- Dave Donnelly
- Sun, Jul 30 2023
Manuela Vanegas headed home deep in injury time as Colombia stunned one of the pre-tournament favourites at Sydney Football Stadium.
Germany appeared to have salvaged a point - at least - when Alexandra Popp’s injury-time penalty cancelled out a superb opener from teenage sensation Linda Caicedo.
The Colombians, who saw off South Korea in their opening clash, led for the majority of the second half and were posed few problems by a lethargic German side.
Caiceido’s curled finish was no more than they deserved for a superb opening 50 minutes but they were undone when keeper Catalina Perez brought down Lina Oberdorf.
Popp - who looked off-colour following an early blow to the ribs from Colombia defender Daniela Arias - dispatched nervily from the spot.
But far from going into their shell, Colombia rocked back and sealed a deserved win as Vanegas nodded home a corner from sub Leicy Santos.
The sides came into the game level at the top after one game - and joined by Morocco, who had earlier ended South Korea’s involvement - but the differences were stark.
Germany are ranked second in the world, behind holders the United States and two spots ahead of European champions England, while Colombia ranked 25th coming into the tournament.
Any sense the Colombians may be overawed were quickly dispelled as, even without suspended coach Nelson Abadia, they quickly tore into their opponents.
Arias winded Popp with a meaty challenge - the sort Ireland players took issue with in their pre-tournament friendly(ish) - and their pace out wide caused Germany problems.
18-year-old Caicedo, who lined out from the start despite collapsing in training on Friday, was a live-wire on the left side of the South Americans’ attack.
And they were encouraged as Mayra Ramirez nodded just wide from a corner early doors, a confidence that would build through the half.
The Germans’ frustration began to show as the half drew to a close as Wolfsburg star Popp passed up a great chance as she skied a volley from 12 yards.
Colombia, meanwhile, seemed to sense there was something in it for them as Lorena Bedoya Durango - whose foul on Denise O’Sullivan caused the Ireland game to be called off - sent an audacious 30-yarder onto the roof of the net.
And they took the lead seven minutes after the break as Bedoya’s shot was deflected into the path of Caicedo, who dropped a shoulder before curling expertly into the top corner.
Germany were shell-shocked and struggled to regain their composure as Oberdorf was booked for a cynical foul on Santos.
The European Championships semi-finalists had a string of set-pieces and speculative efforts from distance but struggled to create anything clear-cut.
That was until two minutes from time when a slick passing move saw sub Lea Schuller flick through for Oberdorf, who nicked the ball past Perez before taking the contact.
Popp went straight down the middle and levelled up the tie but, for all their urgency, Germany did not look confident of taking the three points.
And in the end they took none, as Santos’ corner was emphatically finished by Vanegas to put Colombia into the last 16.
Germany: Merle Frohms; Sara Doorsoun-Khajeh (Sjoeke Nusken 46), Chantel Hagel, Kathrin-Julia Hendrich, Svenja Huth; Jule Brand, Klara Bühl (Nicole Anyomi 76), Sara Däbritz, Lina Magull (Lea Schüller 67), Lena Oberdorf; Alexandra Popp-Höppe.
Subs not used: Stina Johannes, Ann-Katrin Berger, Marina Hegering, Sophia Kleinherne, Felicitas Rauch, Laura Freigang, Lena Lattwein, Melanie Leupolz, Sydney Lohmann.
Booked: Lena Oberdorf (57).
Colombia: Catalina Perez; Daniela Arias, Carolina Arias Vidal, Jorelyn Carabali (Monica Ramos 90), Manuela Vanegas; Lady Andrade (Leicy Santos 54), Lorena Bedoya Durango, Daniela Montoya (Diana Ospina 67); Linda Caicedo (Marcela Restrepo 90), Mayra Ramirez, Catalina Usme.
Subs not used: Natalia Giraldo, Ana Guzmán, Ángela Barón, Daniela Caracas, María Camila Reyes, Ivonne Chacon, Elexa Bahr.
Booked: Lorena Bedoya Durango (62), Diana Ospina (80), Catalina Perez (88).
Referee: Melissa Borjas (Honduras).
Attendance: 40,499 (official).
extratime.com Player of the Match: Linda Caiceido (Colombia).
