England overcome Colombia to set up round of 16 tie
England recorded a 2-1 victory over Colombia in their final Group F encounter, to ensure they set-up a last 16 meeting with Norway.
A close range effort from Karney Carney in the first half was added to from the spot by Fara Williams, and despite a consolation goal from Lady Andrade late on, victory was secured as the Three Lionesses finished second in the group with six points from nine.
Carney handed her side the lead after Steph Houghton’s powerful free-kick could only be parried by Colombian goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda. The Birmingham City striker, who also scored against Mexico in her last outing, pounced on the rebound from an awkward angle and did well to slot home the finish to make 1-0 on 13 minutes.
A 38th international goal for Williams soon doubled the lead for England, as the midfielder smashed home from the penalty spot after an unfortunate handball in the box by a panicked Colombian defence was adjudged to be deliberate by referee Carol Anne Chenard. The chance again initiating from a set-piece.
Colombia had already secured their place in the knockout rounds of the tournament heading in to the game, having notched up 4 points in their opening two matches which was enough to, at the very least, see them progress as a best third-placed team. However, victory against England would see them top the group and Lady Andrade looked a threat of making that scenario come to fruition all evening.
England, however, proved their worth from set-pieces, constantly drawing fouls from the Colombians all game and creating chances from the resulting free kicks. Toni Duggan and Jade Moore worked tirelessly down the flanks and in and around the middle of the park to win the ball back and create crossing opportunities, whilst the Lionesses got players back to help out the defence and crowd out their opponents in the box whenever they threatened.
After dominating proceedings, England were nearly caught out on the stroke of half time when their back four were left flat-footed leaving Natalia Gaitan with a shooting opportunity. Karen Bardsley, who had little to do in the first half, came rushing out to smother the danger and managed to block Gaitan’s effort at point-blank range, taking the defender out in the process, to prevent her side’s lead being cut in half before the break.
Bardsley was called in to action once more in the second half but was well beaten by a Yoreli Rincon shot that luckily for England went just over the crossbar, following a quick Colombia free kick.
The South American’s appeared to develop more as a threat as the play went on, but the Three Lionesses also proved they could put the game out of reach when Lianne Sanderson connected with the upright from a tight angle, helped on by Sepulveda‘s fingertips.
The substitute then had another golden opportunity following a low drilled Jordan Nobbs cross, but the Arsenal lady mistimed the finish and it hit her standing foot.
Mark Sampson then brought on Jodie Taylor for England meaning all 20 of his outfield players featured within the successful group stage. The striker, who players her domestic football in the USA, found herself on the end of a long ball and round the back of the Colombian defence late on in the match, but was hacked down by Sepulveda, after knocking the ball past the number one, who only saw yellow for the challenge.
The final action of the fixture then fell to Colombia who once again took advantage of England’s woeful record of conceding late goals, dangerwoman Andrade poking the ball over Karen Bardsley with 30 seconds left on the clock after the Lionesses appeals for offside, correctly, fell on deaf ears.
Missing out on top spot due to goal difference, England will now prepare to face Norway on Monday, with the Scandanavian nation ranked just five places below Mark Sampson’s side.