Sam Kerr and Eve Perisset came off the bench for Australia and France as they faced each other in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals. It was a game full of nerves and tension as the pressure seemed to get to both sides over a goalless 120 minutes of football, despite Kerr shining after coming on early in the second half of normal time.

That meant the tension only increased as the match went to penalties, which lasted deep into sudden death as the nerves again made their presence felt. Kerr netted her effort from the spot, but Perisset was one of the victims of Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who emerged as the hero with three saves, despite missing her own penalty, before France's 10th came back off the post to send the Mathildas through to their first-ever semi.

England had captain Millie Bright and Jess Carter in their side to take on Colombia in the day's second quarter-final and they had to come from behind after a ball into the box looped its way straight in over Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps.

However, the English pulled level before half time, Lauren Hemp capitalising on a fumble by the Colombia goalkeeper, before Alessia Russo struck to take the lead and allow a strong defensive effort from the Lionesses to hold on for the win.

That sets up a mouth-watering semi-final on Wednesday, which could see Chelsea striker Kerr up against her club-mates Bright and Carter in the England defence.

Lionesses fight back

England took on this World Cup’s surprise package Colombia, who were the lowest ranked team still in the tournament, but had been impressive throughout so far.

With Lauren James serving the first of a two-game suspension following her red card against Nigeria in the last round, Chelsea’s representation in the England starting XI was left to Millie Bright, who captained the side, with Jess Carter lining up next to her in a back three. Hannah Hampton and Niamh Charles were among the substitutes.

The Lionesses were unlucky not to take the lead just five minutes in, when a cross from the right caused chaos, but three times in quick succession close-range efforts from Hemp and Russo were bravely blocked. That was soon looking like England’s most promising route to goal, as the Lionesses started to take control, Russo heading straight at the keeper from another delivery.

As has often been the case at this tournament, England were seeing plenty of the ball, but struggling to create chances. The only real threat from either side for a long period came when Georgia Stanaway’s sliced shot fell kindly for Rachel Daly at the back post, but again her header was straight at the keeper.

Disaster struck for the Lionesses right on the brink of half-time, when Colombia took a shock lead. It came out of nothing, when Leicy Santos attempted a cross from the right and didn’t strike it cleanly under pressure. It drifted towards goal, and England keeper Mary Earps couldn't reach as it dropped under the bar and into the back of the net.

Amazingly, it was back level at the break, after England were gifted an equaliser six minutes into added time. Colombia’s keeper dove low to claim a loose ball in the box but accidentally pushed it into the back of a defender, and fumbled two further attempts to gather, before Hemp's persistence paid off to slide in from six yards.

England started to make their dominance count in the second half and just after the hour mark took the lead. It came from a patient attack, and it looked like Colombia would be able to snuff out the threat when Stanaway tried to feed Russo on the edge of the box. But the outcome was never in doubt once the pass evaded the defender, with the Arsenal striker shifting her run quickly and firing a low finish confidently past the goalkeeper.

That teed things up for a sturdy defensive effort for England as they attempted to see out the game, with Bright and Carter heavily involved in weathering increasing pressure towards the end and standing strong to reach the semi-finals.

Penalty drama for hosts

It was a tense start to the day when hosts Australia took on France in their quarter-final, with both Chelsea players involved starting the game on the bench, as Kerr was held in reserve by the home nation after missing the start of the tournament through injury, and Perisset among the French substitutes.

Australia were roared on by the home crowd as they attempted to progress from the last eight, having fallen at this stage of the last three successive World Cups, and the pressure seemed to take its toll, especially in a nervy first half low on chances, although Mary Fowler was only prevented from giving the Aussies a half-time lead by a brilliant sliding clearance.

With the game finely poised, Australia called on Kerr from the bench 10 minutes into the second half, and she instantly lifted both the crowd and her team’s performance, although they couldn’t turn their new-found momentum into a goal.

The balance shifted in France’s favour during extra time, but they too failed to make it count by the end of the additional 30 minutes, despite an own goal being struck off for a foul, while Perisset was introduced with just moments left.

So to penalties it went, and mixed fortunes for the two Chelsea players involved in what became the longest shoot-out ever at a Women’s World Cup. Kerr slotted in her kick nervelessly, but Perisset saw her effort saved as the initial five penalties ended level. That was one of three saves by Australia goalkeeper Arnold before the hosts’ victory was sealed when Vicki Becho hit the post with France’s 10th penalty, allowing Cortnee Vine to score and secure the Mathildas’ place in the last four for the first time.

Australia are now the first hosts to reach the semi-finals since the USA in 2003, as they continue their bid to be the first to win the Women’s World Cup on home soil since the same nation did so in 1999.