Two former Mississippi State soccer standouts are getting their moment on the international stage this week, as Ilana Izquierdo and Catalina Perez helped the Colombian women’s national team reach the final of the Copa America Femenina. 

Colombia fought for 120 minutes to a goalless draw in the semifinals against Argentina, forcing the sides to decide the tie from the spot in a penalty shootout. Las Cafeteras won the shootout, 5-4, to set up a date with the reigning champions, Brazil, in the final this weekend. 

Perez, who starred in goal for the Bulldogs in 2017, is serving as the backup goalkeeper for Colombia this summer. Izquierdo, a key part of MSU’s SEC championship win in 2024, has featured in three out of the five matches for Colombia so far. The midfielder started in a 4-1 win over Paraguay in the group stage as well as a 0-0 draw with their final opponents last Friday. 

Izquierdo was named Second Team All-SEC last year despite missing the final three games of the regular season due to an ankle injury. She was forced to miss the postseason as well as the Bulldogs entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed, and spent the spring semester rehabilitating her ankle before graduating in May. 

Izquierdo will travel to Mexico after the tournament to play for her new professional club, Atletico San Luis. 

Colombia and Brazil met in the final of the 2022 Copa America as well, hosted in Colombia, as Brazil won 1-0 thanks to a penalty conversion by Debinha in the 39th minute. 

Colombia and Brazil will meet again in the final on Saturday. The match will air on Fox Sports 1 at 4 p.m.