Colombia claim first-ever Women's World Cup win with shock victory over France

Colombia claimed their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup victory, beating France 2-0 ©Getty Images

Colombia claimed their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup victory as they stunned France with a 2-0 win at the Moncton Stadium.

The South American outfit went into the Group F contest as clear underdogs but they managed to sustain large periods of French pressure to record an historic result.

France started brightly but it was Colombia who went ahead after 19 minutes as Lady Andrade latched on to a long ball over the top before she calmly slotted home to give her side a shock lead.

That goal sparked a new wave of confidence within the Colombian team and they had several decent chances to extend their advantage just after the break but they could not quite capitalise.

As the match veered towards its climax, France started to commit more players forward and it played into Colombian hands as Catalina Usme sealed a sensational victory for her side with a goal on the counter-attack in injury time.

In the other match in the group, England recovered from defeat in their opening game as they secured a nervy 2-1 win over Mexico.

After a tense opening 70 minutes, where neither side could manage to break the deadlock, Fran Kirby edged the English side ahead, steering the ball home from 10 yards.

When Alex Greenwood crossed from Karen Carney to guide a header into the net, England looked certain to claim all three points but a goal from Mexico’s Fabiola Ibarra late on ensured a nervy ending.

But England clung on to a victory that keeps their hopes of qualifying for the knockout round alive.

Brazil sealed their place in the last 16 with a win against Spain ©Getty Images

In Group E, Brazil sealed their place in the last 16 as they edged a tight contest with Spain at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal thanks to Andressa Alves solitary strike on the stroke of half-time.

Spanish defender Celia Jiminez sprinted back and cleared the ball off the line after Alves had beaten ‘keeper Ainhoa Tirapu but unfortunately for her, it fell kindly for Alves, who made no mistake to give her side a lead which they never relinquished.

Elsewhere, Costa Rica’s Karla Villalobos denied South Korea their first win at this level with an 89th minute equaliser in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Melissa Herrera scored a scrappy opener after 17 minutes to put Costa Rica in front, but two goals in four minutes initially turned the match on its head.

Ji Soyun restored parity from the spot before Jeon Gaeul glanced home a pinpoint header to give South Korea a 2-1 advantage.

That goal looked like being the winner until Villalobos popped up with a last-gasp leveller to break Korean hearts.

The tournament is due to continue on Monday (June 15) when minnows Thailand take on Germany and Ivory Coast play Norway in Group B, before hosts Canada entertain The Netherlands and China go up against New Zealand in Group A.