After a nail-biting 1-0 victory against Jamaica in Melbourne, Colombia advanced to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the nation’s history, and France convincingly eliminated Morocco to advance to the last eight.
In addition to scoring the game-winning goal for Colombia, Catalina Usme also broke Jamaica’s tenacious defence for the first time in this tournament.
The Colombians’ reward is a last-eight match against fourth-ranked England in Sydney on Saturday. Despite the fact that there are 21 places separating the two teams in the world rankings, the South American team has the talent to win this match.
Les Bleues secure a 4-0 victory over Morocco, which had made its tournament debut and had previously reached the round of 16 Australia, the other co-host, in the round of eight on Saturday.
When the final horn sounds in Adelaide, France has won 4-0 with ease.
Within the first quarter of the game, it was all but done. Eugénie Le Sommer scored her second goal with 20 minutes left to give Les Bleues a dominating lead after goals from Kadidiatou Diani, Kenza Dali, and Le Sommer.
But what a first Women’s World Cup for Morocco, who defied its dismal rating of No. 72 in the world to advance to the knockout rounds.
But in the round of eight, France will face fellow host Australia. The following quarterfinal games are planned for this week’s Friday and Saturday:
- Spain vs. Netherlands
- Japan vs. Sweden
- Australia vs. France
- England vs. Colombia
Eugénie Le Sommer scores a second goal to make it four goals for France.
France will undoubtedly advance to the quarterfinals thanks to that goal.
Eugénie Le Sommer scores her second goal of the match with a back-post header on the 70th minute following a quiet second half.
The Blues are dominating, and Morocco is on its way to a crushing loss.