PREVIEW – Colombia v Canada is the last group stage game for both teams. Colombia right now has three points with one win and one loss while Canada has zero points, with two wins, which takes into account the six-point penalty imposed by FIFA.
Note: Extra-time and/or penalties wins or losses count as draws with the teams in the form of the last five games.
Colombia v Canada: Canada Looks to Advance and Do the Impossible
Colombia
As mentioned by Lucy Jones of the Her Football Hub, the Colombians provided a lot of pressure throughout the game. An example, would be when Jones said that Colombia started the game strong in her article:
After Marcelo Restrepo scored, Leicy Santos got the all-important insurance goal in the 72 minute as Colombia did not look like they would lose against New Zealand. Also, nicknamed the Las Chicas Superpoderosas, Colombia, like Canada, have scored four goals and have four different goal-scorers. The other goal-scorers from the 3-2 loss against France were Maria Usme and Manuela Pevi.
Canada (3-0-2)
The CANWNT had an improbable comeback with all odds against them against France in Paris 2024. However, the CANWNT were able to come up with probably their biggest performance since Tokyo 2020 and defeat a number two ranked side in France. This was a must-win situation after the drone scandal involving Canada’s coaching staff where Canada was deducted six points by FIFA. This is what Vanessa Gilles said after the game (Source: Abhishek Mishra of Essentially Sports):
“Our pride to prove people wrong. Our pride to represent this country.” Gilles then talked about her team’s values being questioned: “It’s not us, like I’ve said, time and time again defending ourselves. We’re not cheaters. We’re a damn good players, we’re a damn good team and we’re a damn good group and we proved that today.”
Gilles is right on about that the Canadian players showed character with all the challenges they had to face, which was no fault of their own. They are now just a win away from what was seen as an impossible task to make the knockout stage. Gilles also follows other Canadian players of scoring their first-ever goal in an Olympic game after Evelyne Viens and Cloé Lacasse.
It is important to note that the other goal scored was by Jessie Fleming. She has excelled with the team as she has been involved in three of Canada’s four goals in the tournament and has one goal and one assist.
READ MORE: The CANWNT Starts Olympic Campaign with A Win
Head-To-Head and Players to Watch
Both senior national teams have only played each other twice in both their national team’s history. They were both also narrow Canada wins with a 2-1 win in the Pan American Games Women as well as a 1-0 win in 2012 friendly against Colombia.
Colombia has yet to register a win against Canada’s best starting 11, and they have a chance to do that in their first-ever Olympic appearance.
For Canada, Jade Rose had a fantastic game against France. For the offence of Colombia, she will be a player that they must watch. Other players to watch includes Gilles and Fleming, with both players having big roles in the team, along with centre-back, Kadeisha Buchanan.
As for Colombia, there is the teenage forward, Linda Caicedo, who made her debut with the national team at only 14 years of age with nine goals scored in 32 appearances since 2019. The 19-year-old also currently plays for Real Madrid Femenino. Another forward to pay attention to that North American fans might be familiar with is NWSL’s Racing Louisville forward, Elexa Bahr. In 21 appearances for the national team since 2021, she has scored one goal.
How To Watch the Game
READ MORE: The 2024 CanWNT Olympic Roster Reveal Includes Cloé Lacasse
Fans can watch the game nationally on CBC on Wednesday at 3:00pm ET. It will take place at Stade de Nice, Nice. Also, Canada Soccer and the Canada Olympic Committee have decided to appeal the decision made by FIFA. A decision is expected to be determined sometime on Wednesday according to The Canadian Press.
However, if Canada wins against Colombia on Wednesday, they will not need to worry about the above and book their place in the quarter-finals as a second-placed team, despite the points deduction of six points. There is also a small chance that Canada could finish first in the group if New Zealand beats France, but it would also require New Zealand aka the Black Ferns to have a worse goal-differential than Canada.
Photo Credit: CANWNT X Account on July 28, 2024.
