25th July, 2023
Colombia beat South Korea 2-0 in a fast, physical contest in their Women’s World Cup Group H game in Sydney.
A penalty from a handball and a mistake from the goalkeeper proved costly for the South Koreans.
The Colombians just had to hold on after their two first-half goals and their pressing attack did not give their opponents any reprieve.
South Korea had looked on top in the first 15 minutes with a high boot after just 10 minutes leaving Colombian defender Manuela Vanegas lucky to only receive a yellow card.
But the first real chance of the game came in the 28th minute when a shot in the box struck Shim Seo-Yeon.
Catalina Usme, the all-time top Colombian goal scorer, converted from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
The goal lifted the confidence of the Colombians with the second coming only eight minutes later through Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Linda Caicedo after a mistake from the South Korean goalkeeper, the shot from outside the box slipping through the hands of the outstretched Yoon Young-Guel.
South Korea’s biggest chance came in the first half as Geum-Min Lee had an open header pushed away by Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez.
South Korean teenager Casey Phair made history by being the youngest woman to play in the world cup at just 16.
Colombia are second in their group behind Germany who beat Morocco 6-0 in Melbourne.