Paris 2024: Spain survives Colombia shock to keep Olympics golden dream alive

Aug 3, 2024 - 21:37

Spanish women's football team players celebrate after Irene Paredes scores a 90+7 minute equalizer against Colombia at the Women's Olympics football in Paris on Saturday, 3 August, 2024.

Paris Olympics,

Saturday, 3 August, 2024

McCreadie Andias

World champions Spain escaped elimination from the Women's football Olympics as they forced a 2-2 draw against a defiant Colombia in Paris on Saturday.

Spain women who are in search if their maiden Olympics gold medal had to equalize in added time to force the match into extra time.

Chelsea's Mayra Ramirez put Colombia ahead in the 12th minute as she made well of Maria Santos's delivery.

Santos doubled the advantage for Colombia in the 52nd minute forcing manager Montserrat into quick tactical changes.

Real Madrid's Oga Carmona and Barcelona and two time Ballon D'OR winner Alexis Putellas, were forced out for Alba Redondo and Jenni Hermoso respectively.

The changes seemed to bear fruits as Hermoso pulled one back in the 79th minute taking advantage of a perfect delivery from Barcelona's Salma Paraluello.

The match grew hot for Colombia in the dying minutes of the game leading to double substitution of both Colombia's goalscorers for a solid Defence to protect the narrow lead.

However, Spain kept pushing and Colombia's walls didn't hold Long enough as Barcelona's defender Irene Paredes struck the ball into the back of the net to set the game on level terms at the 90+7 minute. Salma Paraluello was yet again the same cook of the goal.

A dry extra time forced the match into penalty shootouts where Marion Cadentry, Ewwa Navarro, Salma Paraluello and Finally Aitana Bonmati, all did justice from 12 yards after Colombia's Usme and Carabali failed to convert their penalties.

Spain, one of the Olympics women's favorites will battle France or Brazil in the Semi Finals as they face still competing from fourth time world champions USA in their quest for Gold.

Meanwhile, USA needed an extra time magic to force their Quater final victory Against an aggressive Japan with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Trinity Rodman.

USA will face either Germany or defending champions Canada in the semi Finals.