Linda Caicedo’s rollercoaster World Cup continues with stunning goal in Colombia win over Germany

It would be something of an exaggeration to call Real Madrid star Linda Caicedo the break-out star of the Women’s World Cup 2023, as the vast majority of followers of the women’s game in particular will have been well aware of what she is capable of before the competition kicked off.

Caicedo scores on Women’s World Cup debut

It’s been a strange old tournament for the 18-year-old in Australia and New Zealand so far. On her World Cup debut, Caicedo scored Las Cafeteras’ second goal in a 2-0 win over South Korea, finding the net from the edge of the area, although she had opposition goalkeeper Young Geul Yoon to thank for letting a saveable shot slip through her grasp.

Real Madrid striker in training ground scare

48 hours later, however, the striker was filmed clutching her chest and tumbling to the ground during a Colombian training session, understandably prompting fears that something had gone seriously wrong. What the problem actually was remains something of a mystery, but it appeared as if the incident was nothing more than a momentary scare, with Caicedo, who overcame ovarian cancer, eventually going on to finish the session.

“Linda is very tired. What happened was just a symptom of all the stress and physical demands. She is well and all is back to normal”, was the somewhat contradictory message from a member of Colombia’s medical staff.

Caicedo’s world-class goal against Germany

The youngster’s exploits in her country’s second game of the tournament, against Germany in Sydney, thankfully suggest that she is more than just “well”. All eyes were on Caicedo after her training ground incident, which most will now have forgotten all about after her world-class goal early in the second half.

Caicedo picked up possession on the left-hand side of the Germany penalty box, showed incredible footwork to wriggle her way between two opponents and curled a stunning effort into the top corner, which Merle Frohms dived for but may as well not have done.

The best goal of the Women’s World Cup 2023 so far? You’re unlikely to have seen too many better in Women’s World Cup or indeed any World Cup at all.

Colombia all but through to World Cup knockout stage

Hearts were in Colombian mouths once more as Caicedo again went down late on against the Germans with a seemingly unrelated issue, although she was able to get back up and was taken off in injury time. After Manuela Vanegas’ late goal secured a dramatic victory, Las Cafeteras only have to avoid a four-goal defeat or more to Morocco in their final group match to progress to the round of 16.