France thrash Morocco as Colombia win to complete quarter-final line-up | OneFootball

The final two Women’s World Cup last 16 games took place on Tuesday with Colombia facing Jamaica and France taking on Morocco.

Here’s what happened.

France sail through in style

Scorers: Diani 15′, Dali 20′, Le Sommer 23′, 70′

France continued to display formidable form as they blew Morocco away early to book their place in the World Cup quarter-final.

A dominant France start was rewarded with the opening goal after 15 minutes as Kadidiatou Diani nodded home from close range to keep her hot streak going after being picked out by a cross from the left.

Just five minutes later, they had their second as Diani turned provider, cutting the ball back inside the area for Kenza Dali to steer in first time via the post with a neat finish.

Showing no indication to slow down, Eugénie Le Sommer got in on the act moments later as good pressure from Diani forced an error inside the box and the veteran pounced to score.

France did have further opportunities to add to that lead after the interval but were made to wait until 20 minutes to go for their fourth as Le Sommer was found with a deep back post cross and headed home at the near post to complete the scoring.

They will now face hosts Australia in Brisbane this weekend.

Usme brilliance enough for Colombia

Scorers: Usme 51′

Two of the World Cup’s surprise sides met in Melbourne to reach a first ever quarter-final and it was Colombia who claimed that berth.

England were the side waiting to see who would win out here and, as was expected, it was a nervy opening quarter.

Neither side really wanted to push up and go all-out attack with Colombia looking slightly more dangerous when they had the chance to quickly transition from defence to attack.

In fact, Jamaica were determined to turn this game into a disjointed, physical battle with both Dew Spence and Chantelle Swaby getting booked in the first half.

It didn’t take long for Colombia to open the scoring after the break though.

Catalina Usme took a brilliant touch inside the area and finished superbly with her left foot.

The game then blew open as Jody Brown’s header hit the post for the Reggae Girlz before Linda Caicedo went up the other end and fluffed a golden Colombia chance.

The Caribbean side were pushing hard for that equaliser and almost got it with 10 minutes to go as Spence flicked an effort from close range at goal but the ball went agonisingly wide of the far post.