The Colombia Women’s National Fútbol Team made history Tuesday (August 8) when they beat Jamaica during the Round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With the win, they reached the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal for the first time in team history. They also become the first South American nation in 12 years, not including Brazil, to reach the next round.
Colombia, which was the only Latin American team to reach the knockout stages, earned the victory 1-0 in a hard-fought match. The lone score came from forward Catalina Usme in the second half. Usme, Colombia’s all-time leading goal scorer, took an incredible pass from teammate Ana Guzman from across the field and found the left-hand side of the net for a smooth goal.
“After the goal went into the net, I had all sorts of emotions,” Usme said. “During all the years in women’s football, it’s such a beautiful moment, giving us the possibility to make history for our country. But we can go beyond. We came here to play seven finals. And we need to go step by step.”
Colombian fans celebrated after the big win inside the stadium.
The family of phenom Linda Caicedo also enjoyed the victory from their home in Colombia.
Colombia now advances to another knockout match on Saturday (August 12) against England, which won on penalties (4-2) after a draw with Nigeria on Monday (August 7).
“The game against England, we came here to play seven finals,” Usme said. “We’re certain in our preparations. We’re dreaming big. We know we can pull it off. We can do it.”
Caicedo added: “We are three games away, but each time we get closer to the beautiful trophy that we really dream of. It’s difficult but not impossible. I know we can do it. The team really dreams of it. We want it. There is no obstacle that we can’t overcome.”
