Women's World Cup, Day 20: Jamaica's stunning run ends, France cruises onward

The final two teams have secured their place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup, meaning the journey ended for two other nations as the Round of 16 comes to a close.

Colombia's 51st-minute goal was enough to secure a win over the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica, while France cruised to a 4-0 win thanks to three goals in eight minutes, eliminating Morocco.

THE RESULTS

Round of 16: Colombia 1, Jamaica 0 (in Melbourne) – Game stats || Report 

Round of 16: France 4, Morocco 0 (in Hindmarsh) – Game stats || Report 

MAIN TALKING POINTS 

Captain Catalina Usme keeps Colombia's historic World Cup journey alive 

Whichever team progressed to the quarter-finals out of this knockout-round game would make history regardless, as neither side had ever made it to that stage before. And it was Colombia that got to keep its run going.

Jamaica's run of clean sheets ended as Becky Spencer and the team conceded a goal for the first time all tournament, thanks to a 52nd-minute strike from Colombia captain Catalina Usme.

The game was physical with a roaring crowd behind them, as Colombia had multiple chances in the first half, but Jamaica's strong defence kept it scoreless, blocking chances by Usme earlier.

Drew Spence and Chantelle Swaby were shown yellow cards in the half as the Reggae Girlz grew frustrated while unable to deal with Colombia's attack.

Ana Guzman, 18, filling in for Manuela Vanegas, who was sitting out because of yellow card accumulation, found Usme with a cross that she controlled and sent past Spencer for the lone goal of the match.

Khadija Shaw, Spence and Jody Brown showed chemistry and Brown had a solid chance in the second half that was headed into the post, followed by a shot by Spence that was stopped. Jamaica could not find enough counterattack in the final third to get past Colombia, which is now the only team left from the Americas.

France's three early goals secure dominant win over Morocco

Morocco, ranked 72nd, was the lowest-ranked team ever to make it to the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup, and will forever be in history for its journey. But having to play France in the knockouts was always going to be daunting, and Les Bleues showed why.

The energy France brought to the game was not matched by Morocco, whose aggressive counter-press had initially helped it control games against teams such as Germany.

But France, one of the best crossing teams in the competition, showed that its depth and multiple scoring options put it ahead of most nations as scoring threat Kadidiatou Diani’s goal came after just 15 minutes, thanks to Sakina Karchaoui sending the cross after a build-up from the left side.

Five minutes later, Diani set up another goal, finding Aston Villa's Kenza Dali off the right wing, flicking the ball for Dali to send a pass off the post. Three minutes later, Eugenie Le Sommer would get her first of the night, pouncing on a mistake from Morocco that was sent right to Diani and rolled perfectly for Le Sommer to finish off.

Morocco would adjust to the high-intensity, fast-paced and creative French side by trying to bring the defensive block higher and stop the speed that Le Sommer was playing with on her opportunities, which halted chances on the breakaway. But a cross from Vicki Becho curled to the box, where Le Sommer headed it, marking the fourth and final goal in the match.

GOAL OF THE DAY 

The build-up to the goal was just as clinical as the goal itself, but a sequence of perfect passes allowed Dali to flick the ball and turn for Diani to run to the top of the box and find Dali right in the centre to send a ball to the left post and in.

QUOTE OF THE DAY 

“During all the years in women’s football, it's such a beautiful moment, giving us the possibility to make history for our country. But we can go beyond. We came here to play seven finals. And we need to go step by step.” - Colombia's Catalina Usme, after her team's historic win

THREE STARS OF THE DAY 

1. Eugenie Le Sommer, France: France's all-time leading scorer, who did not play for her country in the 2022 Euro, scored her 91st and 92nd goals for her country and now has three goals in the tournament, including a brace in the first knockout-round game.

2. Catalina Usme, Colombia: Usme's goal was the first time anyone had broken Jamaica's defence, and her first touch with her defender on with the long ball dropping was perfectly controlled to send past the keeper and make history for Colombia.

3. Becky Spencer, Jamaica: Although the Reggae Girlz have been eliminated, Colombia's goal was the only one Spencer had conceded all tournament, and she was the only keeper to not concede in the entire competition up to that point.

LOOKING AHEAD 

The quarter-finals are now set, starting with Spain taking on Netherlands in Wellington on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, followed by Japan vs. Sweden in Auckland on Friday at 3:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 a.m. PT. Saturday will see Australia taking on France in Brisbane at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT followed by England vs. Colombia in Sydney at 6:30 a.m. ET / 3:30 a.m. PT.