Linda Caicedo shot on goal one last time. But after 97 minutes and with the pressure of what was probably the last chance, she pulled away and shortly afterwards sank to the ground, exhausted and disappointed. The 18-year-old almost continued her extraordinary history at this World Cup with Colombia. But in the end it was the favorite who prevailed in front of 75,784 spectators at the Australia Stadium in Sydney: England’s footballers are in a World Cup semi-final for the third time. They meet hosts Australia at the same place on Wednesday (12 p.m., ARD), Spain and Sweden will fight for second place in the final on Tuesday in Auckland (10 a.m., ZDF). None of these nations has yet won the women’s title.
“We’re keeping the dream alive. It was a tough test,” said winning goalscorer Alessia Russo. “The great thing about this team is that we always find ways to improve.” With Colombia, the English had caught the supposedly easiest opponent in the quarterfinals. Of the eight remaining nations, the South Americans were the only outsiders in a tournament from which various favorites had already said goodbye with Canada, Brazil, Germany and, in the round of 16, defending champions USA. With an irrepressible will, fast, athletic players like Mayra Ramirez and Linda Caicedo, who is considered one of the greatest talents the Colombians had made it as far as never before. And defeated the DFB women along the way.
But with the English women they now faced a team that had not performed as confidently at this World Cup as they did when they triumphed at the European Championships last summer, but which gained enormous self-confidence from precisely this success. Coach Sarina Wiegman praised the resilience and team spirit of her players. “We tried to have a plan, to stick to this one and to keep our emotions under control,” said the Dutchwoman. “It’s one of our strengths, we’re staying calm. We’re falling behind, but there’s no panic.” Her team had a double chance in the sixth minute, but Lauren Hemp and Russo’s shots were blocked.
Out of nowhere, Leicy Santos fires an art shot
England were absent from Lauren James, who was suspended for two games after getting on the back of a downed Michelle Alozie in the Round of 16 against Nigeria and being sent off. With three goals and three assists in four World Cup appearances, the 21-year-old had posed the greatest danger so far. They were replaced by Ella Toone in a 3-5-2 system. And even without James, her colleagues ran up tirelessly. The first half of this game took place almost entirely in the opposing half. England came close to taking the lead on several occasions but lacked ideas and the Colombian defense was too tight.
Catalina Perez is still chasing, but she is too late – Lauren Hemp can bring the ball over the line to equalize.
(Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP/Imago)
Out of nowhere, Leicy Santos fired an artful shot in the 44th minute. After a cross from Caicedo, Santos wasn’t really attacked by anyone and before daring to go any further the Atletico Madrid 27-year-old simply fired from the right corner of the box. England keeper Mary Earps stretched as long as she could, but the ball whizzed into the net between her fingertips and the crossbar. And what had already been made clear by the shouts of “Colombia! Colombia!” was now finally noticeable: As at the previous four World Cup appearances, thousands of Colombia fans made such a noise as if this were a home game at the Estadio Deportivo in Cali. “The Colombians tonight were incredible, not only the players but also the fans,” said Russo. “That’s what the World Cup is about.”
However, seven minutes later it was heard that many supporters of the European champions had also come to Sydney. Goalkeeper Catalina Perez – from next season in the Bundesliga at Werder Bremen – was still on the Lionesses’ first shot, but fatally let the ball out of her hands. And as she frantically dived after it, Russo poked the ball under her body. Hemp came in from the left and kicked him over the line to equalize 1-1.
Instead of being unsettled, the Colombians turned up the heat
The Colombians responded after the break: Ramirez took aim from the right side of the box, but just missed the short corner. “I think we need to move up a gear and we can,” Earps said before the game. The 63rd minute showed what that could look like. FC Bayern’s Georgia Stanway fitted in just the right space and Russo beat two opponents to make it 2-1. Perez had no chance and was injured shortly afterwards during an action, she had to be substituted in the 67th minute, substitute goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo came.
Instead of being unsettled by this, the Colombians turned up the heat. Lorena Bedoya almost equalized when Earps just managed to deflect her long-range shot over the goal. Time and time again, the surprise quarter-finalists came close to the English goal, but they didn’t reward themselves. Before this tournament, they had a reputation for being tough, and a friendly against Ireland was abandoned after 20 minutes. But on this evening, as before, they showed that it is also great footballing ability that characterizes this team. That wasn’t enough to cause a sensation against England, but the Colombians were very close.
“This World Cup is incredibly challenging,” said Wiegman. “No result could be predicted. We had very tough games. The level has gone up so it’s really exciting.” In the next game, your team will feel even more like an away game – it’s one, after all. The Australians have recently been carried by the spectators, and that will certainly be the case in the historic semifinals. And the rivalry between the two is great. When Wiegman was asked at the press conference if she was aware How this game will be big, said the Dutchwoman: “It will probably be bigger than I had imagined,” said Wiegman. “I’ll let my players explain what it’s all about.” Australia won their most recent meeting in April 2-0.