Colombia reaches quarter-finals of Women’s World Cup

Colombia achieved a historic qualification to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup after defeating Jamaica 1-0, a team that had not conceded a goal in the tournament.

It is the first time that Colombia has reached the third round in a major women’s soccer tournament, and now they will face England, a favorite to lift the cup.

Catalina Usme scored the goal at minute 52 that broke the Jamaican spell of keeping a clean sheet in their first three games, after receiving a cross from the youthful Ana María Guzmán.

The goal set off an outburst of jubilation in the stands of the Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, where Colombian supporters once again had a dominant presence in the stands.

Colombia is the only Conmebol team still alive in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and Jamaica was the last Concacaf team in the tournament.

The coffee makers found it difficult to deal with the physical game of the Jamaicans who defended their properties with force and some rough play.

The situation changed in the second half when the left-back Guzmán, debuting in the World Cup, sent a high cross to the foot of Usme, who received with mastery and overcame the resistance of the Caribbean goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.