The Junior Football Ferns have exited the FIFA U20 Women's Football World Cup, drawing their final pool match 2-2 against Colombia.
Needing victory to advance - and hoping for a favour from Mexico against Germany in the other Pool B clash - New Zealand were held to a draw by a shorthanded Colombia side, after a red card to defender Yirleidis Minota.
The draw sees them exit the tournament with two draws - after an opening deadlock against Mexico - and defeat against Germany.
Needing victory to keep their hopes alive, striker Emily Clegg opened the scoring inside three minutes, curling a left-footed shot past the Colombia keeper.
But group leaders Colombia - also needing victory to progress - hit back less than 10 minutes later, as forward Linda Caicedo found the back of the net from outside the box.
Before the break, the South Americans were reduced to 10, as Minota was shown a straight red card for a challenge on New Zealand's Ava Pritchard, after video assistant referee (VAR) intervention.
But despite being down a player Colombia took the lead after halftime, as Caicedo added her second with a run from the left flank, before beating goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff.
Substitute Charlotte Lancaster levelled the scores with a stunning curling effort from the right, but it was too little too late, as Mexico beat Germany to end New Zealand's hopes of advancing.
Colombia's win saw them finish top of the group on goal difference, while Mexico also advanced as runners-up.
Germany missed out in third place, while the Junior Football Ferns finished bottom of the group with two points.
New Zealand 2 (Clegg, Lancaster) Colombia 2 (Caicedo 2)
