Sydney, 13 Aug (Xinhua) -- At the World Cup, the Colombian team did not leave many memories of people. Even if there were, it seems that their men's soccer team is more easily remembered. For example, Balderama, who had a very recognizable hairstyle in the 90s of the 20th century, such as James Rodriguez (J Ronaldo), who was born in the 2014 World Cup and led the team to the quarterfinals. But after the battle of Sydney on the 12th, the Colombian women's football team also had the talk.
Colombian starters pose for a group photo before a match on August 12. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hu Jingchen)
In this World Cup, which most people see as representing the reshuffle of the women's football pattern, Germany, the United States and other established teams are out early, and Colombia is a "dark horse" to occupy a place in the quarterfinals, which is eye-catching, and this is only their third World Cup trip.
The South American men's soccer team is the leader, but in the women's field, Brazil was once the only representative, and Colombia, most of the time, was only a foil. They didn't make their FIFA Women's World Cup debut until 2011, and although they reached the round of 16 in 2015, they failed to do so four years later, even missing out on the World Cup in France.
Where you fall, you get up, and in 2019, Colombian women's football won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in history. In 2022, at the Copa America on their doorstep, Colombia reached the final, and despite losing to Brazil, it also earned them a ticket to the World Cup and the gears that rewrote the history of Colombian women's football turned.
It is no exaggeration to use the word "amazing" to describe Colombia's World Cup journey, and after winning the first game against South Korea, they beat Germany 2-1 in the second game to qualify early. Even if they lost to Morocco in the final round, it still did not prevent them from finishing first in the group and advancing to the knockout round. With Brazil and Argentina out of the group, Colombia became the only South American team in the round of 16.
Colombia's Banegas (second from left) celebrates after a goal on July 30. On the same day, in the group stage of Group H of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Sydney, Australia, Colombia defeated Germany 2-1. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hu Jingchen)
Facing Jamaica, which is also a "dark horse", Colombia won 1-0 with a better goal. Speaking about the European champions England who will face next, the boss Avadia is not afraid of his opponents, saying: "England are European champions, but we have also beaten European powerhouse Germany, I think we will be smart and calm enough. ”
In this 1/4 final on the 12th, if the England team is mainly about the team, then the Colombian team means talent. Although the international ranking is much lower than that of its opponents, and although it is not as skilled as its opponents in overall coordination, the Colombian team can always use its personal skills to threaten the opponent's city gate again and again, forcing an otherwise suspenseless game into a "five-five".
Lacey Santos' goal-breaking goal was imaginative, and the ball fell at breakneck speed after a wonderful arc, leaving goalkeeper Epps helpless. Such a goal is very "South American", such as in a warm-up match with the United States in 2018, Jristiano Ronaldo also scored an "unsolvable" arc ball in a similar position.
Colombian player Lacey Santos celebrates after scoring on August 12. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Hu Jingchen)
Unfortunately, a subsequent mistake by goalkeeper Perez led to a final reversal for the Colombian team. The defeat was indeed bitter, but after wiping away her tears, Avadia saw more hope, saying: "This is a turning point for Colombian women's football, this World Cup experience is wonderful, but it also means that we have to do better in the future. I think the team will have more support in the future because we have shown what Colombian women's football can do. ”
Among the many main players in the current year, Linda Caicedo, who is only 18 years old, is the youngster who plays for Real Madrid, who showed maturity and steadiness that did not match her age and became the second youngest South American player to score in the history of the Women's World Cup, ahead of another legend, Marta from Brazil.
And this is where Avadia's strength lies.