FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Colombia stick to plan, oust Mexico

Margao: Knowing your opposition well can help, but analysing them can be fruitful. Colombia learnt this the right way.
When Colombia played Mexico in friendlies ahead of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, they didn’t get the desired results with their attacking game.
On Tuesday, coach Carlos Paniagua changed the game plan and reaped rewards as Colombia defeated last editions runnersup Mexico 2-1 to qualify for the quarterfinals in their fifth attempt at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
Colombia had never moved beyond the group stage at this level, but Juana Ortegon’s splendid 41st minute strike gave them hope and then captain Linda Caicedo (74’) sealed all points with her third goal in as many matches.
Mexico did reduce the margin in the 81st minute through an own goal but it was too little too late.
“Last time when we played a friendly against Mexcio in high pressure, they hurt us. So, the plan today was to give the ball to them and wait. It worked. Maybe they had the ball, but we had the goals and the opportunities,” Carlos said after the match.
Mexico had 58 percent of the ball throughout the 90 minutes.
It was always going to be a dicey group C encounter with defending champions Spain and strong China also locked on three points each, playing simultaneously in Mumbai.
Tatiana Flores, who scored nine goals in the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship, was the sole striker upfront for Mexico. The Chelsea striker, who has also featured for England, was a constant threat as she tried to create space for herself and open her account in the tournament.
At the other end, Colombia were dependent on their attacking pairing of Orianna Quintero and Linda, whose brace secured them a 2-0 win against China to keep their hopes alive.
Mexico were easily the better team in the first session. They saw more of the ball, had better passing accuracy and looked like the side that would score first.
But Colombia had other plans and turned the tables on their rivals.
Colombia maintained pressure on the edge of the box and broke the deadlock against the run of play with four minutes remaining for the break. Juana had the ball right in the centre of the 18-yard-box. Even as a rival player attempted to shield goalkeeper Renatta Cota, Juana made space and unleashed a right-footer which hit the horizontal bar and sailed inside.
Changing ends, Linda was in the thick of the action as she provided a perfect cross, only for Gabriela Rodriguez to head wide.
Mexico made desperate attempts to get back into the game. Valerie Vargas’ dangerous freekick went in vain as none of her teammates could connect at the far post, while her next attempt also went wide after she was moved upfront in place of the substituted Tatiana.
At this point, Spain had already taken the lead against China. But Colombia didn’t leave anything to chance, especially Linda who pounced on the given opportunity and clinically chipped the ball over onrushing Renatta.
Mexico kept pushing. Nine minutes before the end of regulation time, captain Alice Soto connected a perfect volley off a corner by Valerie, which deflected off Linda. That, however, was the lone moment of joy for Mexico.
Colombia finished top of the group with six points, ahead of Spain on goal difference.