Six days removed from the result heard around the world, the United States and Mexico came into its respective W Gold Cup quarterfinal matches with something to prove.
The United States looked to show that its shocking 2-0 loss to Mexico back on February 26 was nothing more than a blip on the radar, while Mexico looked to prove that result was no fluke and that they are serious contenders in the tournament. At the end of the day, both the USWNT and Las Tri got what they wanted at BMO Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles, as the United States asserted themselves against Colombia and Mexico further proved themselves against Paraguay.
USA 3, Colombia 0
Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw found the back net in the first half, and the USWNT rode those goal also while also weathering several threatening moments from Colombia, as the US put the loss to Mexico behind them and booked a semifinal matchup with rival Canada on Wednesday night in San Diego.
The USA got its first chance starting in the 10th minute. Horan played Morgan into the penalty area, Jorelyn Carabalí pushed Alex Morgan from behind as she got to the ball and the referee signaled the US to the penalty spot. Three minutes later, Horan converted from the spot to open the scoring for the USA.
The USA maintained its aggressiveness after taking the lead. Shaw pounced on a couple of miscues to get two chances art goal, but both shot just barely missed the framework. The USWNT did find that second goal in the 22nd minute as Naomi Girma sent a free kick from the back to Morgan, who then flicked a header to Jenna Nighswonger, and she one-timed a left-footed shot past Giraldo off the far post but into the back net to double the advantage. Shaw eventually got her goal just before halftime, as Emily Fox played Trinity Rodman into the penalty area, Rodman crossed into the six-yard box and Shaw beat Carolina Arias to the ball and one-timed a ball past Giraldo into the back net for a goal that proved to be an early knockout blow for Colombia. Horan came within inches of slamming the proverbial door shut right before the whistle, as she sent a free kick off the post.
Both teams were certainly fired up for this match. The opening moments were chippy, with both sides getting into confrontations, which resulted in a combined four yellow cards being issued during a 10-minute span in the first half. Nevertheless, Colombia had its chances, the first coming in the 32dn minute when Linda Caicedo received a pass from Manuela Vanegas, dribbled forward, saw a sightline and unleashed a right-footed volley from about 26 yards that was on target towards the back post, but keeper Alyssa Naeher, who on Sunday earned her 100th cap, parried the ball over the end line. Naeher’s following save however might have been her best, and it came in the 38th minute, as Arias crossed into the penalty area and Ilana Izquierdo Zanger took the sliding shot, but a quick reaction by Naeher allowed her to get her left hand on the ball and parry it over the end line.
Mexico 3, Paraguay 2
Mexico, looking to ride the momentum of its historic win over the USWNT, were carried by Lizbeth Ovalle, as she had a brace in the match, Karen Luna contributed a goal and keeper Esthefanny Barreras stopped a key penalty early in the second half as Mexico booked its spot in the semifinals by winning a shootout with Paraguay.
Mexico jumped ahead in the 31st minute, as Mayra Pelayo Bernal crossed to Ovalle, who brought the ball down, then fired a left-footed volley that beat keeper Alicia Bobadilla far post to stake Mexico to the lead. Mexico doubled the advantage in the 51st minute, as Ovalle sent a corner kick into the penalty area, the ball eventually found the feet of Luna, who then blasted a left-footed shot into the back net uncontested.
Destiny really appeared to be on Mexico’s side in the 51st minute. It started when Mexico defender Nicolette Hernandez fouled Jessica Martinez from behind inside the penalty area and Paraguay was awarded the penalty. Martinez stepped up to the spot, but Barreras came through between the pipes, first by denying Martinez on the penalty, then denying Martinez on the rebound chance.
Paraguay however did not go down without a fight. Camila Barbosa got Paraguay on the board in the 64th minute, as she headed home a Dulce Quintana corner kick to cut Mexico’s lead in half. Mexico however had a response, as Stephany Mayor pounced on a miscue and broke for goal. Mayor dribbled to the top of the penalty area, fired the shot, but was saved by Bobadilla. Valle however had trailed the play, and she got to the loose ball and fired the rebound into the open net to restore the two-goal advantage. Paraguay however kept the pressure on Mexico to close out the match, as Rebecca Fernandez scored two minutes later to cut the deficit back to one goal. Mexico however was able to hold on for the win.