. I had full faith in Alessia, she does that every week in the WSL [Women's Super League] and obviously she's bringing it to the world stage now which is unbelievable to see."

    "As a group we showed the team that we wanted to today and hopefully in a few days we'll do that against Australia.

    On playing Australia: "We're all so excited. As a group we thrived off the amount of Colombian fans.

    "It just makes it so much more exciting so for me I can't wait to get going against Australia. It's going to be a packed out stadium with so many Australian fans but we know if we play at our best, we are unstoppable so hopefully we'll be able to bring that."

  6. 'We're keeping the dream alive' - Russopublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    Anna Thompson
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia in Sydney

    Alessia Russo was awarded the Player of the Match after scoring England's winner and has been speaking in a news conference about how she was "buzzing for the win and the goal".

    She said England were "never panicked" after conceding the first goal as they knew Colombia could be ruthless if given an opportunity.

    And her thoughts on facing Australia in the semi-final? "It’s another test but it's exciting to face the hosts. We're keeping the dream alive."

    Alessia Russo with her Player of the Match awardImage source, BBC Sport
  7. 'We could have won it earlier'published at 14:11 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    England

    England manager Sarina Wiegman: "A very tough challenge but we didn't expect anything else. We showed resilience, in the first half we played very good. In moments we were sloppy on the ball and they were really dangerous on the counter.

    "We conceded but we came back. I actually thought their keeper had the ball for our goal.

    "Second half we pushed, we found a way to keep that score and win the final duals. I just hoped we would have finished the game off sooner because we could have.

    "We know they are dangerous but again I am so proud of the team, we find a way to score to win the duels. If we had kept the ball a bit better, we could have won it a little earlier."

  8. Postpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    The reaction back home...

    England fans celebrateImage source, Getty Images
    England fans celebrateImage source, Getty Images
    England fans reactImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'Controlled the game'published at 14:05 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    England

    England defender Alex Greenwood:

    "Tonight is about reflecting on this performance, taking lots of positives and getting ready for the semi-final.

    "The game was to play our game, we have two strong right-sided players in Lucy [Bronze] and Jess [Carter] who did well against [Linda] Caicedo, and we controlled large parts of the game tonight.

    "We were warming up as they were taking the shoot out in Brisbane so we were focussed on this game."

  10. 'Bring on Australia'published at 14:03 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    England

    England forward Lauren Hemp speaking to ITV:

    "What an amazing feeling. I'm knackered, most of the team are but we put in a great performance.

    "You saw the resilience of the team. We controlled most of the game. They had a few counters and we knew what they would bring. The team were really special today.

    "We've changed formation a bit in recent games. As a group we're really adaptable. This squad is special and we have so many characters.

    "I feel really free when I'm on the pitch. I love playing wing, don't get me wrong, but I can go down the left or the right.

    "The first goal was scrappy, I didn't expect the ball to come out to me. The link up with Alessia [Russo] is so strong and when she can finish like that.

    "We are all feeling really confident, Australia, bring it on. I'm absolutely over the moon, I can't wait.

    "The atmosphere here was incredible, it's going to be incredible again. That's when you thrive, I feel like we will thrive once again."

  11. Postpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    But England fought back and then held on...

  12. Postpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    We'll bring you more reaction from Sydney as and when we have it. But for now let's have a look back on the goals.

    It was a dream start for Colombia...

  13. Postpublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    I know everyone's probably happy and buzzing from that win that has put England in the semi-finals, their third in as many tournaments having reached them in 2015 and 2019.

    But a reminder that Australia are the only team to have defeated England under Sarina Wiegman.

    Sorry.

  14. England's knockout stage pathpublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    The Lionesses are now just two games away from winning the Women's World Cup - although Australia, Sweden or Spain will have something to say about that.

    A graphic showing England's route to the final which can also be found on our Groups and Schedules page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/womens-world-cup/scheduleImage source, BBC Sport
  15. Postpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    Karen Carney
    Former England midfielder on ITV1

    Top performance from Alessia Russo today. She was vital for England pressing from the front. Her hold-up play was phenomenal, she links up well.

    But as a centre-forward you're judged on your goals. She got us through to a semi-final.

    To take that weighted number nine shirt from Ellen White, she did so well.

  16. get involved

    'You want to play against the best teams'published at 13:46 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    England

    England forward Alessia Russo: "We're just so happy to get three points and be in the semis.

    "We have had to dig deep from the first game. Colombia have so many players who can cause you so much trouble but the backline was impressive for us.

    On what Sarina Wiegman said in the huddle: "Sarina said that she was proud. Lots to work on and we get rested and go again."

    On facing Australia next: "It's exciting, what more do you want in front of a home crowd? We got a bit of that tonight against Colombia. You want to play against the best teams. "

    On whether England fans can dare to dream: "England fans can always dare to dream, but we'll carry on working hard."

  17. England's 'patience' pays offpublished at 13:44 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    Eniola Aluko
    Former England forward on ITV1

    It was just professional, machine-like and prepared. They knew Colombia would be frustrating, so be patient and silence the crowd.

    It’s when you get the moments like Russo did, make sure you finish. She has had to be patient, she did a lot of the dirty work, and as a striker you have to be patient and take your moment.

  18. Daly needs medical attentionpublished at 13:42 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    Anna Thompson
    BBC Sport at Stadium Australia in Sydney

    While England celebrated Rachel Daly was on the floor and looked in a bit of pain. The medical staff saw to her and she has tentatively got up and joined the rest of the squad for a huddle. One to keep an eye on for the semi-final.

  19. Semi-finals setpublished at 13:42 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    Here we go, your World Cup semi-finals...

    Spain v Sweden

    Australia v England

    England will take on co-hosts Australia on Wednesday at 11:00 BST. Spain face Sweden in the first semi-final on Tuesday at 09:00 BST.

    You can watch both of those on the BBC then it'll be onto the final.

  20. 'New England mentality to win games'published at 13:38 British Summer Time 12 August 2023

    FT: England 2-1 Colombia

    Izzy Christiansen
    Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I can't believe it, this is incredible stuff.

    England finding a new mentality of how they can win games.

    They've done it again, they found ways to win.

    England are efficient, effective, ruthless, pragmatic.

    Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo, Alex Greenwood in particular. Absolutely outstanding.