Colombia goes for everything in the Copa América 2025

The dream begins: this Friday, July 11, the Women's Copa América starts in Ecuador. Colombia goes for glory, for history and for a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Photo: Mauricio Alvarado Lozada

The Women's Copa América The curtain raised yesterday in Quito, and for Colombia This time it is not just dreaming, but it is about conquering. In its tenth edition, the tournament finds the tricolor at the highest point of its evolution: a tanned team with Three runners -up In the last four editions, strengthened by silent work and pushed by a generation that combines explosive youth with elite experience.

It is no longer only an ambition, but a certainty built with years of blows, maturation and unwavering faith. Located in the 18th position of the FIFA ranks – his best historical brand -, Colombia will not participate. It goes for everything.

Colombia escaped the title in 2022, at home, against Brazil. He had also touched him before, in 2010 and 2014. But this time history seems to have another air.

“We are going with the firm conviction that this time we will be given the title. It is not a speech of eight days ago. The group has put itself in the task of preparing for that. While we have not been able to obtain the title, that does not affect us. We believe in the processes, we believe that we have prepared in the best way to go for that title, ”he said Catalina usmethe historic team's captain, which will play a new Copa América, surrounded by referents such as Mayra RamírezChelsea champion figure in England, and Linda CaicedoFigure of Real Madrid of Spain.

Usme does not hesitate to talk about the moment the group lives. “This Copa América finds us in a very good level, not only sports, but also human and group. It has been important for us to generational change. Girls also want to be, appear and remain in this selection,” he explained. And if something is clear about Colombia, it is not afraid of anyone: “Brazil we don't see it as Coco. It is a rival that we have to overcome. If we find them in the final, it will be inherent in that.”

That trust is not arrogance: it is the result of a long, silent and consistent work. This is also expressed by Arquera Katherine Tapia, one of the leading voices of the locker room: “We have the scratch of the runner -ups. This is the year of Colombia. We have received many criticisms, but nobody knows what is behind the work we have been doing. We know the conditions and capacity of the Colombian team and the responsibility that you also have in that tournament not only to be champion, but we are also playing the quota to the Olympic Games. ”

The maturity of the group is reflected in how the questions face. It is not a team that shields in the past, nor that he feels defeated by statistics: “Criticisms make us grow. We receive criticism in the best way. A group as mature as this affects little. I know what I do every day for this selection. We are going to do our best, with the superclaro objective of being champions, ”said Usme.

Since last July, when the Olympic Games of Paris 2024 were played, the tricolor has played 16 games between friendlies and tournaments such as the Shebelieves Cup. Colombia accumulated six draws, seven losses and only three wins. He showed tactical intelligence to resist powers such as Japan, Brazil and Spain, but also a defensive fragility against high pressure and speed equipment. With 16 goals in favor and 27 against, the numbers have not been the best. But the message is clear: the past does not determine the present. And the present of Colombia is loaded with illusion, but also of reflection.

The tricolor had rest on this first date and will debut on Wednesday, July 16 on the second day against Venezuela and will share the Group b next to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and the aforementioned Vinotinto. The first two will advance to the semifinals and the finalists will classify directly to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. There are no quotas to the World Cup in this edition: that will be defined later in Qualifiers.

Colombia arrives prepared to play 2,800 meters high in Quito, unique headquarters of the tournament. He trained in Bogotá to adapt to altitude. He arrived with players who militate in Top Leagues from Europe and America, a consolidated coaching staff with Angelo Marsiglia and a fan who no longer wants to dream: he wants to celebrate.

“We have the full certainty that we are going to do things well. If it is with goals, I will be happy; if not, also, because The goal is to be champions”Said Usme. That phrase reflects a team that prefers to demonstrate on the court, not with words. That he does not fear expectations, or rivals, or criticism. Because Colombia will no longer see what happens: it will conquer what for so long has caressed.

This time the rematch is not with anyone. It is with the story.

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