Sydney
Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time, while England edged Colombia 2-1 to also progress.
The Matildas will play England in a blockbuster in Sydney on Wednesday, while Spain and Sweden face off the day before at Eden Park.
This grouping of four semifinalists guarantees that there will be a first-time World Cup winner crowned this tournament.
The quarterfinal in Brisbane ended goalless after a nerve-jangling 120 minutes couldn’t separate Australia and France. In the later quarterfinal, England ended Colombia’s stellar campaign with a comeback victory to keep their bid of a first title alive.
They deservedly drew first blood late in the first half when Leicy Santos superbly lobbed over goalkeeper Mary Earps. But England immediately hit back when Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez badly fumbled and allowed Lauren Hemp to capitalize for the equalizer.
The Lionesses hit the front in the 63rd minute when a perfect through-ball from Georgia Stanway found Alessia Russo, who fired into the net. Colombia never gave up, but missed late opportunities for an equalizer as England celebrated on the final whistle to set up a mouth-watering clash with Australia. It will be their third straight semifinal appearance. Colombia were the last team from the Americas left in the draw, after the early exits of powerhouses United States, Brazil and Canada.
