Mexico's Sandra Stephany Mayor (left) and Natalia Gaitan of Colombia battle for the ball during their FIFA Women's World Cup match on June 9, 2015, in Moncton, Canada. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
MONCTON, Canada – A late strike denied Mexico its first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup victory as the Tricolor was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Colombia in the Group F opener for both on Tuesday at Moncton Stadium.
Daniela Montoya, who had a goal disallowed earlier because of handball, received a pass from Tatiana Ariza just outside the box and fired the equalizer off the crossbar from 22-yards out in the 82nd minute.
“It’s a draw that feels a bit like a defeat,” Mexico head coach Leonardo Cuellar said. “We had the situation under control in the first half, but lost our way in the second, when Colombia were able to impose their game on us. If my players had been able to reproduce what they’ve been doing in training, the match would have turned out differently.”
Veronica Perez put Mexico ahead in the 36th minute, when – off a short corner on the left side – she struck an in-swinging effort towards the far post that Colombian goalkeeper Stefany Castaño misjudged. In an effort to recover, she tried tipping the ball over the frame with her left hand, but instead pushed it off the crossbar and over the goal line.
Colombia nearly equalized in the 59th minute, but Yoreli Rincon’s free kick caromed off the far post.
Veronica Charlyn Corral appeared to score the game-winning goal for Mexico, but referee Therese Neguel called a foul on teammate Sandra Stephany Mayor during a duel with a pair of Colombian defenders to win a header.
Mexico next faces England – which fell 1-0 to France -- at the same venue on June 13.
NOTES:
- In FIFA Women’s World Cup play, Mexico has a record of 0W-3D-4L.