Who will claim the final two spots in the FIFA WWC semis?
The GIST: More win-or-go-home footy, coming right up. The two remaining semifinal spots will be booked before tomorrow’s brunch reservation — here’s your guide to the crucial Saturday morning soccer.
No. 10 Australia vs. No. 5 France — Tomorrow at 3 a.m. ET: Save an early stumble, the co-host Matildas have looked dominant — even without superstar forward Sam Kerr, who missed the group stage with a calf injury. Plus, Kerr might make her first tourney start tomorrow after coming off the bench in their Round of 16 win over No. 13 Denmark. Electric.
- As for Les Bleues, it’s all about the offense — they’ve netted a whopping 12 goals in four games. Watch for standout attackers Kadidiatou Diani and Eugénie Le Sommer to keep that same pressure on the Australian backline.
No. 4 England vs. No. 25 Colombia — Tomorrow at 6:30 a.m. ET: With the No. 1 USWNT eliminated, the 2022 Euro Champ Lionesses are the new favorites to win it all. But, after already dealing with a litany of injuries, they’ll now be without forward Lauren James, who was handed a two-game ban after stepping on Nigerian player Michelle Alozie in England’s Round of 16 victory.
- Enter: the underdogs. The lowest-ranked team remaining, Colombia’s Cinderella story has been led by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo, the up-and-comer who overcame cancer three years ago and has two of the squad’s five goals this tournament. Can she add an upset for the ages to this fairytale?
