England vs Colombia

England are on the cusp of reaching a third successive Women’s World Cup semi-final, but they must first beat a Colombia side that has been one of the tournament’s surprise packages.

12 months on from winning Euro 2022, the Lionesses are having a very different experience in Australia. Laboured performances against Haiti and Denmark in the group stage were followed by a demolition of China, before being outplayed by Nigeria in the last 16 but somehow sneaking through.

England certainly have tournament knowhow under their belt and, right now, it is carrying them.

Colombia have already surpassed their previous best at a World Cup tournament just by being in the last eight. They have improved each time they have competed on this stage, going out in the group stage on their 2011 debut and reaching the last 16 in 2015.

Their win against Germany in the group stage, including an incredible goal from teenage superstar Linda Caicedo, automatically makes them a potential danger.

“I remember the 2015 World Cup when we played Colombia, their fans were so bloody loud,” Fara Williams told 90min before this year’s tournament began.

The pair met in the group stage eight years ago, a game that the Lioneses won 2-1 thanks to goals from Williams herself and Karen Carney. Colombia pulled one back from the spot right at the end. Both teams progressed to the knockout stages along with France in the old tournament format.

That game in Montreal is the only time England have faced Colombia until now.

READ THE LATEST 2023 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & PLAYER RATINGS

Lauren James is suspended for this tie following her red card against Nigeria. FIFA have deemed her offence worthy of a two-match ban, so the only way she will return in this World Cup is if England win here, meaning a guaranteed further game in either the final or third/fourth place playoff.

Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone are contenders to come into the team in place of the Chelsea star, while Sarina Wiegman also has a decision to make over the formation her team sets up in.

On her return from injury, Keira Walsh limped out of the Nigeria game at the end of extra-time, but that was later played down as an episode of cramp and no more.

England predicted lineup vs Colombia (3-5-2): Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Daly; Russo, Hemp

Impressive left-back Manuela Vanegas is eligible to return after serving a yellow card suspension during her team’s win over Jamaica in the last 16. She had been replaced by Ana Maria Guzman.

England have had to deal with setback after setback but are still, just about, finding ways to win and progress through the rounds. The message out of the camp remains that results are the most important thing and the idea that the Lionesses are winning without playing well suggests there is a lot to come out when they consistently get it right.

Without James, there will undoubtedly have to be a different focus, but Wiegman should have sufficient quality players to paper over the cracks at least in the short-term.

Colombia might feel more comfortable back in the role of underdogs. It is telling that they beat Germany, yet subsequently lost to an inferior Morocco team. They also didn’t quite seem to know how to approach the Jamaica game against an opponent happy to sit back and absorb pressure. This time, the onus won’t be on them to take the game to England, so counter attacking will be key.

On paper, this is the most favourable quarter-final tie that England could have asked for from the remaining teams. But they have already learned on multiple occasions this summer that there are no longer any easy rides in the Women’s World Cup.

Prediction: England 2-1 Colombia

WATCH FARA WILLIAMS PICK HER ALL-TIME LIONESSES XI

Girls On The Ball are joined by England legend Fara Williams as she runs through an all-time Lionesses XI of her former international teammates!