MELBOURNE, Australia — In a jubilant display, Colombian players celebrated on the pitch long after they made their unprecedented advance to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals.

A goal in the latter half by Catalina Usme secured Colombia’s 1-0 victory over Jamaica. Both sides were seeking their inaugural win in this stage, with the victor progressing to the tournament’s elite eight.

“Scoring that goal was a whirlwind of feelings,” shared Usme. “It’s a significant milestone in our journey in women’s football, allowing us to carve out a historic moment for our nation. Yet, there’s more to achieve. We’re here with a mindset of playing seven title matches. It’s a gradual journey.”

Despite missing out on the 2019 edition, Colombia displayed gritty and combative football. Real Madrid’s young prodigy, 18-year-old Linda Caicedo, continuously challenged a Jamaican defense that maintained a clean sheet during the group matches.

“We approached the match against England with the intent of playing it as one of our seven title matches,” Usme elaborated. “Our preparation is solid. We’re aiming high, confident in our ability to deliver.”

Usme’s ecstasy was palpable when she expertly controlled a long ball from Ana Guzman and netted it in the 52nd minute. As she exited the field later, Colombian supporters serenaded her, prompting a gracious acknowledgment.

Post-match, both Guzman and Jorelyn Carabali spontaneously burst into song when addressing the media.

The spotlight had been on a potential face-off between Caicedo and Jamaica’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. However, it was Usme’s defining strike that stole the show.

“We’re only three games away from our ultimate dream trophy. It’s challenging, but achievable,” opined Caicedo. “The entire team is united in this dream. We’re prepared to overcome any hurdles.”

While Shaw had a phenomenal run with Manchester City previously, netting 20 goals in 22 league matches, she was unable to replicate that form in the World Cup.

“Of course, it’s disheartening to end our journey here, but I take immense pride in our team’s performance,” Shaw reflected. “We’ve exceeded many expectations. We need to cherish our achievements and move forward. The competition is getting tougher.”

The Reggae Girlz’s lone tournament goal came from Allyson Swaby in their win against Panama, a match Shaw missed due to suspension from a previous game.

In the midst of concerns about her health, Caicedo, who battled ovarian cancer at 15, scored twice in the opening stages. She had a momentary health scare during a practice session but fully participated in Colombia’s match against Morocco.

After stunning victories over South Korea and Germany, Colombia fell to Morocco. However, they made history by becoming the second team from South America, after Brazil, to lead their group.

Jamaica showcased their defensive prowess by keeping renowned teams like France and Brazil at bay during the group stage. Their previous World Cup appearance in 2019 ended without a win.

The Colombians had multiple opportunities in the initial half, but Jamaica’s solid defense ensured the teams entered the break level.

The game witnessed some tense moments, like Trudi Carter’s injury scare and close misses by both sides. Jamaica’s goalkeeper Becky Spencer thwarted multiple Colombian attempts, and Drew Spence’s near-miss in the 82nd minute was heart-wrenching for the Jamaicans.

Manuela Vanegas’s absence was felt by Colombia, but 18-year-old Guzman stepped up, even assisting Usme’s game-winning goal.

Las Cafeteras, on their third World Cup journey, had previously reached the Round of 16 in 2015 but fell to the US.

Currently, they stand as the sole representatives from the Americas in the competition.

Colombia’s coach, Nelson Abadia, expressed, “This is a monumental achievement for us. We are not just representing Colombia but all of South America. In fact, we are the flagbearers for the entire Americas now.”