World champions Spain produced a gritty penalty shootout comeback win over Colombia to secure their place in the 2024 Olympics semi-finals.
After going 2-0 down to the plucky South Americans, La Roja found two late goals to pull the scoreline even, including a 97th minute equaliser from captain Irene Paredes. When nothing could separate the two sides after extra time, Spain emerged triumphant from the shootout, with Aitana Bonmatí dispatching the winning spot-kick.
Colombia exit the tournament heartbroken while Spain progress to the final four, ready to face either France or Brazil.
Starting XIs
Spain
Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona, Guijarro, Bonmatí, Putellas, Del Castillo, Paralluelo, Caldentey
Colombia
Tapia; C. Arias, D. Arias, Carabalí, Vanegas, Restrepo, Usme, Paví, Santos, Caicedo, Ramírez
Spain shatter Colombian hearts
Colombia couldn’t have gotten their performance off to a more perfect start. After just 12 minutes of play, the returning Mayra Ramírez marked her comeback with a goal to take an early lead for the Powerpuff Girls. Apart from some early chances, Spain looked on the back-foot in the first half.
After the break, Colombia doubled their lead when Leicy Santos, who set up Ramírez’s opener, got herself on the scoresheet. The chance started from Linda Caicedo, who bolted down the wing and fired the ball in from a tight angle. Cata Coll in the Spanish goal pawed the shot away, but only as far as Santos in the box. The Washington Spirit star hooked the ball past Coll and wheeled away to celebrate Colombia’s second of the evening.
As the game approached the 80th minute, Colombia looked like they had one foot in the semi-finals. The resilient Powerpuff Girls had held their two-goal lead admirably but Jenni Hermoso sliced it in half with a cool finish inside the box. With a little more than 10 minutes to play, Spain shifted through the gears to find a way back into the match.
Deep into the 10 minutes of stoppage time, Paredes smashed home a huge captain’s effort to pull the scoreline square, utterly deflating Colombia. Spain earned a crucial lifeline in the form of extra time as they searched for the win. However, with nothing to separate the two sides after 120 minutes, penalties loomed.
Spain triumph from the spot
Despite a perfect start to the match, Colombia’s shootout did not follow suit. The South American side’s leading goalscorer Catalina Usme saw her opening penalty saved by Coll, giving an immediate advantage to Spain. Mariona Caldentey converted her attempt, followed by Manuela Vanegas, who got Colombia off the mark.
Liana Salazar’s miss put the match in Spain’s hands, as Eva Navarro and Salma Paralluelo made no mistake. Despite Jorelyn Carabalí converting for the Powerpuff Girls, Ballon d’Or winner Bonmatí sent the world champions into the final four.
