USWNT 3-0 Colombia: Lindsey Horan, Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw fire USA into Gold Cup semifinal with Alex Morgan squaring up to rivals in heated clash

In intense 90 minutes of action in Los Angeles, the United States women’s national team defeated Colombia 3-0 to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

All three goals came in the first half, starting with a penalty from captain Lindsey Horan, followed less than ten minutes later by a strike from defender Jenna Nighswonger.

An extra-time goal from Jaedyn Shaw gave the Americans a 3-0 lead in the first half that they would not relinquish.

Colombia managed just three shots on target, making it relatively easy for Alyssa Naeher, who kept a clean sheet in her 100th cap for the USWNT.

But the game was a tricky affair. Referee Marianela Araya handed out seven yellow cards but did not send anyone off the field in a violent match.

Goals two and three came from Jenna Nighswonger (L) and Jaedyn Shaw (R)

USWNT veteran Alex Morgan looked like she was ready to fight two Colombian players at once in a video posted to Twitter.

Late in the match, American striker Sophia Smith was the victim of a vicious high-low tackle that did not lead to a send-off.

The two teams combined for 31 errors, with Colombia taking a 16-15 lead in that area.

Next up for the United States is CONCACAF rival Canada in a semifinal, played in San Diego.

The winner of that match will advance to the final, where they will face the winner of Mexico and Brazil.

The penalty scored in the eleventh minute came after Colombian defender Jorelyn Carabali shoulder-checked Alex Morgan in the penalty area.

Morgan was one-on-one with the keeper and no attempt was made to play the ball, but Araya only drew a yellow card.

Colombia did not play fair. The team made several attempts to delay the taking of the penalty kick, without any consequences.

Just before Horan hit the ball, Carolina Arias walked in front of her to talk to the goalkeeper. Once again Araya showed no card. Horan calmly took her chance.

It was a tricky affair, with a total of 31 fouls and seven yellow cards between the two teams

The US responded to Colombia’s challenge with its own form of intimidation. Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman earned yellow cards within two minutes of each other for cackling at their opponents.

It remained exciting until Nighswonger hit an accurate low shot over the body of Colombian goalkeeper Natalia Giraldo to take the lead 2-0.

Shaw made it 3-0 with a brilliant display of one-touch technique. A ball wide of Rodman resulted in a one-time cross to Shaw, who tapped the ball into the net.

The second 45 minutes remained just as physical as the first, but nothing got past Naeher. She made two save dives in the first half and remained unstopped in the second half to underline a dominant performance for the Americans.