Colombia’s dream 2023 Women’s World Cup run continues after Los Cafeteras ousted Jamaica in their round-of-16 tie on Tuesday.
Following a tepid 0-0 half-time score, Catalina Usme broke the deadlock with a sublime finish six minutes into the second half to give Colombia their maiden win against CONCACAF-based opposition.
Ana Guzman delivered an inch-perfect diagonal ball to America de Cali forward, who set herself up nicely with a sublime first touch before picking out the far bottom corner.
Nelson Abadia’s side endured a late siege as Jamaica dispatched bodies forward in pursuit of an all-important equaliser to secure a historic victory at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Colombia’s tremendous defensive effort laid the foundation for the nation’s greatest-ever success at the Women’s World Cup as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in only their third appearance.
Unfortunately for the South Americans, they cross paths with heavily fancied England in the next knockout round and will need to upset the apple cart to keep their fairytale alive.
As for the other last-16 tie, France trounced tournament debutants Morocco 4-0 at Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown against co-hosts Australia.
Given a substantial gulf in class and Les Bleues’ experience in high-stakes fixtures, the Lionesses of Atlas never stood a chance against one of the tournament favourites.
Reynald Pedros’ played down the odds in the group stages, leaving Germany and South Korea in their wake en route to making the knockout phase, but this was the end of the road for the Moroccans.
Inspired by new Lyon forward Kadidiatou Diani’s match-winning performance, Herve Renard’s team grabbed a landslide 3-0 cushion within the first 23 minutes of play.
Diani opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a simple header before setting up Aston Villa’s Kenza Dali, who doubled France’s lead only three minutes later with a super first-time finish from the edge of the box.
The country’s all-time top-scorer Eugenie Le Sommer made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute, latching onto a deflection off Diani’s feet to put Renard’s ladies in cruising control at the break.
Le Sommer’s header from point-blank midway through the second half cemented France’s place in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals for the fourth tournament running.
