Last updated on .From the section Women's Football

The USA won the Women's World Cup in 1991 and 1999

Two-time champions United States secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup after overcoming a stubborn Colombia.

After a goalless first half, Colombia had goalkeeper Catalina Perez sent off for a foul in the area, although Abby Wambach missed the resulting penalty.

Alex Morgan drove in the opener soon after and victory was sealed when Carli Lloyd converted a spot-kick after Megan Rapinoe was fouled.

The USA will next play China on Friday.

It was far from a comfortable win for the USA, who are ranked second in the world, as they struggled to break down Colombia side in the first half.

Colombia produced one of the shocks of the tournament by beating world number three France 2-0 in the group stage and they were clearly determined to create another upset as they set about unsettling their opponents.

They restricted the USA to just one notable shot on goal before half-time, Wambach's vicious strike from the edge of the area that forced Colombia goalkeeper Perez into a fine one-handed save.

Perez, though, undid her good work soon after the restart, receiving a red card when she brought down Morgan just inside the area. That presented Wambach with the chance to score a record-equalling 15th World Cup goal but she hooked the spot-kick wide.

Colombia's reprieve lasted for a matter of minutes, however, as the USA quickly set about making amends, with Morgan making the breakthrough when she broke free of the defence before driving the ball into the net at the near post.

The goal broke Colombia's resolve and the win was cemented when Rapinoe drew a foul from tired legs inside the box and, with penalty-taking duties handed to Lloyd, the midfielder made no mistake.