It was South American success on day four of Colombia 2024 with Brazil and the hosts advancing while Canada rocked Fiji and Mexico rolled Australia.
Brazil and Colombia have become the first nations to secure a spot in the knockout stage at the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™. A dazzling first half display, lit up by Vendito, was the platform for Brazil's dominant win against France while substitute Yesica Munoz settled things for Colombia midway through the second half in Bogota.
Elsewhere, Mexico took a huge step towards progressing, and dented Australia’s hopes in the process, with a 2-0 win against the Young Matildas in Bogota while Fiji suffered a second straight 9-0 defeat, this time at the hands of Canada.
Mexico 2-0 Australia
Mexico secured their first win at Colombia 2024, as goals from Fatima Servin and Alejandra Lomeli helped them see off Australia in the capital.
The Young Matildas looked set to open the scoring in the first half, but failed to convert a penalty kick. El Tricolor took full advantage after the interval with a pair of goals to move to four points after two matches, while Australia are still searching for their first points.
Key stats
Mexico are unbeaten in their last five group matches at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Australia have lost their last four outings at the tournament without scoring a goal.
What they said....
"It was an extremely difficult match, they [Mexico] will go far in this World Cup. In terms of the defensive discipline and the improvement in our game plan, there is still more work to do." - Leah Blayney, Australia head coach
France 0-3 Brazil
Brazil became the first nation to secure a second round berth as a dazzling first half helped them to a 3-0 win over France.
The deadly Vendito bagged a first half brace – the first a cheeky, goal-line, back-heel finish and the second a powerful blast from inside the box after delightful build-up play – to go top of the adidas Golden Boot race.
Priscila added a third with a quarter of an hour remaining in another outstanding performance from A Selecao; France now needing to re-group ahead of their final group match against Fiji on Friday.
Key stats
Brazil have now won their past four group matches at the U-20 Women's World Cup, without conceding a goal. This was just France's second defeat in their past 14 group stage matches.
What they said....
"We certainly need to celebrate [having qualified to the Round of 16] because it's a huge thing, but soon we have another important match against Canada. Bogota has a higher altitude, but I believe we will deal just fine it with."
Rosana, Brazil head coach
Colombia 1-0 Cameroon
Once again they came, in their thousands, decked in yellow. Once again Colombia delivered. The hosts’ second straight win in the capital was enough to secure progression to the knockout stage with a match to spare; the final outing with Mexico will settle whether that’s as group winners or not.
After a tight opening period, it was substitute Yesica Munoz that settled things in the capital as she rose to meet a Gabriela Rodriguez cross and thump home a header that flew in off the bar.
Both nations had late chances, Munoz spurning two and Naomi Eto being thwarted by Luisa Agudelo in the Colombian goal in a frantic final stanza, but the hosts prevailed to secure the luxury of early progression.
Key stats
Colombia have lost only one of their previous eight group matches at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Having banked a point in their opening fixture, debutants Cameroon will be aiming for more when they meet Australia in their final group match on 6 September.
Fiji 0-9 Canada
The attacking fireworks continued for Canada, as Annabelle Chukwu had a hat-trick and two assists to spearhead a 9-0 win against Fiji. Olivia Smith and Kayla Briggs bagged braces as well, helping edge Canada closer to a spot in the knockout stage, while Fiji remain searching for their first point.
Canada now have 12 goals through their first two matches at Colombia 2024, thanks in large part to an impressive first half that saw them hold a 7-0 halftime lead with Chukwu, Smith and Briggs accounting for all the scoring. Ella Ottey and Ella McBridge’s second half goals rounded out a complete performance from the North Americans.
Key stats...
Canada recorded their first victory in nine matches at the U-20 Women's World Cup.
Fiji registered a shot on goal for the second consecutive match.
