Woki bemoans France discipline in slender Uruguay win
France lock Cameron Woki said on Thursday his side's poor discipline was "unacceptable" during the unconvincing 27-12 win over Uruguay...
2023-09-15 05:59
England respond to new World Cup adversity to reach semi-finals
Georgia Stanway stood on her own, isolated in a pocket of space. With her hands in the air, she saw the move before it unfolded. England had been searching for the gaps against Colombia, but going behind only sharpened their focus. After the explosion of Colombia’s goal, England could have lost their heads, but Stanway found hers and then the space. One thumping finish from Alessia Russo later and England were heading towards the semi-finals of the World Cup. Arguably, no one deserves this semi-final more than the Bayern Munich midfielder. Stanway had to be disciplined when Keira Walsh was injured, constrained when Lauren James was given the keys to England’s creative output. With James suspended, Stanway was released. With the bite in midfield to combat Colombia’s physicality, then the cool to pick holes in their defensive shape. Having to play through four games on a yellow card has meanwhile forced Stanway to do it all on a knife-edge, controlling the aggression when one wrong moment would have taken her semi-final away. The Lionesses also had to earn it, in a difficult contest that passed by in waves of England control and frantic Colombia pressure. The atmosphere fed into it: Colombia turned up in their numbers, dominating the 75,000 capacity stadium and its soundtrack; hostile when England had possession, electric when Colombia flew forward, the noise rising further when Linda Caicedo drove them on. England faced the battle they had been expecting. Then Colombia scored and a tournament that has been defined by obstacles was presented with a new one, as England trailed for the first time in the World Cup. But Stanway epitomised how England responded and took to their task. It was a different type of resilience to what England showed at the end, continuing to show, on the ball and off it. She showed her intelligence, baiting Colombia players in and waiting a moment, before releasing it. As a whole, there wasn’t a panic. Lauren Hemp’s equaliser was scrappy, arriving in a mess in the penalty box, but it had been coming. If anything, going behind sharpened England. England’s plan was clear enough: they had their control and build-up, neat passages of play as they found the gaps in Colombia’s shape, threading passes through for Stanway and Ella Toone to turn. England were sharper than against Nigeria, even if the final ball was missing. With James’ two-match ban forcing another rethink for Wiegman, the England manager combined something new with something old. The midfield three returned, with Stanway and Toone deployed as twin-eights in front of England’s back five. But Colombia reached the quarter-finals by ensuring those spells do not last for long. Between England’s passing moves, Colombia rattled them and threatened with their quality, thriving off the match being in a scrappy and disrupted state. The South Americans broke England’s passing up and tore whatever momentum they were building down, a series of fouls to pause England’s flow. Then there were the challenges: Ana Guzman barging into Hemp, then leaving an arm on Rachel Daly, Santos pulling Stanway back by the arm. And in those spells England were sloppy, five-yard passes hit straight out of play, allowing themselves to take the safe or easy option, turning down the chance to turn. When Santos’ cross drifted over the head of Mary Earps, England were faced with the worst. The response was crucial. In the six minutes of added time at the end of the first half, England stuck to how they had set up to play. The way Colombia were positioned allowed England to have those gaps in midfield and there was always a player to find. England had to be patient, to move it quickly enough and have the confidence to do more when they could turn. Hemp everywhere across the frontline, taking pressure off England with bursts downfield, Russo struggling to hold the ball up, but producing the devastating finish when it counted. England dropped deep, perhaps too early, but they did so safe in the knowledge that they had Millie Bright in this form. Bright was faultless as England defended their box, alongside the exceptional Alex Greenwood. This wasn’t perfect but this tournament has been about finding a way through. England are enjoying it, while Stanway just offers them that bit more. Read More England set up old rivalry on new stage thanks to Alessia Russo magic How many games will Lauren James miss at Women’s World Cup after red card? Who and when do England play next? Lionesses’ route to the World Cup final ahead of semi-final
2023-08-12 22:18
Who is Amand Duplantis dating? World pole vault record-holder gears up to compete for World Athletics Championships 2023
The athlete called his 19-year-old girlfriend Desiré Inglander 'a very beautiful and cool person'
2023-08-07 18:54
Joey Votto reveals hilarious reason for his home run trot celebration
Here's why Reds slugger Joey Votto snubbed the team's third base coach during his home run trot on Monday.Professional baseball players have feelings, too. That's what Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto wanted to get across in a post-game interview on his first game back from injury...
2023-06-21 03:25
Charleston springs 100m surprise, Richardson triumphs in women's 100m
Cravont Charleston surged past 2019 world champion Christian Coleman to win the men's 100m at the US athletics championships on Friday as Sha'Carri Richardson won the women's 100m to book...
2023-07-08 13:18
Aaron Rodgers found a new friend to replace hole in his heart for Davante Adams
Aaron Rodgers is still adjusting to life without Davante Adams. Thankfully, he's finding room in his heart for new friends with the New York Jets.The New York Jets made the splashiest move of the offseason, acquiring 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. Next season will mar...
2023-07-22 05:54
Newcastle star Trippier explains exchange with fan after defeat to Bournemouth
Kieran Trippier insisted “there’s no need to panic” as he addressed his exchange with a Newcastle United fan at the end of their defeat to Bournemouth. The England defender was heard shouting: “Are the lads not giving everything? How many injuries have we got?” when confronted by a supporter after the 2-0 defeat. “Fans are emotional, of course they are, they’ve travelled a long way and they all spend a lot of money to come and watch us,” Trippier explained. “I was just having a chat with one of them. Saying that we are giving everything, there’s no need to panic.”
2023-11-12 23:59
Braves finally receive an All-Star Game, but fans are still mad at Rob Manfred
The Atlanta Braves had the All-Star Game stripped of them in 2021, but will now receive a second chance to host in 2025.
2023-11-17 04:52
Espinoza propels Earthquakes to 2-0 victory over Sounders
Cristian Espinoza scored on a first-half penalty kick and assisted on a second-half goal by Miguel Trauco to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders
2023-07-13 13:51
'Lame as hell!' Jokic Bros slammed for heckling Jack Nicholson after Nuggets beat Lakers in Game 3
'They trash talking a 90 year old man that won’t remember the Lakers even played when he gets home, hope they feel accomplished,' a user wrote
2023-05-22 16:15
Taiwan's Pan grabs Canadian Open lead as McIlroy, Rose charge
Taiwan's Pan Cheng-tsung opened and closed with back-to-back birdies to grab a two-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the...
2023-06-11 09:18
Eduardo Camavinga signs new long-term contract at Real Madrid
Real Madrid have announced that Eduardo Camavinga has signed a new contract with the club running until 2029.
2023-11-07 21:53
You Might Like...
Encarnacion-Strand homers in 9th as Cincinnati Reds beat Toronto Blue Jays 1-0
England women's World Cup winner Hartley to retire from cricket
Alabama QB battle starting to come into focus
Arundell's five tries put England on verge of Rugby World Cup quarters
Today at the World Cup: Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand play in opening games
Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton must build stronger squad for European challenge
5 Yankees not named Aaron Boone who shouldn't be on the roster next season
When is the 2023/24 Champions League last 16 draw?
