Report: Colombia 0-0 England WU20s

England women's under-20s finished their USA preparation camp unbeaten, with a penalty shootout victory over Colombia after an entertaining goalless draw, as Lydia Bedford's side continue to build towards September's FIFA U20 Women's World Cup.

The result meant England won the mini-tournament following their 1-1 draw with the USA last week, and the Colombians' 1-0 win over the American hosts on Sunday.

On another hot and humid day at US Soccer’s new national training centre in Georgia, England rounded off their final test with another encouraging performance. The Young Lionesses dominated possession throughout against a well-organised Colombia side, who sat in a disciplined low block and looked to threaten on the counter-attack.

It was England who created the better chances during the first half. Princess Ademiluyi came closest when clever linkup play between Vera Jones and Lola Brown unlocked the Colombian defence, with the striker holding off two defenders before seeing her curling effort pushed away by Colombian goalkeeper Sophia Quiroga. Lucy Newell also fired narrowly wide after reacting quickest to a loose ball, while Vera Jones almost caught the goalkeeper out with a dangerous corner delivery.

Colombia's best opportunity came midway through the opening half, but Katie Cox produced an impressive one-on-one save to preserve the deadlock.

England carried their momentum into the second half and almost went ahead within minutes when Newell's perfectly weighted pass over the Colombian defence released Ademiluyi, whose effort from a tight angle was tipped over the bar.

The Young Lionesses thought they had found the breakthrough just before the hour mark when Rachel Maltby fired home from a clever free-kick routine, only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul. Moments later, Brown came within inches of a stunning opener as her long-range free-kick crashed back off the post.

Despite England's continued pressure, Colombia held on to force penalties. Cox proved to be the hero, saving Colombia's opening spot-kick before England converted through Laila Harbert, Lexi Potter, Rachel Maltby, Jessie Gale and Eva Hendle. Cox then produced her second save of the shootout to secure a 5-4 victory.

The result concludes a productive three-match camp in the USA, with the Young Lionesses taking plenty of encouragement into the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup later this year. England will begin their campaign against Canada on Saturday 5 September (5pm BST) in Bielsko-Biala.

England: 1. Katie Cox (Chelsea), 2 Chloe B. Hylton (Carolina Ascent), 3 Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea), 4 Lexi Potter (Chelsea), 5 Lucy Newell (Manchester United), 6 Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Arsenal, on loan to FC Rosengård), 7 Layla Drury (Manchester United), 8 Laila Harbert (Arsenal) (c), 9 Princess Ademiluyi (Gotham FC), 10 Lola Brown (Chelsea), 11 Vera Jones (Chelsea)

Substitutes: 12 Rachel Maltby (Aston Villa) for Drury 45, 21 Ria Bose (West Ham) for Hylton 74, 18 Eva Hendle (Chelsea) for Sarwie 74, 19 Jessie Gale (Arsenal) for Ademiluyi 74, 23 Lily Dent (Brighton & Hove Albion) for Jones 92, 15 Chloe Paxton (Sunderland) for Newell 95

Substitutes not used: 13 Kaiya Jota (Stanford University), 14 May Cruft (Rangers), 16 Grace McEwen (Brighton & Hove Albion), 17 Vivienne Lia (Arsenal), 20 Denny Draper (Leicester City), 22 Sophia Poor (London City Lionesses)

Head coach: Lydia Bedford