The Lionesses enjoy a leisurely stroll around Sydney before reaching

The Lionesses enjoy a leisurely stroll around Sydney before reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup after defeating Colombia

The Lionesses enjoyed a stroll around Sydney on Saturday before securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

In a thrilling clash with Colombia, the team clinched a 2-1 victory and caused wild cheers from the English fans.

Just hours before their victory, they took a stroll through the CBD wearing blue Nike shorts and their white and tan England jackets.

Teammate Lauren James was also present, although she was recently suspended for two games for injuring Nigerian Michelle Alozie.

The girls looked confident while chatting and smiling before the game.

Well done: The Lionesses enjoyed a stroll around Sydney on Saturday before securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals

Well done: The Lionesses enjoyed a stroll around Sydney on Saturday before securing their place in the World Cup semi-finals

Stroll: In a thrilling clash with Colombia, the team clinched a 2-1 victory and caused wild cheers from the English fans

Stroll: In a thrilling clash with Colombia, the team clinched a 2-1 victory and caused wild cheers from the English fans

The fans’ desire to cheer the Lionesses on to victory was met as the team fought off a 1-0 win and secured a 2-1 win.

Shouts of ‘Come on England’ were heard as fans ignored the summer drizzle and watched on the big screen in St Albans, Hertfordshire as coach Sarina Wiegman’s team took on Colombia at Australia’s Stadium in Sydney.

Scorers Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured the team a place in their third consecutive semi-final.

Fans waving flags and wearing red and white face paint were seen jumping and shouting as England’s victory was confirmed.

English players could be seen comforting and swapping shirts with some of the devastated young Colombians.

Excited England fans flocked to the Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses’ World Cup quarter-finals match at Sydney’s Australia Stadium, while fans back home in the UK fled to pubs and bars to watch the game.

Football fan Joanna King said that “the best is yet to come” for England, despite a spate of injuries to top players in the build-up to the tournament and the sending off of 21-year-old top scorer Lauren James in the round of 16 penalty shoot-out win over Nigeria was a week.

Following Saturday’s result, the 31-year-old sales consultant from Oxford said: “I thought it could go into overtime but we were lucky that we did.”

Joy: Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone jumped in the air after the win

Joy: Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone jumped in the air after the win

Squad: Just hours before their victory, they took a stroll through the CBD wearing blue Nike shorts and their white and tan England jackets

Squad: Just hours before their victory, they took a stroll through the CBD wearing blue Nike shorts and their white and tan England jackets

Smiles: Teammate Lauren James was also in attendance, although she was recently suspended for two games for kicking Nigeria's Michelle Alozie

Smiles: Teammate Lauren James was also in attendance, although she was recently suspended for two games for injuring Nigerian Michelle Alozie

Big game: The girls looked confident as they chatted before the game

Big game: The girls looked confident as they chatted before the game

Time out: Alex Greenwood was chatting with friends on her cell phone

Time out: Alex Greenwood was chatting with friends on her cell phone

Out and about: Rachel Daly had her blonde hair tied back in a practical bun

Out and about: Rachel Daly had her blonde hair tied back in a practical bun

Comeback: James, who has scored three goals in four games, would be eligible for the final or third/fourth place play-offs

Comeback: James, who has scored three goals in four games, would be eligible for the final or third/fourth place play-offs

Amazing: The fans' wish to cheer for the Lionesses to victory was fulfilled as the team fought their way to a 1-0 victory and secured a 2-1 victory

Amazing: The fans’ wish to cheer for the Lionesses to victory was fulfilled as the team fought their way to a 1-0 victory and secured a 2-1 victory

Support: Excited England fans flocked to Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses World Cup Quarter-Finals at Sydney's Stadium Australia

Support: Excited England fans flocked to Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses World Cup Quarter-Finals at Sydney’s Stadium Australia

Match: Scorers Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured the team a place in their third consecutive semi-final

Match: Scorers Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured the team a place in their third consecutive semi-final

Next: They play Australia in the semi-finals after the tournament's co-hosts clinched a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over France in Brisbane on Saturday

Next: They play Australia in the semi-finals after the tournament’s co-hosts clinched a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over France in Brisbane on Saturday

“I think many players showed a better game today than in the last two games.”

She added, “It was nice to be out here today to support them.” The atmosphere was really good and there were a lot of people. “The weather has been a bit changeable but that’s British summer for you.”

Ms King said before the game in front of the McDonald’s big screen in St Albans: ‘I would have preferred Australia to France, I know that.’ I think the Matildas are very good.’

They meet Australia in the semi-finals after the tournament’s joint hosts clinched a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over France in Brisbane on Saturday.

Excitement: Fans waving flags and wearing red and white face paint were seen jumping and shouting as England's win was confirmed

Excitement: Fans waving flags and wearing red and white face paint were seen jumping and shouting as England’s victory was confirmed

BOXPARK: England fans celebrate at home as the Lionesses advance to the World Cup semi-finals after a thrilling clash with Colombia

BOXPARK: England fans celebrate at home as the Lionesses advance to the World Cup semi-finals after a thrilling clash with Colombia