SYDNEY, July 30 (silubaba) -- Manuela Vanegas headed a winner deep in stoppage time as Colombia stunned two-time champions Germany 2-1 in an absorbing contest at the FIFA Women's World Cup on Sunday.
Germany seemed poised to escape with a 1-1 draw, following an 89th-minute penalty from Alexandra Popp.
However, an unmarked Vanegas unleashed a powerful long-range header in the 97th minute, igniting the 40,000-strong crowd in Sydney. The majority had been passionately supporting Colombia.
With this win, Colombia now leads Group H with six points, but qualification for the round of 16 is not yet secure. Both Germany and Morocco trail with three points.
South Korea, having lost both their matches, remains in contention ahead of a Thursday face-off with Germany.
Germany, ranked second, entered as the odds-on favorites following a 6-0 rout of Morocco in their opening match.
However, they were at a disadvantage without key defender Felicitas Rauch and faced a formidable Colombian side, renowned for their robust style of play.
In a first half filled with tension, Germany was stifled by Colombia's stubborn defense, and clear opportunities were sparse.
Germany, champions in 2003 and 2007, missed a golden opportunity just before half-time when an unmarked Popp's shot went astray.
The match gained momentum when Colombian teenager Linda Caicedo masterfully dodged two defenders before dispatching a perfectly weighted strike past goalkeeper Merle Frohms in the 52nd minute.
Caicedo, a survivor of ovarian cancer diagnosed at age 15, claimed her second goal of the tournament.
In the 88th minute, Germany retaliated with Lena Oberdorf taken down by Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez.
A composed Popp flawlessly executed her penalty kick, driving it straight down the middle, only for Vanegas to emerge as Colombia's hero moments later. ■
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