The United States women’s national team overpowered Colombia on the way to a 3-0 win at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach, and Carli Lloyd scored in the winning effort. The U.S. guaranteed their place in the quarterfinals with the win.

The Red, White and Blue dominated early possession but were hesitant when looking for the final touch to create scoring opportunities. Rapinoe, who started on the left flank, broke the deadlock with her curling shot from 19 yards out. The midfielder first looked for a penetrating pass but then lined up her shot with space in front of her and certainly with the knowledge that the Colombian goalkeeper Sandro Sepuvelda is listed at only 5’6”.

After scoring the opener, the U.S. once again struggled to create good chances at goal. Give the Colombian defense credit, however, as they put in a well-organized effort to slow the U.S. Rapinoe almost doubled the lead only to see her shot from 6 yards out cleared off the line.

The U.S. broke the game open in the second half. Wambach was played in on goal and out-paced and out-hustled two Colombian defenders to the ball to knock it in the far side netting. The two goal lead gave the U.S. the confidence the game was in hand and looked more potent in the attack creating multiple chances.

Lloyd finished off the game when she ran onto a through ball from Rapinoe straight down the center of the field and calmly slotted the ball home.

The win matched the U.S. 3-0 win over Colombia in the Women’s World Cup. The only time these two teams have faced off in the past. It also booked the Stars and Stripes place in the quarterfinal. But the third match of group play against North Korea will be meaningful. The first place finisher of the group plays a third place finisher of another group while the runner-up faces a group winner, most likely defending WWC champion Japan.