FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015

MONTREAL — During its rough start to this World Cup, the U.S. women's national football team promised that brighter days were ahead, that the sputtering attack and grinding style would give way to the beauty and prosperity that has defined the program for most of 25 years.

EDMONTON — The United States remained on a strange and confounding path in this Women's World Cup on Monday, adding a missed penalty kick by the greatest scorer in international football history to a long list of shortcomings. But to their credit, the U.S. has discovered ways to remain in contention for a first title in 16 years.

The Colombians, who stunned France en route to their first advancement in a major international tournament, are not the slightest bit in awe of their highly decorated opponents. In recent days, they have spoken in bold, confident terms.

Costa Rica was close, they tried hard, but their efforts fell short as a late goal by Brazil’s Raquel Fernandes just seven minutes to the end stopped short the Women's National Team’s dream of advancing to the round of 16 on its first participation in a FIFA World Cup.

Las Ticas will qualify to the knockout stage if they win, draw or even if they lose to Brazil by a difference of one goal.

The Costa Rican women’s national football team earned its second point in a FIFA World Cup last Saturday, in a 2-2 tie with South Korea....

Ahead of the first World Cup in 1991, 45 teams sought the 11 available slots alongside host China. This year's tournament attracted 128 countries chasing 23 places with Canada, and eight qualified for the first time.

The final score in Las Ticas' debut at Canada's World Cup is the country's first point ever in a FIFA World Cup.

The newspaper’s cover referred to Dinnia Díaz – the goalkeeper of the Costa Rican Women’s National Soccer Team, which just qualified for the Women’s World Cup for the first time in history – as “Keylar.” (This allusion to renowned male Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas is roughly akin to referring to a women’s basketball star as “Michelle Jordan.”)

Las Ticas moved forward with a perfect 3-0-0 record that allowed them to finish on top of Group B in a tournament that will award three direct spots for FIFA’s World Cup in Canada next year.