Image copyright: Getty Images
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
Quarter-finals
England v Colombia
Stadium Australia
Sydney, Australia
Saturday, 12 August 2023
Kick-off is at 11h30
England will continue their title challenge when they face Colombia in the
2023 Women's World Cup quarter-finals at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Saturday, August 12.
The European champions have been presented with the perfect chance to lift football's most coveted trophy after seeing defending champions USA and Germany both eliminated from the tournament.
Sarina Wiegman's side survived a scare in the round of 16 when they beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties, having gone into extra time with a numerical disadvantage following the 87th-minute dismissal of Lauren James.
The Super Falcons had been denied by the woodwork on two occasions in regulation time as the Lionesses rode their luck to hold on for a goalless draw.
England have conceded just one goal in their opening four matches, which came in the 6-1 mauling of China on August 1 as they finished top of Group D with a 100 per cent record after narrow 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark.
Wiegman praised her players for a resilient performance against Nigeria, having overcome the loss of Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby through injury to book their place in the last eight.
"I'm really proud of the team. We've had many setbacks and this was a big one too. So as soon as it looked like Lauren James was sent off, straightaway we had to reorganise and do something else on the pitch. We didn't need a minute to do so," she said.
"Then the conviction to keep the [clean sheet] and try to get out of [Nigeria's] press, that was just incredible. And of course the players got really tired but we really stuck together and showed a lot of resilience. To be so tired into a penalty shootout and do so well, that's really incredible from the team."
Colombia surprised many by emerging from Group H as winners, although a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the final round of matches halted their perfect record Down Under.
Las Chicas Superpoderosas bounced back though, as they triumphed 1-0 over Jamaica in the last 16 to set up a date with the Lionesses.
The South Americans have already made history by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in what is only their third appearance on the world's biggest stage.
However, their run in Australia and New Zealand comes as no surprise to head coach Nelson Abadia, who is seeing his hard work over the years come to fruition.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Abadia has nurtured Linda Caicedo and Ana Guzman since their youth and the duo are flourishing as part of a process began in 2017.
"Linda, as well as Ana Maria, came into the national [youth] team when they were 12 years old. We've been growing together since they were 12 years old and stimulating their growth into what they are today," he said.
"We started with that process since they were 12 years old, and then at the U-20 World Cup they were 17 years old. So it's been since 2017 that we started this renewal process.
"I've been working with this team for many years now. And when there's a process behind it, there will be a result."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 1
England - 1
Colombia - 0
Draws - 0
2023 Women's World Cup quarter-final fixtures:
Friday, August 11:
02h00: Spain v Netherlands
08h30: Japan v Sweden
Saturday, August 12
08h00: Australia v France
11h30: England v Colombia
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