Colombia Edge Past Poland on Bartczak Misstep
Poland's under-20 women lost 1-0 to Colombia in the round of 16 at the World Cup on Wednesday. The match ended with a single goal — an own goal by M. Bartczak in the 89th minute that proved decisive. Poland had dominated possession with 51 per cent and launched 17 shots, yet could only muster four on target. And here's the thing: you can control the ball and still lose when the moment arrives.
The hosts started brightly enough, winning all three group games before this encounter. They beat Benin 4-1, Mexico 2-1 and Argentina 3-0 in sequence. Colombia, meanwhile, sat third in their group with just four points from one win, one draw and one defeat. To be fair, they had shown resilience before — drawing with Portugal and England, and beating the United States 1-0 in July.
Poland created nothing meaningful despite their statistical dominance. Zero big chances generated against nine blocked shots and thirteen shots off target. Colombia matched them with zero big chances of their own, but managed to convert a single opportunity. By then, the match had settled into something neither side could quite unlock.
Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half. Poland brought on Z. Grzywinska for the 68th minute, then tripled changes at 81 with I. Sikora and K. Flis. Colombia responded with three changes at 90+2 — Z. Witek, O. Zwiazek and S. Cabezas — but the game was already beyond reach. The yellow card for E. Sobierajska at 34 minutes was the only booking of note.
Colombia's goalkeeper made three saves to Poland's two, and the visitors' nineteen clearances told their story better than any narrative. The draw might have been acceptable for Colombia after their shaky group campaign, but this result sends them into the quarter-finals with something to prove. Poland go home with nine points and no medals.
