Colombia and New Zealand kicked off their second game of Group A under the sun in Lyon, both teams looking for their first win of the campaign.

New Zealand made just one change from the side that lost to Canada on Thursday with Jacqui Hand coming in for Grace Jale. Two changes were made for Colombia with Ilana Izquierdo replacing Daniela Montoya in midfield and Manuela Pavi in place of the suspended Mayra Ramírez on the left wing.

Colombia dominated in the first half with direct play down the wings and pressure on the New Zealand defence which saw them take a lead midway through the first half. While New Zealand made some searching runs into the box, it was Colombia who doubled their lead in the second half with an excellent team goal that was finished brilliantly by Leicy Santos. Colombia were threatening goals throughout the 90, agonisingly hitting the post three times.

COL: Tapia; C. Arias, D. Arias, Carabali, Vanegas, Izquierdo, Usle, Restrepo, Santos, Caicedo, Pavi.

NZL: Leat; Bott, Bowen, Stott, Barry, Riley, Taylor, Steinmetz, Kitching, Clegg, Hand.

It was an attacking start for Colombia who threatened for a goal and left the Football Ferns building from the back. Impressive trickery was on show from defender Katie Bowen which was swiftly followed by a brilliant block from a Caicedo effort.

Caicedo and Pavi continued to threaten on the wings and it was the former who created another big chance for her side. Squaring it to Usme, the experienced forward then struck the ball straight into the hands of Leat.

As New Zealand began to grow into the game and clutch spells of possession they became more confident in their playing out from the back. Stott and Clegg had spells of possession in the box but both failed to produce a goal.

After continued pressure on the Ferns defence, Colombia took the lead in the 29th minute. Caicedo won a free kick on the left which was swung in and poorly cleared, falling to Restrepo on the edge of the box. The midfielder took a beautiful strike on the half volley, sending the ball past the outstretched hands of Leat, into the back of the net. Holding up the suspended Ramírez and the injured Pérez’s shirts in celebration, the pressure had finally paid off for Las Chicas.

Caicedo vs Bott was a continuous battle on the wing and the Leicester defender held strongly against the Real Madrid forward. A crucial tackle in the box held Caicedo off, garnering a penalty shout which was waved away. The Colombian had another chance just before the break where she got the better of Bott, deftly touching the ball past her and sending a whipped ball in at the near post which Leat had to make a save from.

In injury time Colombia kept pushing, with Vanegas thumping a strike onto the crossbar.

The Ferns brought on attacking changes at half time with Jale replacing Clegg and Longo coming in for Steinmetz.

Las Chicas came out firing at the start of the second half as Usme sent in a free kick directly from touchline which Leat excellently pushed onto the crossbar. Stott then cleared a shot off the line which was driven into the ground goalwards by Pavi.

It was then a second for Colombia as a frenzied attack descended on the Colombian goal. The movement began with the woodwork being hit for the third time, this time the shot from Izquierdo. The ball then fell to Vanegas who cut inside for Usme. The forward smartly touched the ball onto Santos beside her, who’s shot rippled the back of the net. It was an excellent team goal for Colombia, a clean exhibition of smooth one-touch football.

Spirits were rather dampened in the final 15 as Usme had to be stretchered off the pitch and replaced by Daniela Montoya. Colombia will be hoping that their experienced playmaker’s injury isn’t too serious.

As New Zealand hoped to make a final impact, Gabriella Rennie and Michaela Foster replaced Mackenzie Barry and Kate Taylor. On the other side of the dugouts, Daniela Caracas, Liana Salazar and Yirleidis Minota came in for Carolina Arias, Ilana Izquierdo and Linda Caicedo, the latter of which had her name chanted by the Colombian fans as she exited the pitch.

Stott tried to grab a goal back, excellently touching the ball over her defender and sending a strike from 30 yards out on the half volley. It was an attempt to catch Tapia off guard, but the ball drifted just wide of the post.

In the closing minutes, as Santos looked likely to score a third, Bowen excellently dived in with a tackle to prevent the deficit from worsening.

It was the two Colombian goals that proved enough to clinch the three points, putting them in a great position to qualify from the group. With Canada being docked 6 points, this is a win that will surely help Las Chicas on their way to their first Olympic quarter final.