Calay News
Colombia’s women’s national soccer team scored a 2-0 victory over Panama in a friendly match in preparation for the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, held on Saturday in the Panamanian capital. The score was opened in the 34th minute with a goal by Colombian striker Catalina Usme, and Daniela Montoya secured the victory in the 86th minute. The match took place at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium in Panama City.
From the start, the Colombian team dominated the match and missed two scoring opportunities in the 7th and 8th minutes with headers from Manuela Vanegas and Jorelyn Carabalí, which went slightly wide after two consecutive corner kicks.
During the first half, the Colombians generated several dangerous chances in the Panamanian goal defended by Yenith Bailey, while the locals only managed a risky action with a tackle by their captain Natalia Mills, which was caught by the Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez in the 41st minute.
The first goal came from a side kick that allowed Usme to receive a pass from the right and finish inside the box in front of goalkeeper Bailey in the 34th minute.
At the start of the second half, the Colombians continued to put pressure on the Panamanian goal with three dangerous forays in the first ten minutes. However, the Panamanians reacted, and the match became more balanced until an excellent individual play by Mayra Ramírez on the right flank sent a cross into the box, and Daniela Montoya scored with a powerful shot in the 86th minute.
In the final minutes, the Colombians continued to create dangerous situations, and in the 90+2nd minute, Ivonne Chacón scored a goal, but the play was disallowed for offside.
Both teams will play a second friendly match in Cali next Wednesday. In the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which will start on July 20, Colombia will be part of Group H together with Germany, Morocco, and South Korea, while Panama will be in Group F together with France, Jamaica, and Brazil.
