Catalina Usme has helped her country make soccer history…
Colombia clinched a matchup with England in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday, thanks to a second-half goal by the 33-year-old Colombian footballer.
Usme, Colombia’s team captain scored in the 51st minute to give her side a 1-0 win over an underdog Jamaica team that had been one of the best stories of the tournament.
It’s Colombia’s first time advancing to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. In addition, Colombia is the first South American country to reach the last eight since Brazil in 2011.
Jamaica pushed forward for the final 40 minutes after Usme’s goal but wasn’t able to find an equalizer. The Jamaicans’ best chance came just a few minutes after Usme scored when Jody Brown hit the post with a header off a corner kick.
Drew Spence also came close in the final 10 minutes.
Colombia’s matchup with England will be one of the more fascinating quarterfinal games. The English women are the World Cup favorites and will not have Lauren James after her red card against Nigeria.
Colombia has won three of its four games at the World Cup and has been one of the best defensive teams at the tournament. The Colombians have allowed just one goal over their four games.
Jamaica’s tournament is over after they scored just one goal over four games but advanced to the knockout rounds on the heels of a stingy defense. A 1-0 win and two 0-0 ties in the group stage were good enough to get the Jamaicans into the Round of 16 before allowing their first goal of the tournament to Usme.
The Colombia women’s national football team has represented Colombia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup at three stagings of the tournament, in 2011, 2015 and 2023.
Aitana Bonmatí has helped reigning world champions Spain advance at the 2024 Paris Games.
Spain had to fight back from 2-0 down on Saturday to get to the penalty shootout.