PARIS — Mississippi State soccer player Ilana Izquierdo saw her Olympic debut end in the quarterfinals after Spain defeated the Colombian women’s national team on penalty kicks.
Izquierdo arrived as a substitute just before halftime, replacing forward Manuela Pavi, and played the remainder of the match. A first-half goal from Mayra Ramirez was followed by a goal from Leicy Santos early in the second-half to give Colombia a 2-0 lead over the defending World Cup champions.
Spain dominated possession with 77% of the ball, firing 33 shot attempts to Colombia’s seven, and eventually the game would bend their way. Jenni Hermoso got one goal back with 11 minutes of the 90 left to play and Irene Paredes added an equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time to force extra-time.
The two sides failed to break the deadlock and went to penalty kicks, where Spanish keeper Cata Coll saved an effort from Catalina Usme and saw Liana Salazar’s shot go wide. Spain converted all four spot kicks to win the shootout 4-2 and advance to the semi-final.
Izquierdo started seven of Colombia’s last eight matches, including the three group stage games and the team’s first win at the Olympics, a 2-0 win over New Zealand. She is the first active student-athlete from MSU to play in an Olympic team sport since B.J. Wallace in 1992.
Goalkeeper and MSU alumni Catalina Perez was also set to go to Paris, but an injury sustained in training prevented her from playing.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
