Wiegman led the Lionesses to victory in the European Championship last year, having won that competition with Netherlands in 2017.
With many of the favourites, including the US, Germany, France and Japan, already eliminated, England will be increasingly confident that they can win their first Women’s World Cup.
They showed character to come back from Santos’ goal in the 44th minute in Sydney, as well as cope with a partisan crowd that was hugely in favour of Colombia.
Then there was the physical approach of their opponents, who weighed in with several heavy challenges. Rachel Daly was sent to the ground after one particularly strong tackle in the first half and Alex Greenwood was caught in the face by Mayra Ramirez’ trailing arm.
Yet it was Colombia that suffered an early blow when Carolina Arias injured her left knee and had to be substituted. Later in the half she was seen sobbing on the bench after receiving treatment.
England created the clearer chances with Russo and Daly forcing saves from goalkeeper Catalina Perez. The game burst into life as it neared halftime, with the crowd going wild when Santos gave Colombia an unexpected lead.
Taking the ball on the right of the box, she shaped to cross, but her effort instead flew directly toward goal, catching out England keeper Mary Earps and dipping under the bar.
It sparked an eruption of noise, while Colombia’s substitutes ran to join in the celebrations with Santos and the rest of the players.
If going behind for the first time in the tournament came as a shock to England, it didn’t show.
In response, the Lionesses produced their most composed play as they controlled possession and probed Colombia’s half.
They evened the score after a mistake from Perez in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time.
The keeper should have easily gathered the ball when Russo mis-controlled in the box, but let it slip out of her grasp and Hemp poked it over the line.
Russo’s winner came after England had dominated the second half without managing to open up Colombia’s defence.
Georgia Stanway collected the ball around 40 metres from goal and slipped a pass to the striker, who held off a challenge from Daniela Arias before firing low into the far corner from a tight angle.
Colombia had made history by securing a place in the last eight for the first time and were the last remaining team from the Americas in the tournament.
But they couldn’t find an equaliser, with Lorena Bedoya Durango’s long-range effort the closest it came to sending the game into extra time.
England will play Australia in Sydney on Wednesday.
- AP
