July 25, 2022, 10:40 PM
July 25, 2022, 10:40 PM
Colombia qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics by defeating Argentina 1-0 this Monday in the semifinals of the Copa América, in the Colombian city of Bucaramanga.
A goal by Linda Caicedo in minute 63 brought joy to an undefeated team that had as squires the thousands of fans of the Alfonso López stadium.
The goal unbalanced a duel in which Colombia, accustomed to good play, He had to change the script against a tough rival who stood up despite pressure from the stands.
Under that plan, the Albiceleste began dominating the match in the first quarter of an hour. From the coffee bank, DT Nelson Abadía ventured with a new attacking strategy to change the course of the match.
Star Leicy Santos, who began playing as a right winger, moved to center. In her replacement, Catalina Usme was located in that sector, far from her usual territory at the tip. So Colombia shook and began to frequent the opposite goal.
On the left side, the elusive Linda Caicedo asserted her 17 years and ran like a gazelle against right back Gabriel Chávez, who received an early yellow card.
From the direction of Argentina did not arrive an indication as sagacious as the one of Abadía. Coach Germán Portanova was not present due to accumulation of yellow cards and his assistant Sebastián Gómez replaced him.
The first half ended with a disallowed goal for Caicedo for an alleged hand signaled by the referee, although the ball hit his chest. Forward Mayra Ramírez crashed a ball into the crossbar.
In the second half, the central judge, María Belén Carvajal, became the villain of the more than 13,000 fans by not award a penalty in favor of the locals.
But in minute 63, Caicedo motivated to change the fury for joy by scoring the goal. The winger received a ball in the area, briefly outlined with her left leg and crossed the ball to goalkeeper Vanina Correa.
The party grew with the passing of the minutes in the stands and reached one of its peaks with the expulsion of the Chávez side in minute 74. Until the end, an “ole” was heard from the fans.
Now Colombia waits for the winner of the duel between Brazil and Paraguaywhich is played on Tuesday, in the Copa América final.
The tournament grants three direct places to the World Cup and two to the 2014 Paris Olympic Games. Argentina will play that last nonstop ticket to New Zealand and Australia 2023 against the loser between Brazilians and Paraguayans.
Colombia last played a World Cup in Canada 2015 and some Olympics in Rio de Janeiro-2016.
