Without its center forward Mera Ramirez, who is out through suspension, Colombia beat New Zealand 2-0 in Lyon this Sunday and returned to contention for women’s football at the Paris Olympics, after its debut, with a loss against the hosts. .
The Linda Caicedo-led coffee makers went all out in the fight to advance to the quarter-finals on the final day of Group A, though not the ‘9’, but were eliminated by France 3-2 in Lyon on Thursday.
Mixed midfielder Marcela Restrepo initially took over the goal-scoring duties for a team that will always look for a competitive goal as it tries to seal passage to the next round when it faces defending champions Canada in Nice on Wednesday. Six points because of the espionage scandal.
He fired it right-footed from the edge of the area in the 27th minute, following full-back Mackenzie Barry’s header which slipped past goalkeeper Anna Leet at the far post.
After a second consecutive loss, a 2-1 loss against the Canadians, New Zealand tried to close in on Catherine Tapia’s goal.
But she found the final blow in that quest: full-back Manuela Vanegas drifted in from the left and headed for the white spot before reaching the finish line.
Catalina Usme, who scored the historic goal, opened her legs, allowing the ball to pass to Lizzy Santos (71), who hit the corner with her left foot to lift the net for the second time.
With no points, the Oceanic team will try to beat France in Lyon on Wednesday to have a chance to progress to the next round.
raa/mcd
“Typical beer advocate. Future teen idol. Unapologetic tv practitioner. Music trailblazer.”