England fans were in fine voice at the Sydney’s Olympic Park

THE atmosphere at Sydney’s Olympic Park was electric on Saturday and that was before a quarter-final ball was even kicked between England and Colombia in nearby Stadium Australia.

A crowd of 75,784 would make it through the turnstiles for that crunch tie, which saw Arsenal’s Alessia Russo finally come into her World Cup own.

But many thousands had turned up hours in advance for a big screen viewing of the appetiser – Australia versus France.

The co-hosts featured three of north London’s finest in their starting lineup, with Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley as well as Spurs’ Alanna Kennedy taking to the field against France in Brisbane.

The 120 minutes of football and 20 penalties that followed had a nation glued to their screens and as they huddled on the grass in the giant fanzone in Sydney, the mostly Aussie crowd lived every moment.

Hearts and hands were in mouths as the spot-kicks ebbed and flowed, not least when Arsenal’s otherwise imperious defender Catley saw her penalty saved.

But the cheers could be heard across the Olympic Park when Cortnee Vine dispatched the winning penalty for Australia to win 7-6 and book an historic place in the semis.

In the stadium mere minutes later, Colombia and England kicked off their own last eight battle, the world’s number 25 side roared on by a partisan crowd against the European champions.

The fans were ecstatic when Leicy Santos scored the opener with a delicious lob just before the break, but England were unbowed and Lauren Hemp prodded in the equaliser after determined work by Arsenal’s Russo.

Then, just after the hour, the lively Gunner capped a well deserved player-of-the-match performance with a bullet shot that would prove to be the winning goal.

“You have a split second to take a shot and I knew I wanted to go across the goalkeeper with as much pace as I could,” Russo said afterwards. “Fortunately it went in.”

It was enough to see England into their third World Cup semi-final in succession and now Australia – and another partisan crowd – await on Wednesday, but that is something Sarina Wiegman’s team will relish.

“The Colombians were incredible, not only the players but the fans,” Russo said afterwards. “That’s what the World Cup is all about, seeing top teams on the biggest stage with all their fans behind them.

“We’ve had a taste of it tonight and it’s another test but one that’s exciting, not only to face the hosts but also to be in a World Cup semi final, but yeah, we’re keeping the dream alive.”

Australia will play England on Wednesday at 11am UK time, the match live on BBC 1.