by Three nations proceed into the knockout stages unblemished. Dream qualifications for South Africa, Jamaica and Morocco, were contrasted by early exits for top nations, marking also the last bow for Marta & Christine Sinclair on the world stage. The Knockouts promise more drama, including a blockbuster match between Sweden and the USA.
Japan, Sweden and England Emerge With Perfect Record
Sarina Wiegman and her team delivered a tactical masterclass that saw England thrash China by 6-1 to top Group D. The performance will have boosted confidence in the forward line following a serious drought in open-play goals in the last few months. However, the standout performance by Lauren James, who netted two (allowed) goals and three assists, took most headlines. On the other hand, the Asian Cup winners will bow out with plenty of work to do following another lackluster campaign. Denmark secured the other spot with a 2-0 win over Haiti, with Pernille Harder scoring her first goal in the competition from the spot and Sanne Troelsgaard finishing things off in injury time.
Though Group C had been settled, few would have expected Japan to beat Spain by 4-0. If there were any doubts that the Japanese mean business, that was the statement that nailed it home. Although Zambia were already eliminated, they ended things by notching their first victory in the competition, beating Costa Rica 3-1.
Sweden were the third and final side to win all three of their group games (alongside Japan and England). They ended Argentina’s hopes of qualification by beating them 2-0. Meanwhile, South Africa will make their first appearance in the knockout rounds this year, after beating Italy 3-2, in a game that had pulses racing. Another group stage exit has piled criticism in Italy, with the players putting out a statement with plenty food for thought as to how a group of sixteen players who did so well in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last season, could be so unprepared for this competition.
Norway and Netherlands finish in style, USA scrape through
Group A kicked off with a redeeming show by Norway, who secured a place in the last sixteen following a 6-0 victory over the Philippines. Meanwhile, Switzerland topped the group following a draw against co-hosts New Zealand who could not quite deliver the fairytale response.
Though Group E saw the two expected sides qualify, in the Netherlands and the USA, it was the Europeans who held the first spot following a commanding 7-0 victory over Vietnam. Jill Roord continued her goalscoring form, but like for England, the match served as a confidence boost for the forward line. World Cup finalists Lieke Martens and Danielle Van de Donk found the net, while Esmee Brugts put stock to the praise laid on her by grabbing brace in style.
On the other hand, the USA just managed to scrape through following a 0-0 draw against Portugal, with the Portuguese being denied by the woodwork in the dying moments. Comments from Carli Lloyd and Heather O’Reilly divided opinions on the mentality of the team, while criticism continues to pile on coach Vlatko Andonovski. Things will only get tougher for the defending champions, with an in-form Sweden awaiting in the next stage.
Australia, Morocco and Jamaica Elated at the Expense of Canada, Germany and Brazil
The hosts Australia cruised to a 4-0 victory over Canada, without Sam Kerr having yet stepped foot onto the pitch. Australia delivered a dominant performance to ensure their place in the last sixteen. On the flipside, the Canadian team appeared shattered, not just by the result but by their prospects, as talks with the federation continue to dominate headlines. Outside criticism has been split, between the on-pitch decisions by Bev Priestman, but perhaps even more at the fact that the team was put on the negotiation table a couple of days prior to such an important match.
Meanwhile, Jamaica dominated headlines following their 0-0 draw against Brazil, which saw them qualify for the first time. Bittersweet scenes followed once again, with the result also signalling a changing of the guard as Khadija Shaw exchanged words with Marta. France also progressed following a 6-3 victory over Panama. Despite the loss, Panama’s Marta Cox has put herself in the running for one of the best goals in the competition with a sumptuous free-kick.
The final day of the group stage threw up another surprise as world number 72 Morocco qualified at the expense of Germany. Morocco’s Anissa Lahmari goal ensured a 1-0 victory over leaders Colombia (who also qualify), while Germany could only manage a 1-1 draw against South Korea.
Marta and Sinclair’s Final Bows
Canada’s hopes of a statement performance in the World Cup were ended by hosts Australia, and with them was Christine Sinclair’s final world cup appearance. In contrast to Marta’s exit, Sinclair’s went more quietly, though perhaps that is exactly true to the character of the two players. The Canadian simply picked up a blade of grass from the pitch and walked into the tunnel following the match. She leaves the world stage as the all-time international top goalscorer (in both men’s and women’s categories), with 190 goals in 325 appearances.
Asked to sum up the performance by the Canadian media, the captain said, “”Obviously it’s hard, but win or lose, we do it together. From the ecstasy of two summers ago, winning gold, to losing tonight… as painful as it is, it’s part of sport, and you have to be able to accept the losses the same way you accept the wins.”
Following Brazil’s early exit, Marta’s on pitch interview with Fox Sports was as raw as one could expect, saying “Not even in my worst nightmares was it the World Cup I dreamed of”. Even so, she found a way to look to the future with hope and passion to push the game forward, “The Brazilian people asked for renewal, this is renewal. It’s just the beginning for them.” She also praised the lower ranked sides for bringing their best foot forward, “This shows that women’s football is a product that gives profit, that gives enjoyment to watch. So support. Keep supporting. Marta ends here, there is no more World Cup for Marta. I’m very grateful for the opportunity I had to play another World Cup. And I’m very happy with all that has been happening in women’s football in Brazil and the world. Keep supporting, because for them it is just the beginning. For me, it’s the end of the line now. Thank you.”
This was the first time that Brazil did not progress from the group stage since Marta’s first appearance in 1995. She bows out with the best goalscoring record in the competition from both women’s and men’s competitions, at seventeen goals scored across five editions.
Knockout Fixtures
Things will only get tougher as the competition heads into the knockout rounds. Switzerland will kick things off against Spain on Saturday, which will likely see the Swiss sitting deep until an opportunity to pounce arises. It will be followed by Japan against Norway. Based on the group stage, Japan have emerged as the favourites but there is no telling which version of Norway will turn up.
Sunday sees the Netherlands take on South Africa, followed by a blockbuster of a match as Sweden take on the defending champions, USA.
England will face Nigeria on Monday, with the Africans aiming to make the quarter-finals for the first time. England may be boosted by Keira Walsh who returned to training, but following the dominant performance against China, it will be interesting to see which system Sarina Wiegman will employ. Hosts Australia will then welcome Denmark later in the day. The final group of fixtures will see Colombia take on Jamaica, while France welcome Morocco.
If the group stage has shown anything, it is that anyone can cause an upset. The stage is set for some more history to be made.
Lead Photos: FIFA via X
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