by Genevieve Henry (16/7/23)
Above: Colombia celebrate their win over Argentina that not only sealed their place in the 2022 Copa America Femenina Final, but also qualification for both the World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: CONMEBOL.
Colombia, also affectionately known as Las Chicas Superpoderosas or The Powerpuff Girls, are one the best teams in South America, second only to Brazil. They have been a constant menace in the Copa América since 1998 and placed second in the most recent edition. This team knows how to play tournament football.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Catalina Perez (SE Kindermann-Avaí), Natalia Giraldo (América de Cali), Sandra Sepulveda (Independiente Medellín).
Defenders: Ana Maria Guzman (Deportivo Pereira), Angela Baron (Atlético Nacional), Carolina Arias (Junior FC), Daniela Arias (América de Cali), Daniela Caracas (RCD Espanyol), Jorelyn Carabalí (Atlético Mineiro), Mónica Ramos (Gremio).
Midfielders: Daniela Montoya (Atlético Nacional), Diana Ospina (América de Cali), Lorena Bedoya (Real Brasilia), Manuela Vanegas (Real Sociedad), Marcela Restrepo (Dux Logroño), María Camila Reyes (Independiente Santa Fe)
Forwards: Catalina Usme (América de Cali), Elexa Bahr (América de Cali), Ivonne Chacon (Valencia Féminas C.F.), Lady Andrade (Real Brasilia), Leicy Santos (Atlético de Madrid), Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid), Mayra Ramirez (Levante UD)
Head Coach
Nelson Abadía has been around Colombian football for decades. He coached many clubs before becoming involved with Las Chicas Superpoderosas in 2014. He was promoted from technical director to head coach in 2017, and since then has led them to many remarkable achievements. Abadía won gold with this team at the 2019 Pan American Games, their first victory in the competition. He has a team with great history and talent on his hands.
World Cup History
This is Colombia’s third World Cup, having previously qualified in 2011 and 2015. Their debut tournament came in Germany 2011 when the South American side finished bottom of their group with a single point from a 0-0 draw with North Korea, and competitive losses to the USA (3-0) and Sweden (1-0).
Four years later in Canada, not only did Colombia score their first goal (thanks to Daniela Montya in a 1-1 draw against Mexico), but also make it through to the round of sixteen after a famous 2-0 win over France and 2-1 defeat to England. Colombia exited in the second round after goals from Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd sealed a 2-0 win for their opponents USA.
How they qualified
Colombia qualified for the 2023 World Cup thanks to being runners-up in the Copa America, where they were defeated 1-0 by Brazil in the final. Debinha scored the only goal from the penalty spot in front of 28,000 fans in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Strengths
This team has many avenues to goal. They are creative and driven. They have a plethora of young talent coming up through the ranks, so they can only go up from here.
Development Areas
Las Chicas Superpoderosas tend to be leaky in front of goal, which makes sense considering the inexperience of many of the players.
Key Players
Catalina Usme is a record-breaking player with passion and skill. Usme is the top scorer in the history of the Colombian Women’s National Team as well as the record appearance holder. The 33-year-old América De Cali striker has played a pivotal role for her country since her first cap in 2006.
Daniela Montoya is the Colombian captain who has led her country through multiple major tournaments, including World Cups and an Olympic Games. Montoya is not only a fantastic midfielder, but an advocate for her team’s right to fair treatment.
Lady Andrade is a beloved, versatile attacking player who has represented her country many times as well as being a regular scorer. The 31-year-old has plied her trade worldwide, facing top opponents and bringing a valuable mindset of strength to her team.
One to watch
Linda Caicedo has caught the footballing world’s attention and has become the team’s potential star of the future. The 18-year-old Real Madrid star has already been an asset to Las Chicas Superpoderosas, scoring frequently to help them to their qualification for the 2023 World Cup. All eyes will be on Caicedo this summer in Australia and New Zealand.
Success Would Be
If Colombia makes it out of the group, it would be a win. In the past, they made history by being the first Spanish-speaking country to win a game in the women’s World Cup. They have advanced out of the group before, in 2015, and will attempt to do so again.
Prediction
This will be a tough and competitive group to get out of. Colombia has a decent chance to do well, but their road is very likely to end in the group.
Group H Fixtures
25th July – South Korea, Sydney Football Stadium.
30th July – Germany, Sydney Football Stadium.
3rd August – Morocco, HBF Park, Perth.
To read the other World Cup nation previews published so far, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/international-football/
Follow Impetus on social media – we’re @ImpetusFootball on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. DON’T MISS our brand new TikTok platform @ImpetusFootball too!
impetusfootball.org 