England vs Colombia LIVE: Women’s World Cup team news and build-up as Australia face France | OneFootball

“We are not defined by one player” – Bethany England on Lauren James suspension

England face Colombia in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals as the Lionesses continue their knockout campaign in Sydney.

The European champions survived a major scare against Nigeria in the last-16, and know they will need to improve when they take on a dangerous Colombia side, who shocked heavyweights Germany in the group stages.

Sarina Wiegman’s side are without star forward Lauren James, who will be suspended for the quarter-final after the 21-year-old stamped on the back of Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie.

The Lionesses will know who could await them in the semi-finals before facing Colombia, as hosts Australia take on France in Brisbane. There will be a new winner of the Women’s World Cup this year after Sweden knocked out Japan on Friday, setting up a clash with Spain on the other side of the draw.

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Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs Colombia

England striker Bethany England warned it would be more dangerous to underestimate Colombia than worry about their “physical” approach ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final clash at the Women’s World Cup.

Colombia played a part in the biggest shock of the tournament so far in beating Germany as the two-time champions crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages, but the South American side have also earned a reputation for their robust style.

A pre-World Cup friendly against Ireland was abandoned when it became ‘overly physical’ - while Germany complained about the rough treatment they received in the 2-1 defeat.

It’s been a World Cup of surprises so far and the Lionesses survived a major scare against Nigeria in the last-16 as they advanced on penalties, after playing extra time with 10 players following Lauren James’ red card.

And the Tottenham striker said Sarina Wiegman’s side are more concerned about not taking Colombia lightly, while insisting they can also match their fight if the quarter-final does turn physical.

Jamie Braidwood12 August 2023 09:46

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Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs Colombia

Captain Millie Bright insists England have already moved on from learning they would lose Lauren James for at least Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final after the forward was sent off late in the last-16 victory over Nigeria.

The 21-year-old was shown a red after stepping on the back of defender Michelle Alozie, resulting in an automatic one-match ban that could be extended to three games by Fifa’s disciplinary committee, meaning her tournament could be over.

James posted an apology to Alozie on Twitter on Tuesday and also vowed to learn from the incident.

If there is one team-mate who truly appreciates what James is feeling it is Bright, who four years ago in France became the first player in Lionesses history to be sent off in a World Cup knockout encounter when she was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the semi-final against the United States.

“I think it is really important that we look after each other,” Bright said. “I have been through that. I know exactly how that feels.”

Bright, who was sent off at the 2019 World Cup, feels it is important that James “has her space and lets her emotions settle”.

Jamie Braidwood12 August 2023 09:26

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Women’s World Cup: Australia 0-0 France

Chance! Australia start well after the break, and Mary Fowler has a great chance to play in Caitlin Foord as the Matildas come forward.

But Fowler shoots instead, and it is deflected harmlessly wide.

And here comes Sam Kerr!

Jamie Braidwood12 August 2023 09:10

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Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs Colombia

Mary Earps said England have not dwelled on the loss of influential striker Lauren James from their World Cup quarter-final clash with Colombia.

A standout in the group stage, James was shown a red card in the European champions’ shootout victory over Nigeria in the last-16 after a stamp to the back of Michelle Alozie. She was suspended two games after a disciplinary review.

“To be honest with you, it’s not something that we’ve really spoken a lot about, because we’re so focused on the game,” Earps told reporters on Friday. “Naturally, we want everybody to be available at all times. But the situation is what it is.

England coach Sarina Wiegman said they approach the 21-year-old’s absence as they did that of Keira Walsh, who missed a game-and-a-half with a knee injury.

“We have a squad of 23... and now we miss another player,” Wiegman said. “It’s just a team effort, and we support each other and we fill in places that come free.”

Jamie Braidwood12 August 2023 09:06

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Women’s World Cup LIVE: England vs Colombia

Another problem for the Lionesses to fix?

As Sarina Wiegman gathered with her staff in Lang Park, the mood was really one of relief rather than raucous celebration; puffed cheeks instead of pumped fists.

The England manager admitted she felt “10 years older” after Nigeria put her team through it for well over two hours. This unprecedented World Cup may be losing most of the biggest names, but nobody will be able to say the path was easy if the European champions do get to the final here. Quite the opposite, and for reasons greater than the fact Nigeria have clearly been underestimated.

Wiegman actually said it was as “intense” a game as she’s ever faced. One other reason for that, however, is exactly why this tournament has been so arduous as a whole.

Every time the manager solves one problem, it feels like an even bigger one presents itself. There’s always something bigger to fix.

Now, after impressively reshaping the team in the wake of Keira Walsh’s absence, she has to do so again for Lauren James’ red-card suspension.

By Miguel Delaney

Jamie Braidwood12 August 2023 08:46