'We all feel really confident... we will thrive once again'

Lauren Hemp believes England will thrive in what she expects to be another incredible atmosphere against hosts Australia during Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final.

The Lionesses faced a vocal crowd during Saturday’s 2-1 win in the quarter-final, with opponents Colombia well supported in Stadium Australia in Sydney.

But despite going behind late in the first half, goals from Hemp and strike-partner Alessia Russo helped England book a third consecutive Women’s World Cup semi-final spot.

“What an amazing feeling,” Hemp said.

“We put in a great performance and you saw the resilience of the squad, I am so proud of them.

“I thought we controlled most of the game, they had counter-attacks but we knew what they were going to bring. I thought we dealt with it quite well, we played really well and long may that continue.

“You have seen we have changed formation a bit, as a group we are adaptable and anyone can come on and change a game.”

Australia will have the home crowd behind them on Wednesday, having secured their semi-final spot with an enthralling penalty shootout win over France earlier today.

And Hemp said: “I am buzzing for the semis. We are all feeling really confident. Australia, bring it on. I'm absolutely over the moon, I can't wait.

"The atmosphere here was incredible and it's going to be incredible again. That's when you thrive, I feel like we will thrive once again."

England’s winner came via a well-taken low drive from Russo just after the hour mark, for what was her second goal of the tournament after grabbing the first during the 6-1 victory over China.

And the Arsenal striker said: “I wanted to get as clean as strike as possible and go low and hard across the goal, as strikers that situation is what we work hard for. I am happy to get the goal but happier to be in the semi-finals.

“We worked really hard as a team tonight and fully deserved it, that’s not meant disrespectfully to Colombia, they played their hearts out and their fans were incredible.

“They have a very talented team of players, who really pushed us. It was a very tough test but every game has been like that since we started.”