Alyssa Thompson's late strike clinches SheBelieves title for USWNT

U.S. women's national team defeats Colombia 1-0 to win eighth SheBelieves Cup

Mar. 7, 2026 at 10:50pm

The U.S. women's national team added an eighth SheBelieves Cup to their trophy cabinet after a 1-0 win over Colombia in Harrison, New Jersey on Saturday. Alyssa Thompson's sensational strike in the 81st minute proved to be the difference as the USWNT clinched the title.

Why it matters

The SheBelieves Cup is an important annual tournament for the USWNT as they prepare for major international competitions. This latest victory extends the team's dominance in the event and provides valuable experience against tough opponents like Colombia ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

The details

The U.S. controlled more of the match in the second half but struggled to break down a resolute Colombian defense. Finally, after 81 minutes, Alyssa Thompson found the breakthrough with a stunning strike that hit the crossbar and went in to give the USWNT the win.

  • The match was played on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
  • Alyssa Thompson scored the winning goal in the 81st minute.

The players

Alyssa Thompson

The 21-year-old forward scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute to clinch the SheBelieves Cup title for the USWNT.

Linda Caicedo

The Colombian superstar caused the U.S. defense problems throughout the match with her skill and creativity.

Naomi Girma

The USWNT center-back had to be substituted at halftime due to hamstring tightness.

Tara Rudd

The substitute center-back stepped in seamlessly for the injured Girma in the second half.

Jaedyn Shaw

The USWNT substitute made an immediate impact, with her run and pass setting up the winning goal.

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What they’re saying

“Alyssa's goal was a moment of pure brilliance that capped off a hard-fought win. She's really stepped up this tournament and shown why she's one of the most exciting young talents in the world.”

— Emma Hayes, USWNT Head Coach

What’s next

The USWNT will now turn their attention to preparations for the 2027 World Cup, with a series of friendlies and training camps scheduled over the next year.

The takeaway

The USWNT's eighth SheBelieves Cup title is a testament to the team's depth and resilience, as they overcame a tough challenge from Colombia to maintain their dominance in this important pre-World Cup tournament.