England will play Colombia on Wednesday in a huge game that will determine how this Women's World Cup 2015 tournament will progress for these two teams. The game has a start time scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the Fox Sports 1 network, or online through live stream via the link below.
Today's game is a big one for England - after a win and a loss in their opening two games, they know that a win or draw today would see them progress for sure. However, a loss would put that in doubt, although technically it is still possible for them to progress even if they lose, as a number of third placed teams will also progress.
However, a third place finish would not guarantee them progression (things would rely on goal difference), and even if they did progress it would mean a likely knock out stage game against one of the world's best teams, and that would be something England want to avoid at this early stage.
If England do lose here today, then they would compete with the other third placed teams throughout the tournament. Already three other teams have ended the group stages with just three points - Switzerland, Sweden and Thailand. Two other groups are also yet to finish, and the third placed teams in each of those would also be competing with England if they came in third.
Thailand finished with a goal difference of -7 though, which means England should almost certainly finish above them on goal difference, which means they would need to beat one more team in third place to progress.
Prior to the tournament starting, England would have been strong favourites against Colombia, as they are ranked well above them in the FIFA rankings. However, Colombia pulled off an extraordinary win against France, one of the tournament favourites, and that has thrown the entire group into confusion. England of course lost to France in their opening game, and with Colombia currently top of the group, nothing is certain about how today will turn out.
In the other game in this group today, France will be playing Mexico, and with the French big favourites to win that game and finish with six points, both Colombia and England have a lot to play for to try and ensure they qualify for the next round. All three teams will want to finish top of the group, as this would potentially give the group winners an easier path through the knock out stages. Second would not be bad, but a third place finish leaves uncertainty and also a potential huge roadblock in the Round of 16.
Today's big Women's World Cup 2015 game between England and Colombia will start at 4 p.m. ET (9 p.m. BST) and can be watched on TV on the Fox Sports 1 network or online through live stream by clicking here.
