U.S. soccer draws with Colombia, still makes Olympic quarters
— -- With time running out, Catalina Usme beat Hope Solo with a free kick from a tight angle to give Colombia a 2-2 draw against the United States on Tuesday at the Olympics.
Usme also scored in the 26th minute, booting a free kick that went between Solo's legs, to give the Colombians an early 1-0 lead. It was the team's first-ever Olympic goal and first-ever goal against the United States.
Despite the draw, the top-ranked Americans still finished atop Group F.
Teenager Mallory Pugh became the youngest player to score for the United States in an Olympics with her goal in the 59th minute, giving the Americans a 2-1 lead. Crystal Dunn also scored for the defending champions.
The U.S. women's team, the reigning World Cup champions, is vying for its fourth straight Olympic gold medal.
Pugh, just 18, came into the game as a first-half substitute for midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who played in her first match since having ACL surgery in December.
In addition to Rapinoe, United States coach Jill Ellis made several other changes to her starting lineup, sitting regular starters Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Meghan Klingenberg. Julie Johnston, who sat out the second game with groin injury, was also on the bench.
Morgan came in after the half for Carli Lloyd. Pugh, who hurt her ankle in the 2-0 opening win against New Zealand, went in when Rapinoe was pulled in the 33rd minute as temperatures hovered in the upper 80s.
The match in Brazil's Amazon rainforest was an announced sellout, with many fans awaiting the late game between host Brazil and South Africa. The crowd was on the side of the underdogs from the start and cheered wildly when Usme scored her first goal. The free kick bounced between Solo's legs. The fans also taunted Solo by chanting "Zika! Zika!''
The jeers have accompanied the U.S. goalkeeper throughout the Olympic tournament because of posts she made on social media about the virus that is spread by mosquitoes. It was just the fifth goal that Solo has allowed this year. The veteran goalkeeper has a record 102 shutouts in international play.
Solo told NBC after the game that she would be able to move past Tuesday's performance before the quarterfinals.
"I personally gave up a goal I wish I could take back, but I've been around long enough to know these things happen," Solo said. "So I'm going to choose to have short-term memory and move forward."
Dunn, playing in her first Olympics with the national team, tied the match with a rebound after Lloyd's shot bounced back off the crossbar in the 41st minute. Pugh's goal slid between numerous Colombia players before finding the back of the net in the second half.
Colombia had already been eliminated with losses in its first two matches.
On Monday, coach Fabian Taborda said Usme had an injured left knee, while Lady Andrade and Carolina Arias were suffering from "exhaustion.'' But all three started. Colombia is considered one of South America's top teams, along with neighboring Brazil. Las Cafeteras, as they're known, surprised many when they advanced to the knockout round in the World Cup last year.
France 3, New Zealand 0
France finished second behind the U.S. in Group G to advance with a straightforward victory and set up a matchup with Canada in the quarterfinals.
Eugenie Le Sommer put Les Bleues ahead in the first half before Louisa Cadamuro added a second goal with a header and a third from a penalty in the second half.
New Zealand finished third in the group and could still advance depending on the late results in Group E.
Canada 2, Germany 1
Melissa Tancredi scored twice, and Canada completed a perfect run through Group F.
The Germans took the lead in the 13th minute after Allysha Chapman brought down Mandy Islacker in the box, and Melanie Behringer converted the penalty.
But Canada, the bronze medalists four years ago, equalized in the 25th minute when Germany gave the ball away deep in the own zone. Tancredi gathered the loose ball and beat German keeper Almuth Schult from the top of the box.
And Tancredi put Canada ahead on the hour mark by heading home Rebecca Quinn's cross from a set piece.
Germany also advanced to the quarterfinals despite the defeat, though that was not certain until Australia's result against Zimbabwe was confirmed.
Australia 6, Zimbabwe 1
Australia will face a mammoth quarterfinal showdown with either the United States or Brazil after securing their pathway out of the Olympic group stages.
The Matildas led 6-0 in the 66th minute and needed only to hit the back of the net once more to avoid a meeting with world No.1 U.S. or world No. 8 Brazil, which beat them 3-1 in a pre-Games friendly.
Lisa De Vanna, Clare Polkinghorne and Alanna Kennedy all found the net for Australia in the first half, before Kyah Simon and substitute Michelle Heyman (two goals) extended their lead after the break.
But a 91st-minute strike from Zimbabwe's Emmaculate Msipa means Australia will go through as one of the top two third-place teams across the three groups and tread the more difficult road.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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