By Ivan Yeo
Costa Rica 2, South Korea 2
The Ticas are becoming more and more resilient as the tournament progresses. Costa Rica opened the scoring, then fell behind and were heading towards a loss, but Karla Villalobos’ strike right before stoppage time salvaged another draw for Costa Rica in Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.
Villalobos’ chance came in the 89th minute. Alvarado sent a long ball towards the South Korean penalty area, Villalobos snuck in behind the South Korean defense, chested the ball down as she ran into the penalty area and fired a shot that beat keeper Jung-mi Kim for the equalizer and the scoreline eventually held up.
Costa Rica seized the advantage in the 17th minute. Alvarado played a long ball into the South Korea penalty area, Melissa Herrera chased it down and tapped a ball over Kim, South Korean defender Bo-ram Hwang raced over and cleared the ball at the goal mouth. The referee however signaled goal for Costa Rica, which replays later confirmed.
South Korea however had their response starting in the 21st minute. Kristin Granados tackled Young-a Yoo inside the penalty area and South Korea was awarded the penalty, which So-Yun Ji converted for the equalizer. South Korea took the lead four minutes later, when Yung-mi Kang crossed into the penalty area and Ga-eul Jeon’s header beat Dinnia Diaz far post to give South Korea the lead.
Brazil 1, Spain 0
Andressa Alves goal right before the half was all Brazil needed to secure advancement to the knockout stages on Saturday. Brazil controlled most of the match with Spain and withstood whatever chances Spain had on goal.
The moment arrived for Brazil in the 44th minute. Tamires sent a long ball forward, Alves outraced defender Celia Jimenez and keeper Ainhoa Tirapu to the ball and tapped it towards goal. Jimenez raced over and cleared the ball at the goal line, but it was not a strong clearance, as Alves recovered the ball inside the penalty area and slotted the shot into an open net for the goal.
Spain did have some scoring chances in the match. The first came when Alexia Putellas played a long ball forward, Natalia Sanchon got behind the Brazil backline and sprinted for goal. Brazil defender Monica gave chase, but keeper Luciana stayed on her line and Sanchon sent the shot well wide of the back post. Spain had another chance in the second half, as Irene Paredes chased down a deflected shot into the six-yard box, but her shot was saved by Luciana.
