The dream of the Mexican women’s soccer team was drowned on Wednesday afternoon in the rain of San Diego when they fell 3-0 against Brazil in the semifinal match of the Women’s Gold Cup. Nevertheless, Jacqueline Ovalle never gave up and until the end she continued making plays that will surely serve as inspiration.
It was the 75th minute of the game with Mexico at a heavy 3-0 disadvantage – and outnumbered due to an inexplicable expulsion early in the game – when “La Maga” Ovalle took the ball and created an individual play worthy of a cracker.
Ovalle, close to the left wing, faced three Brazilian players. First he quickly took Gabi Portilho, who even seemed to foul him. When Julia Bianchi and Adriana came into the path of the Mexican, she made an intrepid cut to pass between them like a knife through butter.
Then, the Tigres Femenil player left Vitórea Yaya, who was late, aside. When Ovalle headed into the area, winger Antónia tried to stop her, but the Mexican dribbled past her to easily leave her behind..
The sixth Amazonian defender that “La Maga” Ovalle faced could not reach the one born in Aguascalientes either, but her left-footed shot went a little over the goal when many of the fans in the stadium had already stood up waiting for the culmination of a masterpiece on the court.
Ovalle, 24, later lamented that his individual action could not end in a goal and bring the tricolor team closer on the scoreboard. If it had been a goal, it would be going around the world and described as a “Maradonian” or “Messi-like” goal..
Brazil will play on Sunday in San Diego for the women’s Gold Cup, while Mexico will return home after a performance that was good despite the defeat against Verdeamarela.
As for Ovalle, his 5 goals (2 against the Dominican Republic, 1 in the notable victory over the United States and 2 against Paraguay) and his excellent plays like the one on Wednesday have made it clear that he is in his best moment and that he is a new figure of Mexican soccer.