England vs Colombia – Quarter-Final – Preview & Prediction | 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
THE FACTS
When is England vs Colombia on and what time does it start? England vs Colombia will take place on Saturday 12th August, 2023 – 11:30 (UK)
Where is England vs Colombia taking place? England vs Colombia will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney, England.
Where can I get tickets for England vs Colombia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for England vs Colombia
What channel is England vs Colombia on in the UK? England vs Colombia will be televised live on ITV1
Where can I stream England vs Colombia in the UK? England vs Colombia can be streamed on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ENGLAND
- To say that England were far from their best in the Round of 16 would be an understatement, but they did what champion teams do and found a way to get through, doing so via a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw with Nigeria, the first time the Lionesses have been shut out in the competition.
- It didn’t help that England’s quest to get through was hugely hampered by a red card given to Lauren James for a needless stamp on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie and the 21-year-old, who has recorded three goals and three assists across the tournament so far will be suspended for this game and the semi-final should England make it.
COLOMBIA
- Colombia’s grit, fight, determination and infectious work-rate was handsomely rewarded on Tuesday as they deservedly got the better of Jamaica by a single goal, becoming only the second South American nation in history to reach a Women’s World Cup quarter-final.
- This is the deepest run that Colombia have ever had at the Women’s World Cup and having already defeated one big-name European nation in Germany during the group stage, they’ll have no fear when it comes to facing the side who beat the Germans to become the 2022 European champions.
THE TEAM NEWS
ENGLAND
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Earps; Carter, Bright, Greenwood; Bronze, Stanway, Toone, Zelem, Daly; Russo, Hemp
UNAVAILABLE: James (Suspended), Kirby (Injured), Mead (Injured), Williamson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Walsh (Fitness)
COLOMBIA
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Perez; C. Arias, Carabali, D. Arias, Vanegas; Ospina, Bedoya; Ramirez, Santos, Caicedo; Usme
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE KEY STATS
- This is only the second meeting between these two nations after England’s 2-1 victory against Colombia in the group stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.
- England have won nine and drawn one of their last 12 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (W9 D1 L2).
- England have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten FIFA Women's World Cup matches.
- In the round of 16, England won a penalty shoot-out in the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time. Their only previous shoot-out was a 4-3 defeat against France in the 2011 quarter-finals.
- England have never failed to score in successive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
- Colombia have won two and lost two of their previous four FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European teams (W2 L2). Their most recent such fixture was their 2-1 victory against Germany in the group stage.
- Colombia have won three of their previous four matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 (W3 L1).
- Colombia have kept two clean sheets at the 2023 finals and have conceded only two goals in four matches on their way to reaching the last eight.
- Against Jamaica, Colombia's Diana Ospina (34 years and 158 days) became the second oldest South American player to make an appearance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout rounds after Brazil’s Formiga who was aged 41 years and 112 days in 2019.
THE PREDICTION
You could fairly argue that only against China in their final group game have England really put together a really strong performance over the course of the tournament. But that ultimately stands for nothing now, all that matters is getting through and Sarina Wiegman’s side always seem to find a way. They’ll be pushed hard here by Colombia, who may look to turn this into somewhat of a battle, making the England players comfortable through their aggression and pressure. The Lionesses though, have the ball-playing ability to cope with such a challenge and it’s hard to see them being shut out for a second consecutive fixtures. Whilst this is unlikely to be a high-scoring contest, England should once again, just do enough to move on.
TIP: ENGLAND TO QUALIFY