Mary Earps had promised the best was “yet to come” from England at the World Cup after three limp but dogged performances out of four had earned them a place in this quarter-final. In front of 75,784 overwhelmingly hostile fans, they delivered. It was far from complete, but it was a huge improvement, and the forwards Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo ensured England came from behind to set up a mouthwatering semi-final against the co-hosts Australia on Wednesday.
Stadium Australia was slow to fill, fans staying camped in front of every size and shape of screen available outside the stadium to watch Australia’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over France. It was carnival-like in mood, England fans, Colombia fans and Australians exploding out of the bars and towards the turnstiles the moment Cortnee Vine’s spot-kick struck the back of the net.
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