England confirmed they’ve realized from their previous errors of their victory towards Colombia. Right here, Sky Sports activities appears on the speaking factors from Saturday’s quarter-final…
England stay calm within the face of chaos
When Leicy Santos’ shot curled into the highest nook, brushing over Mary Earps’ outstretched fingers, a collective groan of dread was heard in homes throughout the nation.
Colombia had struck first – and worse. They have been working in a low block they knew would hold their opponents toiling away additional and farther from the field.
However, provided that this method had beforehand troubled England, the response was surprisingly promising.
Sarina Wiegman’s facet tailored rapidly and effectively. They knew they have been discovering pleasure on the flanks, all they needed to do was watch for an opportunity to return their method, and ultimately, it did.
Catalina Perez spilled the ball within the goalmouth, and Lauren Hemp wanted no second invitation to interrupt the impasse.
Hemp instructed ITV Sport after the sport: “I am actually having fun with it [her new role]. I really feel actually free once I’m on the pitch. I really like enjoying on the wing, do not get me incorrect, however I really feel like I can go down the left or proper each time I would like and the connection I’ve obtained with Alessia is actually sturdy in the mean time.
“The primary one was a bit scrappy and I did not anticipate the ball to return into my path, however I really feel just like the connection we have is so sturdy. Much less can rating like she did and it is unbelievable to play with.
“I really feel like I am nonetheless just a little method off. I am at all times striving to be the perfect model of myself, however I really feel like, as a gaggle, we’re in a robust place in the mean time, feeling assured. Convey on Australia in a couple of days’ time.”
Not like within the slim victory over Nigeria, England’s persistence had been very important to the trigger.
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Lauren Hemp equalised for England late within the first half
They have been cautious to not stay overexposed when any defender within the backline made ahead forays, and deftly weaved their solution to the opposition field.
Alessia Russo profited off a kind of focused strikes to attain within the second half to make sure her facet remained in management.
Lionesses realized from their errors
A lot went incorrect towards Nigeria. However a part of that was right down to Randy Waldrum’s shrewd choice to funnel his workforce’s attacking play down England’s flanks.
The change labored wonders. Nigeria dominated England on both facet of the pitch, and it could have secured their passage to the quarter-finals on one other day.
This time round, Wiegman ensured her workforce didn’t fall into the identical lure. She caught with the 3-5-2 form, however paid particular consideration to Colombia’s playmakers Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez.
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Alessia Russo celebrates her objective at Stadium Australia
Each gamers obtained a double dose of defenders and have been didn’t fairly functioning as their standard, potent selves.
In midfield, Georgia Stanway and Hemp took on the low block and battled their method by elbows and knees – a lot in order that it’s a marvel how nobody was booked throughout the recreation in Sydney.
Colombia had no alternative however to resort to the darkish arts. Quickly after approaching, 19-year-old right-back Ana Maria Guzman took out each Hemp and Daly with some actual pressure. Nonetheless, the referee appeared nonplussed by the free-kick calls.
Nevertheless it was particularly calming to see that England knew reply and weren’t simply flailing round for a change in the dead of night.
Colombia stored England on their toes
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Colombia’s Leicy Santos scored an excellent opening objective for Colombia
Waldrum smiled ruefully when he admitted that Nigeria had ‘laid out a blueprint’ on disrupt England for different groups within the World Cup.
“I am certain different groups will watch and suppose, ‘this offers us an concept of the way in which we have to play them’,” he identified.
Colombia listened – and virtually used his findings to steer a profitable tirade towards the Lionesses.
They knew that, because the Nigeria boss had uncovered, in the event that they stored possession away from central areas, their opponents could be unable to play the slick soccer they have been recognised for.
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Mary Earps was overwhelmed for under the second time on Saturday
Retaining the ball on the flanks had an additional benefit – it ensured a number of one-on-ones between Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, and the menacing Caicedo.
Within the forty fourth minute, that culminated in a cross to Santos, who unleashed a chic end that Earps couldn’t get her fingertips to.
After England went forward too, Colombia pushed for an equaliser within the remaining half an hour. Each Caicedo and Ramirez fired extensive in added time, the ticking clock offering a necessity for pace quite than accuracy.
It was a disappointing finish for a workforce that has captured the imaginations of many at this World Cup. Whereas particular person errors finally value them, Colombia have certainly cemented their spot as contenders on the world stage.
What’s subsequent?
England will play Australia within the semi-finals of the Ladies’s World Cup. The sport will likely be performed on Wednesday August 16 with kick-off at 11am.
What’s the schedule?
The spherical of 16 concluded on Tuesday forward of the quarter-finals, which will likely be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, between August 11 and 12.
The primary semi-final will then be performed on August 15 in Auckland, with the opposite semi-final going down on August 16 on the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which can then host the ultimate on August 20.
A 3rd-place play-off will likely be performed the day earlier than the ultimate on August 19 in Brisbane.