France's Amandine Henry (R) is challenged by Mexico's Alina Garciamendez during their FIFA Women's World Cup Group F football match at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario on June 17, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
VANCOUVER: France got their Women’s World Cup campaign back on track on Wednesday with a 5-0 rout of Mexico as England, South Korea and Colombia also grabbed last-16 berths on the final day of group games.
The third-ranked French had been among the tournament favourites before falling to a shock 2-0 defeat to Colombia in their second game.
But they delivered in style in their third match, becoming the quickest team to score three goals in the tournament’s history to finish top of Group F.
England, also on six points, but behind France on goal difference, beat Colombia 2-1 in Montreal and advance second from the group.
The 28th-ranked South Americans also backed into the last-16 as one of the four best third-place finishers with four points.
Mexico, ranked 15th, are on their way home with one point.
France next meet South Korea, who came from behind to dump Spain 2-1 in Group E and achieve their first win in the tournament on their second attempt after 2003.
Brazil finished top of Group E with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica which sent the Central American side crashing out of the tournament.
The 2007 runners-up have a maximum nine points ahead of South Korea on four. Costa Rica finish on two and Spain with one — with both sides eliminated from the tournament.
England finished second in Group F, by beating Colombia 2-1 to set up a meeting with 1995 champions Norway on Monday.
Colombia qualified with four points and next play two-time winners USA in the knockout round.
Brazil, already through, kept their unbeaten record with the win over Costa Rica, courtesy of a Raquel Fernandes goal seven minutes from time.
The 2007 runners-up play Australia in the last-16 at Moncton on Sunday.
The knockout rounds get under way on Saturday with two-time winners Germany up against Sweden, the 2003 runners-up, at Ottawa, and China taking on surprise African newcomers Cameroon at Edmonton.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2015.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ