Women’s World Cup Quarter Final preview: Lionesses to roar into semis once again

After some high drama in the last 16, the Lionesses are through to the quarter final of the Women’s World Cup, where the competition is sure to heat up further.

We look ahead of their game against Colombia as well as giving a quick run down of the other three quarter finals.

Lionesses aim for third straight World Cup semi final

England struggled against a high intensity Nigeria side in the last 16, failing to really threaten their opponents in 120 minutes of play. The dismissal of Lauren James just before the end of normal time made the 30 minutes of extra time a long one for the Lionesses. However, the strength of character that the side clearly possesses was evident for all to see, as Chloe Kelly rifled in the final spot kick to give the Lionesses a 4-2 win on penalties.

If they are to confirm their place as 9/4 tournament favourites, Sarina Wiegman’s side will have to regroup before they face their next challenge, with 2022 Copa America Femenina finalists Colombia standing in their way of a place in the semi finals. So far this World Cup the dominance that the Lionesses displayed in winning the European Championships hasn’t been in evidence, barring their impressive 6-1 defeat of China. At times they have looked uncharacteristically nervous and short of ideas in front of goal, but the spirit of the side remains undimmed.

England have met Colombia once before at the 2015 Women’s World Cup where they emerged as narrow 2-1 victors. They head into this clash secure in the confidence that they are heavy odds-on favourites at 4/9 to make it two wins from two against their South American opponents.

The Lionesses will be without their top scorer this tournament in Lauren James after her red card against Nigeria, but Wiegman still has plenty of attacking options and will be looking to Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly to carry the attacking line. With their attacking options, it’s likely the Lionesses will posses too much firepower for Colombia.

Colombia not to be underestimated

Columbia are a dangerous side, as they proved when they defeated Germany in the group stage and shouldn’t be underestimated despite being major underdogs at 6/1 in their first ever World Cup quarter final. Linda Caicedo and Catalina Usme form the basis of a strong attacking line and will be sure to keep England’s defence busy. A single Catalina Usme goal was enough to see Las Chicas Superpoderosas past Jamaica in the Last 16, and they are 12/1 to secure a similar 1-0 win here.

Other quarter finals

Spain v Netherlands

Spain have been in strong form for much of this World Cup, scoring 17 goals and conceding five in their four games to date, although that did include a humbling 4-0 defeat to Japan. They enter their quarter-final match with the Netherlands as the 5/6 favourites, however their opponents are unbeaten in the competition so far and are tough to breakdown, as they proved when holding USA to a draw in the group stage. The Dutch could prove to be the value at 29/10.

Japan v Sweden

2011 Women’s World Cup winners Japan have looked likely challengers for this tournament from the start, winning all four of their games and conceding only one goal in the process. This looks a tough one to call though, with Sweden having put out reigning champions USA in the last 16. Japan are narrow favourites at 23/20 with Sweden priced at 11/5.

Australia v France

Hosts Australia are still going strong in the competition and have the chance to record their best ever Women’s World Cup finish if they can get past France. They did trip up against a strong Nigeria side in the group stage, but looked good when beating Denmark in the first knockout round. The Matildas are 23/10 to continue their fine run but have a strong French team standing in their way who brushed aside Morocco 4-0 in the last 16. On the back of that, it’s Les Bleues that start as 21/20 favourites.

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