Colombia stuns France 2-0 in Women’s World Cup
Jun 13, 2015, 1:55 PM
Colombia's goal keeper Sandra Sepulveda makes a save against France during the first half of a FIFA Women's World Cup soccer game in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, on Saturday, June 13, 2015. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
(Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press via AP)
Lady Andrade and Catalina Usme scored goals as Colombia stunned third-ranked France 2-0 Saturday in one of the biggest upsets in Women’s World Cup history.
The underdog Colombians opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Andrade broke free from a pair of defenders for a tap-in goal.
Usme clinched her country’s first World Cup win with a goal on the counter attack in the 93rd minute.
“We’ve proved that we’re not just here to make up the numbers. We knew that we’d have to play intelligently and fight for every ball. My players are real battlers,” Colombia coach Fabian Taborda said of his 28th-ranked team.
The French lost despite outshooting Colombia 21-3 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Much of that was thanks to the play of Colombian goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda, who made a number of sprawling saves that increasingly frustrated the French attack.
“There were numerous aspects that weren’t quite right (Saturday). We weren’t accurate enough with our passes at key moments. Despite that, we still created chances, but their goalkeeper had a great match,” France coach Philippe Bergeroo said.
France was unlucky as well. Colombian defender Daniela Montoya appeared to touch the ball with her hand inside the penalty area in the 67th minute, but a foul wasn’t called.
France wraps up group play against Mexico on Wednesday, while the Colombians face England.
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