Arsenal star fires England into World Cup semifinal

Arsenal forward Alessia Russo scored the winner as England edged past Colombia in their 2023 Women’s World Cup quarterfinal to set up a spectacular semifinal clash against co-hosts Australia. 

Russo gave England the lead to complete a fightback after Lauren Hemp equalised for the Lionesses following Leicy Santos’ opener for Colombia. 

England reached the quarterfinal against Colombia after dispatching Nigeria’s Super Falcons, but could not count on the services of Chelsea forward Lauren James, who remains suspended after receiving a straight red card for violent conduct. 

Colombia were 1-0 winners over fellow knockout surprise package Jamaica in the round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals.

The final quarterfinal of the World Cup was characterised by goalkeeping errors as both teams suffered mishaps in between the sticks for the opening goals. 

England’s Mary Earps was the first to suffer an embarrassing moment after misjudging a floated cross from Santos only to watch the ball end up in the back of the net to give Colombia a lead late in the first half. 

The Lionesses were determined not to go into the break behind and found an equaliser when Colombia’s goalkeeper Catalina Perez parried a shot into the path of Hemp, who scored arguably the easiest goal of the World Cup so far to put England back on level terms in the 6th minute of first half additional time. 

After a shaky start to the first half, England began the second period with a more commanding performance and took the lead for the first time in the match three minutes after the hour mark when Russo fired the Lionesses ahead from an acute angle. 

The South Americans fought tooth and nail after the equaliser to find an equaliser, but thanks to some poor finishing, they were unable to stop England from reaching a second consecutive World Cup semifinal.