The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThe Sports Lowdown’s definitive Women’s World Cup catch-up continues as Day 12 saw the final games in Groups E and F. Which team has the determination and skill to progress further in Canada 2015?
ENGLAND 2 COLOMBIA 1
England sealed their place in the last 16 of the tournament after securing Group F’s runners-up spot with another fine display over Colombia.
In a evenly-matched game the Lionesses took the lead through midfielder Karen Carney after captain Steph Houghton’s free-kick was parried into her path by goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda.
Then with 7 minutes of the first half remaining, England were awarded a penalty after Colombia’s Caroline Arias had been harshly judged to have handled in the area, Liverpool’s Fara Williams duly slotted the spot kick home.
England’s Karen Bardsley had an excellent game and prevented Mark Sampson’s sides lead being halved with a fantastic piece of goalkeeping just before the break.
However, deep into second half stoppage time, Colombian Lady Andrade lifted the ball over Bardsley and yet again, England had failed to keep a clean sheet. This will be a concern as The Lionesses look to progress in the competition.
England will now face Norway in Ottawa, whilst Colombia take on the USA in Edmonton on Monday 22 June.
England:
Bardsley, A. Scott, Williams, Houghton ©, Nobbs, Carney (Sanderson 56), Moore, Greenwood, Stoney, Duggan (Taylor 81), Kirby (Potter 66).
Colombia:
Sepulveda, Gaitan ©, Ospina (Santos 83), Montoya, Velasquez, Rincon (Ariza 74), Usme (Vidal 58), Clavijo, N. Arias, Andrade, C. Arias.
MEXICO 0 FRANCE 5
France made a supersonic start against Mexico as Marie Laurie Delie put Les Bleues ahead after only 35 seconds in Ottawa.
The French then quickly raced into a 4 goal lead before the break after Mexico defender Jennifer Ruiz had put the ball into her own net and then Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice as the game went away from Leonardo Cuellar’s side.
Veronica Perez had Mexico’s best and only real chance but her effort went high and wide as the second half was again played with Philippe Bergeroo side in complete control.
With 10 minutes to go, came a strike worthy of being the goal of the tournament, as Amandine Henry struck a sensational 25 yard shot that had goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago completely beaten.
France top Group F and now face the Koreans in Montreal on Saturday 20 June whilst Mexico wave goodbye to Canada 2015.
Mexico:
Santiago, Robles, Garciamendez, Miranda, Ruiz, Rangel © (Murillo 83), Corral (Romero 46), Mayor (Cuellar 46), Ocampo, Espinoza, Perez.
France:
Bouhaddi, Renard ©, Bolleau (Delannoy 78), Georges, Henry, Le Sommer (Thiney 63), Abily (Bussaglia 70), Thomis, Delie, Majri.
