Women’s World Cup: Colombia Strikes Late To Stun Germany

Colombia defender Manuela Vanegas headed in a stoppage-time winner to give the South Americans a stunning 2-1 victory against Germany in their FIFA Women’s World Cup Group H clash, at the Sydney Football Stadium in Australia on Sunday.

Germany forward Lina Magull had a good chance in the 21st minute but her swing at the ball made contact with nothing but air and Lena Oberdorf’s subsequent effort was blocked. German striker Alexandra Popp should have added to her tournament tally in the 42nd minute, but blazed her volley high and wide from close range.

Colombia continued to launch the ball forward at every opportunity and were rewarded seven minutes after the break. Colombia’s 18-year-old winger Linda Caicedo gathered the ball on the left edge of the box, cut back between two defenders and curled the ball into the top right-hand corner to score a stunning goal.

Caicedo, who gave her team a scare after collapsing in training on Thursday, made a comeback to the delight of her compatriots with a goal of the highest quality in the 52nd minute. The stadium exploded with noise as the teenager celebrated her second goal at the tournament. She is the youngest player to score in this World Cup.

• Read more: Morocco Claims First Ever Women’s World Cup Victory

Germany continued to spurn what chances they created but looked to have snatched a draw. With two minutes left on the clock, Oberdorf was brought down in the box by Perez and a penalty was awarded. Popp stepped up to fire the ball confidently into the net to make the scores 1-1.

However, more was to come as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup delivered another moment of magic.

Eight minutes after Germany’s equaliser, Colombia defender Vanegas powered the ball home from a corner to send the fans in the Sydney Football Stadium into a frenzy, as the match finished 2-1 in favour of the Colombians.

“Obviously, you need to be happy and euphoric because this is a great win for the whole country and we’ve been feeling this,” said Colombia assistant coach Angelo Marsiglia.

“But look, the game and the tournament still continues so we’ll go step by step. We have a very mature team and they know what they want.”

The 27th-ranked Colombians now need only to avoid a heavy defeat to Morocco in their final Group H match to reach the last 16, while Germany are still likely to progress if they beat South Korea in their last fixture.

The biggest win in @FCFSeleccionCol‘s #FIFAWWC history. 👏 pic.twitter.com/jphBPLWHRM

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 30, 2023

Sunday’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup results

South Korea 0-1 Morocco

Norway 6-0 Philippines

Switzerland 0-0 New Zealand

Germany 1-2 Colombia.

Colombia on 🔝!

A historic win for @FCFSeleccionCol puts them in a great position in Group H. 👏#BeyondGreatness | #FIFAWWC

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 30, 2023