With a goal from Linda Caicedo, Colombia defeated South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday and qualified for the quarterfinals of the U20 Women’s World Cup, where Brazil and Spain maintained their unbeaten record and also entered the top eight of the youth tournament.
Real Madrid striker Caicedo scored the winning goal in the 64th minute for the Colombian team, which was supported by more than 35,000 people at the Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali.
“I am very happy to be in my homeland, with my people. It is nice to see the stadium so full,” said the forward, who has scored 10 goals in 19 World Cup appearances. “We played a great game, the game of our lives.”
After scoring in his debut against Australia, Caicedo counts among his achievements having scored in four World Cups, following victories in the U17 and U20 competitions in 2022, and in the senior World Cup in 2023.
In a match fought against a strong South Korean defense, Colombia broke the deadlock with a collective action in which Caicedo received a through ball from Sintia Cabezas and defined in front of the exit of the South Korean goalkeeper Seobin Woo.
“It’s important that the goal opened for me. We only thought about enjoying ourselves and we handled the match calmly, which we knew would be difficult,” added the 19-year-old.
After defeating Australia, Cameroon and Mexico in the group stage, La Tricolor recorded its fourth consecutive victory and ended the day as the only team that has not conceded a goal in the U-20 World Cup.
Colombia will find out its quarter-final opponent on Thursday after the clash between France and the Netherlands.
BRAZIL QUALIFIES IN OVERTIME
In Bogota, Dudinha’s extra-time double helped Brazil come from behind to beat Cameroon 3-1.
The Sao Paulo attacker is participating for the second time in the U20 World Cup after competing in the 2022 competition held in Costa Rica, where the Brazilians finished in third place.
Cameroon, who were competing in the youth competition for the first time, took the lead in the 23rd minute with forward Naomi Eto scoring a fourth goal.
Brazil — which completed the first phase against Fiji, France and Canada with 14 goals scored and a clean sheet — began the road to a comeback in the 35th minute with a penalty converted by Priscila.
Striker Natália Vendito, the championship’s top scorer with five goals, was left without a goal for the first time in four appearances.
The Brazilians’ opponent will come from the clash between North Korea and Austria.
CHAMPIONS STILL IN THE RACE
With more haste than expected, Spain, the current champion of the competition, defeated Canada 2-1.
After dominating Group C in the opening round against the United States, Paraguay and Morocco, La Roja suffered their first defeat in the competition with Florianne Jourde’s goal in the 64th minute.
Spain reacted quickly and turned the score around with goals from Jone Amezaga in the 64th minute and Silvia Lloris nine minutes from the end.
Amezaga, who was already U-17 world champion in 2022, reached three goals in the tournament.
The next step for the Spanish team in their attempt to defend their title will be against the winner of the match between Japan and Nigeria.
UNITED STATES ELIMINATES MEXICO
In another match that was decided in extra time, the United States defeated Mexico 3-2.
A goal from Jordynn Dudley seven minutes into extra time allowed the three-time champions of the category to continue their quest for the trophy they have not won since 2012.
