Colombia secures spot in final 8 for the very first time after win over Jamaica

The first South American nation in 12 years (and the first-ever not called Brazil) to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, Colombia are favorited to win over England

In a historic moment, Colombia has advanced to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals, marking the first time in the nation’s history, following a tense 1-0 triumph over Jamaica in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Catalina Usme’s remarkable goal broke through Jamaica’s resolute defense, making her the first player in this tournament to achieve such a feat.

As a reward for their achievement, the Colombians are set to face the reigning European champion and world No.4, England, in Sydney on Saturday. Despite the substantial 21-place gap in world rankings, the South American squad boasts the potential to secure victory in the match.

No World Cup without underdogs’ success

The remarkable and unexpected journeys of Colombia and Jamaica to the knockout stages have contributed significantly to elevating this tournament’s status. The allure of sports is often found in traditional powerhouses stumbling while underdogs flourish against all odds.

Considering both teams were accustomed to facing opponents anticipated to outperform them in the group stage, they encountered difficulties seizing control of this knockout match, leading to limited opportunities on both sides.

But still, by narrowly outperforming Jamaica, Colombia is the first South American country since Brazil in 2011 to reach the quarterfinals.