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The Lionesses reached the knockouts with 3 wins in 3. However, they were lucky in 2 of those and even luckier in the round of 16. The 2022 European Champions needed penalties to overcome Nigeria, with a lot of luck needed just to get to the shootout. Still, the Lionesses remain alive and hungry to go deeper. With the England women vs Colombia clash fast approaching we give you the latest team news, as well as our predictions for England women vs Colombia lineups.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, August 12th. It will be played at the Australia Stadium in Sydney, Australia. The kick-off time is 11:30 am GMT.
England predicted lineup: Can James-less Lionesses find a new Queen?
The Lionesses became one of only three teams to win all of their group-stage matches. They were sluggish in the first two of those. Got lucky to edge both Haiti and Denmark 1-0. The best display so far was undoubtedly in the 6-1 trashing of China. The James-led rout that finally displayed the true capabilities of the English women when they find their flow.
England boss Sarina Wiegman shifted from a 4-3-3 shape to 3-4-3 for the last game of the group. This worked a treat and the Lionesses used the same formation in the round of 16 vs Nigeria. However, the display in the first knockout test was poor and England got lucky. They reached the penalty shootout after goalless 120 minutes, with Nigeria hitting the woodwork twice and England’s big star this tournament James shown a red card at the end of regulation time. Still, with luck helping in the shootout too England prevailed.
The atmosphere in the Lionesses den, for this tournament is the 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Gold Coast, is positive despite the selection troubles:
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 24, 2023
Team news
The team’s main ball handler and key playmaker Keira Walsh was taken off injured during the second match and she sat out the win vs China. The Barcelona midfielder also limped off midway through the last game vs Nigeria. She is obviously not 100% fit but the news coming from the English camp are that she will be given an injection and asked to play again.
One player that will be very hard to replace is the suspended Lauren James. She’s having an amazing debut at World Cups and has been directly involved in 6 of England’s 8 goals so far – 3 goals and 3 assists.
Her absence is a huge blow for an already stagnating front line. It seems it will be a toss between Kelly and Toone for a starting role instead of James.
England Predicted Lineups (3-4-3):
Earps – Carter, Bright, Greenwood – Bronze, Walsh, Stanway, Daly – Toone, Russo, Hemp
Colombia predicted lineup: How aggressive Les Chicas can be?
Colombia have been one of the best stories of the World Cup so far and Les Chicas are about to play their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal. Their 2-1 win vs the number 2 ranked team Germany in the group showed the world that Colombia must be taken seriously.
In the round of 16 Colombia became the only team to breach Jamaica’s ruthless defence and Usme’s goal proved enough for the 1-0 win.
Known for their physicality the Colombians don’t shy away from a battle and they are exploiting their ability to play tough football very well so far.
Famously, just before the tournament began Ireland withdrew after just 20 minutes in a friendly vs Colombia because Les Chicas were way too aggressive in their tackles. Are the Colombians preparing a similar treatment for the Lionesses?
Team news
Colombia are happy to welcome back their main left-back Vanegas from a ban. She should start again, in what is likely to be the only change to the lineup. Up front, both Caicedo and Usme have scored 2 goals each so far.
Colombia Predicted Lineups (4-3-3):
Perez – C. Arias, Carabali, D. Arias, Vanegas – Santos, Ospina, Bedoya – Ramirez, Caicedo, Usme
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