In a thrilling encounter at the Women’s World Cup, Colombia secured a stunning 2-1 victory over Germany with a last-gasp header from Manuela Vanegas in the 97th minute.
Germany’s skipper Alexandra Popp seemed to have salvaged a draw with a composed penalty kick in the 89th minute, but the late drama unfolded as Vanegas sealed the win with a close-range header deep into stoppage time.
Earlier in the game, Linda Caicedo’s spectacular goal in front of a vibrant crowd of 40,000 in Sydney set the tone for the dramatic contest. With this victory, Colombia took the top spot in Group H with a perfect six points, leaving Germany and Morocco with three points each, creating an intense battle for advancement.
Reflecting on the momentous win, Vanegas, the defender, expressed her joy at scoring a goal in the World Cup and emphasized Colombia’s emergence as a world power in football.
On the other hand, Germany’s coach, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, acknowledged that her team should have settled for a draw in the closing stages.
The match was marked by passionate Colombian fans who outnumbered the German supporters at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The first half saw Germany dominating possession, but Colombia’s resilience thwarted their attempts. In the second half, the Colombian teenager, Caicedo, showcased her talent with a brilliant strike that left the German defence stunned.
As the game approached its climax, Germany pushed hard for an equalizer, but Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez’s challenge on Lena Oberdorf resulted in Popp’s penalty goal. However, Vanegas’s late header sealed the dramatic victory for Colombia, leaving German fans disappointed.
In another Women’s World Cup fixture on the same day, Morocco made history by securing their first-ever victory in the tournament with a 1-0 triumph over South Korea, who struggled to produce any shots on target.
The Women’s World Cup continues to deliver exciting moments, with surprises and thrilling matches captivating fans worldwide.
