Colombia up and running with victory over South Korea

Catalina Usme and Linda Caicedo scored first-half goals and Colombia earned a 2-0 win over Colin Bell's South Korea in their Women's World Cup opener in Sydney on Tuesday.

Colombia were embroiled in a fallout with the Republic of Ireland nine days ago after their behind-closed-doors game was abandoned with just 20 minutes on the clock.

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An injury to Denise O'Sullivan proved the final straw for Ireland who were unhappy with the Colombians' physical approach, but the dust has now settled on that saga, and the tournament is very much up and running for both sides.

Bell managed the Girls in Green up until 2019, when he left to take up a position with Huddersfield Town. He was succeeded by Vera Pauw.

He was hoping for a good start to the World Cup but South Korea came undone in nine first-half minutes.

Usme put Colombia in front with a 30th-minute penalty kick, steering her left-footed shot inside the left post following a handball.

Caicedo doubled the lead in the 39th minute. She took possession near the midfield, drove at the defence on the left flank, then cut toward the middle of the field just outside the penalty area. Her 20-yard shot went off the hands of South Korean goalie Yoon Young-Guel and into the net.

Colombia face off with Germany in Group H on Sunday in Sydney, while South Korea play Morocco in Adelaide.

Watch Republic of Ireland v Canada in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Wednesday at 1pm, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on 2fm