Having never lost a major international match to Colombia the United States women, already well-positioned to win Group G, were expected to comfortably pick up a third win in as many matches. But things didn’t go as planned, with the South American side putting forth a tougher challenge than expected. Catalina Usme’s left-footer free kick in the 90th minute pulled Colombia level, with the match finishing in a 2-2 draw in Manaus.
Yet even with the surprising result the United States won Group G, finishing on seven points with France, 3-0 winners over New Zealand, finishing second on six points. Next up for the Americans is a quarterfinal match in Brasilia Friday against Sweden, which finished third in Group E.
MORE: Hope Solo: “We got our point”
Colombia opened their account in the 26th minute on an Usme free kick that was poorly handled by keeper Hope Solo. Usme’s shot dipped, slipping through Solo’s hands and going into the net. Solo, who picked up her 200th international cap in the win over France, did not have her best night in goal for the United States. However the Americans would even the score in the 42nd minute as Crystal Dunn cleaned up a rebound from a Carli Lloyd shot that caromed off the crossbar.
The United States appeared to be in control of the match early in the second half, culminating in Mallory Pugh’s goal in the 60th minute to make the score 2-1. With her goal Pugh, just 18 years old, became the youngest American goal scorer in Olympic history. But the Colombians continued to attack, ultimately earning the free kick opportunity for Usme in the final minute of regulation time.
WATCH: Catalina Usme’s match-tying free kick
Also of note for the United States was the tournament debut of midfielder Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe, who tore the ACL in her right knee in early December, played 32 minutes before being replaced by Pugh in the 33rd minute.
The other quarterfinal match-ups are Brazil vs. Australia, Canada vs. France and Germany vs. China.