Colombia v Jamaica
A 1-0 win for Colombia sees them make the quarterfinals for the first time, where they will face England. Jamaica’s World Cup journey comes to an end, however it has been a historical one for the nation, making the last sixteen for the first time in only their second appearance of the tournament.
Tactical Analysis: Colombia
Tactical Analysis: Colombia
Colombia lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, keeping the same formation from their 1-0 win over Morocco. They made only two changes to their starting line up, with 18 year old Ana Guzman making her senior competitive debut, replacing Manuela Vanegas who was suspended due to picking up two yellow cards. Diana Ospina replaced Daniela Montoya in the central defensive midfield position.
Colombia’s formation gave them the opportunity to showcase the attacking qualities that they possess, and have used in the tournament so far, facing a defensively strong side such as Jamaica. Due to Jamaica’s dominance in the central areas, Colombia had to make use of the channels, delivering the ball into the box from the wing. Colombia’s central midfielders of Bedoya and Ospina had less possession and time on the ball due to Jamaica’s dominance, meaning they had to make use of each ball and space that came their way.
Colombia opted to keep a strong defensive shape, with their fullbacks often staying alongside the centre halfs. Ana Guzman in left back stayed closer to the defensive line, but also made use of the left wing to help stop Jamaica attack and move the ball wide around a narrowly set up Jamaican side.
Throughout the first half, Colombia had many chances on goal, testing the goalkeeper but unable to find the net. They tried to find a solution to get a goal through set pieces, but the strongly defensive Jamaica made it a task for Colombia to do so. At corner set pieces, they committed players outside the box in order to try and play it short, which may have been reasoning for their inability to score from corners as they lacked numbers in a heavily dominated Jamaican penalty box.
To counter the threat which they faced by the dangerous centre forward of Khadija Shaw, Colombia often marked her with two or more players. In one of her attempts to have a shot on goal, she found herself surrounded by five players denying her the opportunity to get her shot away. At Jamaican goal kicks, she remained heavily marked, denying them an opportunity to break on goal.
Early in the second half Catalina Usme slotted the ball into the left side of the net in the 50th minute. Staying wide, she remained unmarked by the narrow Jamaican defence. She received a perfectly placed cross from Guzman Zapata, which she precisely placed into the back of the net.
Leicy Santos had an opportunity to further secure Colombia’s win in the 87th minute, receiving a ball from a recycled corner set piece, which she headed off the post. Following this goalscoring opportunity, she was replaced by Daniela Montoya in an attempt to find new momentum for Colombia to take them across the finish line.
Key Players: Colombia
- Catalina Usme
Catalina Usme scored the winning goal which took Colombia to the next round of the tournament. Her shot was perfectly placed and she stayed free to receive the ball. She was involved in many of Colombia’s attacking movements, offering support and finding herself in the box on many occasions.
- Mayra Ramirez
Leading the attacking line, Mayra Ramirez posed a threat to Jamaica, trying to take the ball round the narrow Jamaican defence. She was a key part of the attack, and remained a strong presence on the pitch for Colombia.
- Linda Caicedo
It is no surprise that young talent Linda Caicedo was a key part of Colombia’s gameplay. She dictated the pace of attack, having the ability to attack quickly. She had many chances to run at goal and moved the ball around the pitch, taking it round players with great technical ability
Tactical Analysis: Jamaica
Jamaica lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, moving from the 4-1-4-1 formation they used against Brazil and Panama, and returning to the formation in their 0-0 draw with France. Jamaica made only two changes to their starting line up with Atlanta Primus and Cheyna Matthews making way for Trudi Carter and Kiki Van Zanten.
Jamaica used their strong defensive set up to dominate the central areas, forcing Colombia to use the wide areas to attack. They remained narrow on many occasions in attempts to overload and dominate the Colombian team, shutting down their attack and denying them a winning goal.
Jamaica’s narrow set up had been successful for them throughout the first half but led to Colombia’s goal in the 50th minute. They set up their defensive line in a narrow manner when defending an attack, which left Usme with area on the opposite side, who the ball was switched to before scoring.
Jamaica had many attempts to attack, but found it hard to get past Colombia’s defence. Bunny Shaw often found herself surrounded by two to four players when in possession of the ball, making it difficult for the dangerous goalscorer to pose a threat to Colombia. They had a chance through a free kick in the 53rd minute, committing players into the box, but once cleared Caicedo made an attacking run towards the goal which Jamaica struggled to defend.
They attempted to bring new life to the pitch and create a new momentum which could bring a goal, making five substitutions during the second half.
Key Players: Jamaica
- Drew Spence
Drew Spence was a key part of Jamaica’s central area, being dominant on the ball. She made interceptions and played great balls to her teammates which could have led to goals. She was a leader in the midfield area which helped Jamaica remain solid in their central set up.
- Khadija Shaw
Bunny Shaw made use of the balls which she received, having to move the ball around multiple Colombian players who marked her and tried to stop the threat she posed. Shaw led the attacking line and made runs on goal, trying to find Jamaica a goal which would keep them in the game.