The USA women were impressive once again as they beat Columbia 3-0 to move into the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals. The U.S. is the top-ranked team in the world and they sit atop of Group C on goal difference ahead of Sweden, with both teams sharing six points. The U.S. and Sweden will meet on Wednesday.
This was a comprehensive victory by the U.S. and the score should have been a lot more than 3-0 as they missed a lot of chances. The tone was set early with Abby Wambach’s effort blocked and forward partner Amy Rodriguez firing the rebound over.
However, USA broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as Heather O’Reilly struck with one of the goals of the tournament. Colombia lost possession on the edge of the penalty area and O’Reilly unhesitatingly fired an unerring drive into the far top corner of the Colombia goal.
The goal gave USA, and in particular O’Reilly, more impetus, with the No9 firing again on goal from the right, with Wambach unable to convert the rebound. The same pair combined again with Wambach just unable to direct her far post header under the crossbar from O’Reilly’s pinpoint cross.
The match was virtually over as a contest five minutes after the interval as half-time substitute Megan Rapinoe scored USA’s second after being set up by Lauren Cheney. Seven minutes later Carli Lloyd bagged the Americans third with a long-range effort as the USA threatened to run riot.
It proved not to be Wambach’s day in front of goal with the prolific goalscorer coming close several times, most notably hitting the post in the latter stages as she beat goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda in a race for a loose ball outside the penalty area.
