Dramatic Olympic Comeback for Spain

Spain fight back from 2-0 do Colombia to draw 2-2 and win the penalty shoot out.

World Cup winner’s Spain left it late to book their place in the Olympics Women’s Football semifinal. Chelsea’s Ramirez put Colombia ahead with a well taken goal just 12 minutes into the game. Spain have struggled with firepower in this tournament and despite dominating possession for long periods, they were unable to find a breakthrough.

Many of the players looked like the hectic plating schedule had take its toll, with both teams looking lethargic. A mistake from captain Irene Parades allowed Colombia to claim another goal on 52 minutes and as the clock ticked down, it looked like Spain’s Olympic hopes were all but over.

Jenni Hermoso Changes the Game

There had been questions as to why Spain’s all-time top goalscorer Jenni Hermoso had not been given much playing time so far. Disappointed to be benched again, it felt like it was written in the stars for her to be the saviour. Introduced on 65 minutes, Hermoso had an immediate impact with the tempo of the game rising.

14 minutes later, Hermoso found space through a crowd of Colombia bodies to rifle into the net. Game on.

With just over 10 minutes left on the clock plus stoppage time, they still had a huge mountain to climb. You can never write off this Spanish team, you can never write off the quality of the old guard. This time, it was Paredes who popped up just at the right time to level for Spain in the dying minutes of stoppage time.

97 minutes had been played, due to lots of injury stoppages in the second half. Paredes more than made up for her earlier error, the tide had turned. Colombia players looked drained and shellshocked.

Extra time was goalless, meaning that their Olympic fate came down to penalties. The masked Cata Coll emerged as Spain’s penalty saving hero, as the valiant Colombia players rued what could could have been. The semifinals had been within touching distance and now they were heading home.

Spain now play Brazil in the Olympic semifinals.

Olympics Women’s Football Semifinal Draw

6 August

17:00 United States v Germany

20:00 Brazil v Spain

See how to watch the Olympics Women’s Football semifinals in our TV schedule.