USA vs Colombia final score 2-0: Full highlights, recap

The United States women’s national team advanced to the quarterfinals with a win over Colombia in the Round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup.

The United States women’s national team struggled through a first half, one that saw Megan Rapinoe get a yellow card which would force her to miss the next game if they were to advance. Colombia looked like the better team and the USWNT looked susceptible to the upset.

Then the tides turned in a sloppy game and things started to go the USWNT’s way. The first break came minutes into the second half.

A through ball had Alex Morgan in on goal seemingly by herself. Colombia goalkeeper Catalina Perez came out to make the play and stop the attack, but her tackle missed the ball and ended taking Morgan’s legs out from under her.

Perez earned a red card on the play, and the USWNT got a penalty with a cold, back up keeper coming in.

Abby Wambach, not Alex Morgan, stepped up to take the penalty kick. Wambach went left with a left-footed kick and beat the back up keeper Stefany Castaño, who dove the opposite direction to the right, however Wambach missed the goal completely.

Their second break came moments later when an Alex Morgan shot from a bad angle caught Castaño off guard and went in on net.

This looked more like a poor defensive play from Castaño, who seemed to prepare for the cross and in a desperation move just got a hand on it to deflect it in.

Colombia then gave the USWNT another penalty kick with a foul on Megan Rapinoe. This one was clearly in the box.

Carli Lloyd stepped up to take the penalty this time, not Wambach who trails Brazil’s Marta for most goals in Women’s World Cup history. Once again Castaño jumped early and in the wrong direction, but Lloyd found the mark and gave the USWNT a 2-0 lead.

That goal sealed the win, and the United States advances to play China on Friday. It was a less than convincing win and the USWNT shouldn’t necessarily feel confident based on that result.

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