Colombia beat South Korea as Casey Phair, 16, makes history as youngest-ever player at Women's World Cup

Colombia started their Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Korea in Sydney.

Catalina Usme opened the scoring from the penalty spot before 18-year-old Linda Caicedo made it 2-0 in the 39th minute.

The game was also notable as South Korea substitute Casey Phair became the youngest-ever player at a Women's World Cup.

Phair, aged 16 years and 26 days, was introduced in the 78th minute.

The previous record was held by Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Chiejine, who was 16 years and 34 days old when she played at the World Cup in 1999.

Phair was born in South Korea but moved to the United States when she was just a month old.

She replaced Choe Yuri as South Korea pushed for a way back into the game.

South Korea coach Colin Bell had said ahead of the tournament that Phair was going to be a “valuable member of the squad”.

"We're taking care of her. She's taken very well to the team. She's selected because I think she can help the team now, like every other player. She is going not as a passenger but as a valuable member of the squad."

South Korea fell behind against Colombia when Shim Seo-yeon was penalised for handball in the area and Usme converted from the spot.

Caicedo added a second soon after when she ran from midfield, cut in from the left and curled a shot which beat goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul.

The win moves Colombia level on three points in Group H with Germany, who thrashed Morocco 6-0 in their first match.

Every team at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has now played their opening match.

England play Denmark in their second Group D match on Friday.

Sarina Wiegman’s side started their tournament with a 1-0 win over Haiti.

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