French fried
Colombia pulls off a shocker
Lady Andrade and Catalina Usme scored goals as Colombia stunned thirdranked France 20 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 tapin 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 28thranked team.
The French lost despite outshooting Colombia 213 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.
England 2, Mexico 1
In Moncton, New Brunswick, Fran Kirby and Karen Carney scored in the second half, and England beat Mexico.
The English moved into a tie with France for second in Group F with three points and a game to go. Colombia is the surprise leader of the group after a 20 upset of France.
The 21yearold Kirby got the first goal of the World Cup for England when she used a toe poke to beat Cecilia Santiago in the 71st minute. Carney scored on a header in the 82nd minute.
Fabiola Ibarra scored in stoppage time for Mexico.