England have answered each problem they’ve confronted on the Women’s World Cup, but it will likely be nothing in contrast to what’s prone to await them within the semi-finals.
Having seen off the tenacity and unpredictable ability of Colombia within the 2-1 quarter-final win, the Lionesses arrange a showdown with co-hosts Australia on Wednesday, two video games away from glory.
England needed to come from behind on Saturday – the primary staff within the knockout phases of this yr’s competitors to win regardless of conceding first – and did so in entrance of a crowd of 75,784 followers, nearly all of whom had been vociferously backing Colombia.
England beat Nigeria in a penalty shootout within the final 16, then handled the primary sport of a two-match suspension for top-scorer Lauren James.
Key midfielder Keira Walsh was additionally dominated out of the ultimate group sport by way of harm, including to a listing of huge names nursing accidents again house.
Manager Sarina Wiegman stated she had “by no means skilled so many issues” after the last-16 tie with Nigeria, but what has emerged is a hardened resilience and a relentless will to win which has carried England by way of to the semi-finals.
Now England face a recent problem in opposition to co-hosts Australia, who’ve gone additional than they’ve earlier than and will probably be spurred on by a passionate house crowd.
The co-hosts of the event have carried the hopes of a nation, embracing the stress and utilizing it to their benefit to see off Olympic champions Canada and European giants France en path to the final 4.
A hostile crowd will await England within the semi-finals and, whereas that is nothing they haven’t confronted earlier than – Colombia definitely didn’t make them really feel welcome in Sydney – the impression of a sold-out house crowd is one thing Wiegman’s aspect know solely too effectively after reaping the profit at Euro 2022.
Australia haven’t solely constructed momentum on the pitch with their agonising dramatic penalty shootout win over France within the quarter-finals, but they’re reworking assist off it.
Free-to-air viewing figures have gone by way of the roof in Australia, its flagship Channel 7 pushed again its 6pm information bulletin on Saturday, and kick-off occasions for different sports activities occasions, together with Aussie guidelines, have been moved to keep away from fixture clashes with the Matildas.
Fan festivals and enormous outside screens have popped up throughout Sydney metropolis centre and now a nation which obsessed in a cricket rivalry with England within the Ashes this summer season are set to embrace the newest battle between the international locations in soccer.
Aside from being the highest-ranked staff England have confronted to this point – they’ve prevented the world’s prime 10 up so far – Tony Gustavsson’s aspect are the one nation to have crushed the Lionesses beneath Wiegman’s administration, ending a 30-match unbeaten run in April.
Matildas famous person Sam Kerr has not performed a full match within the event but as she returns to full health following harm, but she got here on within the fifty fifth minute in opposition to France and scored her penalty within the shootout, having made it by way of additional time unscathed.
She may very well be timing her return to full health simply in time to face England, and Kerr will relish the chance to face two defenders she is aware of higher than most, Chelsea team-mates Millie Bright and Jess Carter.
It is a mouth-watering tie with intriguing challenges on and off the pitch for England, but they will take coronary heart and confidence from what they’ve already overcome.
When England misplaced Walsh in opposition to China, Wiegman tailored and launched a not often seen formation that includes a again three. It led to their greatest efficiency of the event in a 6-1 thrashing, they usually produced an immense defensive show in opposition to Colombia having saved the identical formation.
After James was despatched off in opposition to Nigeria, with England already struggling to get a stranglehold on the sport, the Lionesses dug in to see out additional time and delivered beneath stress within the shootout.
England began effectively in opposition to Colombia within the quarter-finals but went 1-0 down when a surprise strike from Leicy Santos caught out goalkeeper Mary Earps, but the Lionesses’ response was swift and decisive.
Criticism has come England’s approach throughout their time in Australia as their performances have stumbled and underwhelmed but, if they’ve come this far, who’s to argue in opposition to them overcoming one other impediment?
It is the fifth main event in a row that the Lionesses have reached the semi-finals, proving they’re constantly competing for the largest prizes.
As Earps stated previous to victory over Colombia, “the very best is but to come back” from England. It could be extraordinarily useful if England’s greatest arrives in time for his or her newest semi-final.
