USA are through to the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup after a less then comfortable 2-0 victory over Colombia. 

Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd's first goals of the tournament for USA set up a quarter-final game against China.

Despite what looks like a standard victory by the US, it was far from easy as they struggled to break down a tough Colombia side.

USA won 3-0 in both of the pair’s previous engagements which came at the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 Olympic Tournament. 

Colombia brought a different type of contest for the USA as they are a strong, physical side who like to counter - which is proven by the fact that three of their four goals scored in this tournament have come in the last eight minutes of play plus stoppage time, including two after the 90th minute.

A great start from USA saw them dominate the early possession and camp inside the Colombia half, pushing for a vital early goal.

Plenty of chances for USA

Abby Wambach saw her goal in the third minute ruled out for offside after Tobin Heath's strike was pushed out wide and Wambach's rebound effort was crossed off by the officials.

Following Brazil's surprise exit to Australia on Sunday, Wambach has the chance to equal Marta's World Cup goal scoring record and even break it in what is to be her last World Cup tournament.

Wambach then saw her volley from the edge of the box spectacularly saved by Perez in the Colombia net who went on to make a finger-tip save to deny Morgan.

USA began to pile on the pressure and earned back-to-back corners which produced half-chances but no goals came.

Colombia gain a foothold in the game

The South Americans started to get into the game as the half went on and struck the near post from a free-kick before having two corners in quick succession.

Colombia wouldn't have wanted the half-time whistle to come as they were on top going into the final minutes, having the majority of possession and looking for the opening goal.

Applying the pressure

Colombia couldn't have started the second half any worse as Morgan was instantly played through on goal with just the keeper to beat. She was too fast for the keeper who brought her down on the edge of the area. A penalty was awarded and Perez sent off.

Wambach stepped up to take the spot-kick but her effort was well wide of the goal - a huge opportunity missed.

However it wasn't long until the US capitalised on their player advantage, with Morgan's shot beating substitute keeper Castano Cardoso at the near post, to give USA  the lead.

Another penalty for USA

USA were rightly awarded a second penalty after Megan Rapinoe poked the ball past the defender in the box only to be upended.

This time Lloyd stepped up to take the penalty and she made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to double the US lead.

Winning is winning

Not a vintage display by any means from the US team, but they got the job done to set up a quarter-final clash with China which will take place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

However the US will be without Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday as they picked up yellow cards which sees them suspended for the game.