12 August 2023 , 20:39
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The Lionesses have roared to within 90 minutes of the World Cup final and are confident of winning the tournament.
Thousands of England supporters in Stadium Australia were overjoyed as first Lauren Hemp equalised, and then Alessia Russo hit the winner. Back home, fans packed pubs and bars to cheer on England’s 2-1 quarterfinal defeat of Colombia. And the side are sure they can beat hosts Australia in Wednesday’s semi, on at 11am in the UK. H
Hemp, 23, said: “It’s going to be a packed out stadium with so many Australian fans. But we know that if we play at our best, we are unstoppable.” The near 76,000 crowd was made up of 40,000 brightly dressed Colombia fans, who turned the Sydney stadium into a sea of yellow.
England fans jump for joy at Boxpark, Croydon (Getty Images)Their 44th-minute goal, an audacious chip by winger Leicy Santos, had them jumping for joy. But Sarina Wiegman’s European champions swiftly hit back with an equaliser from Hemp before half-time, then the match-winning right footshot from Russo on 63 minutes.
Russo, 24, had been inspired by a good luck message from Three Lions legend David Beckham before the crucial match. And the Prince and Princess of Wales were quick to congratulate England, with the message: “Bring on the semi-finals. A hard fought win, well done Lionesses”.
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Lauren Hemp is congratulated by Ian Wright at full time (James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock)
Beth England and Jessie Carter salute the crowd in Sydney (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)At the game was Alan James, 49, originally from Colchester, Essex, and his wife Liz, 46, who hails from Co Offaly, Ireland. Alan, who now lives in Sydney, said: “It has been amazing. I’ve supported the Aussies all the way but that goes out of the window as soon as they play England. “We have two daughters who support Australia, so it is going to be quite a week.” Liz added: “This World Cup has done so much for the women’s game.”
Alessia Russo celebrates with teammates Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone after scoring (The FA via Getty Images)Ex-pat Scott Luckett, who is originally from Reading, Berks, joked that he had a “prenup agreement” with his Aussie wife Amanda, 52, that says he “could never support Australia”. He said: “The whole event has been really well supported. I am really hoping for an England final.”
His daughter Jasmine, 15, said: “I may be living in Australia but I am supporting England all the way.” And Megan Glyn, 28, from Harrow, North West London, had “goosebumps” seeing the 5,300 England fans who had travelled 10,000 miles to cheer on their team.
England manager Wiegman looked emotional at the final whistle and said: “I am proud of how they found a way to win. “It’ll be huge to face Australia, but this felt like an away game. It is fantastic to be part of it. “It’s going to be big – probably bigger than I thought.”
England will now play Australia in the semi-finals (Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)It is the third time on the trot that the Lionesses have reached the World Cup semifinals. England captain Millie Bright described it as a “massive achievement”. She added: “That is what you want, as players… sold out stadiums, you want it to be tense, you thrive off that adrenalin. You want people back home to see it on TV and think, ‘That looks incredible’.