A Catalina Usme second-half strike bridged the resilient Jamaican defense for the first time in the Women’s World Cup tournament on Monday, to send them through to the quarter-finals stage where they will encounter European champions England.
The Colombian captain’s 51st-minute strike sent the South American’s side supporters into ecstasy at a full-to-capacity Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, to send them to the last eight of the competition for the first time in their history.
An evenly contested affair saw both sides go toe to toe for most of the encounter as neither side was able to fully stamp their hold on a tie.
The second half saw the game open up as Colombia finally broke Jamaica’s defensive brick wall for the first time in the ongoing game as their skipper Catalina Usme expertly controlled a cross-field pass to beat her marker to coolly slot past the Jamaican goalkeeper.
Jamaica pushed very hard for the equalizer but could not break down a dogged Colombia defense that stood strong to see out the win.
Columbia will now battle England at the quarter-finals stage as their impressive World Cup campaign continues
