Alex Greenwood leads the way again with touching gesture to Colombia wonderkid

12 August 2023 , 13:32

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Linda Caicedo of Colombia is consoled by Alex Greenwood (Image: Lars Baron/Getty Images)

The Lionesses are through to the Women's World Cup semi-final following a fierce 2-1 victory over tournament dark horses Colombia.

Leicy Santos' lobbed stunner fired Colombia into an unlikely lead in a tempestuous first-half. But a goalkeeping mare from Catalina Pérez saw Lauren Hemp draw England level on the stroke of half-time before Alessia Russo's second-half strike sealed the deal for the Lionesses.

A semi-final berth against co-hosts Australia now awaits Sarina Wiegman's team, but the immediate scenes of jubilant celebration from the European champions at full-time were punctuated by England defender Alex Greenwood consoling Colombia's distraught Linda Caicedo.

Where Colombia had stolen the hearts of many a World Cup fan, the 18-year-old Real Madrid starlet had kept hold of them with her effervescent skill and aplomb on the world's grandest stage.

Indeed, the teenager has been instrumental in Colombia's historic run Down Under. Caicedo wrote her name into the history books as she stunned two-time world champions Germany with a sublime strike from distance and has routinely gleaned the adulation from pundits and commentators for her inimitably thrilling performances.

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But despite chances falling to the gifted forward, she was unable to provide the heroics for her side against the Euro2022 champions as Colombia's World Cup campaign ground to a halt against the Lionesses.

And Greenwood was seen hugging and consoling the crying Caicedo at full-time, offering her support in what has been an emotional journey for the youngster.

Linda Caicedo of Colombia is consoled by Alex Greenwood of England (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Linda Caicedo of Colombia is consoled by Alex Greenwood of England (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Making her senior debut for her nation at the tender age of 14, Caicedo's professional journey includes a cancer diagnosis at 15, a move to one of football’s Spanish behemoths at 17 and now, an epochal World Cup campaign for her nation.

Greenwood's post-match actions are the latest in a canon of top sportsmanship at this summer's tournament and the second such gesture from the Manchester City defender.

After dramatically defeating Nigeria on penalties in the last-16, England's Chloe Kelly and Greenwood chose to stave off the curious glare of BBC cameras as they checked on Nnadozie, who lay on the grass crying with her gloves over her face after Nigeria’s sensational World Cup run came to a crashing halt on penalties.

In a match oft-defined by its merciless and turbulent challenges from the South Americans, Saturday's post-match gestures are a welcomed and refreshing sight that serve as a reminder of the agonising margins at play in this summer's showpiece event.

And Greenwood's actions were not in isolation, with compatriot Jess Carter joined Greenwood in consoling their Colombian opponents, helping to lift a dejected Jorelyn Carabalí off the ground after the whistle.

Megan Feringa