by The elimination of defending champions USA has blown the Women’s World Cup wide open. The competition is expected to continue breaking viewership records and with just under seven hours until the first kick-off, it’s time to get ready for the quarter-finals.
Spain and the Netherlands
Spain turned up the heat on Switzerland, winning the match by 5-1 to ensure a confident place in the quarter-final. It was a strong team performance and the best possible response following the 4-0 humbling by Japan. Aitana Bonmati continued her stellar form in the competition, this time getting on the scoresheet twice, but one also questions Switzerland’s gameplan in attack which appeared to be lacking ideas.
Meanwhile, the 2019 finalists, Netherlands, ended South Africa’s run in the competition by winning 2-0. Jill Roord bagged her fourth in the competition, making her the first Dutch player to reach four goals in a FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. Lineth Beerensteyn marked her return with a goal which gave the Netherlands a comfortable cushion. However, it was goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar that won the player of the match acclaim in a round that saw goalkeepers truly take to the fore.
It sets up an interesting fixture between Spain and the Netherlands who will open the quarter-final stage. Spain will no doubt want to dominate possession, but this is likely something that Andries Jonker’s team will not mind too much as long as they are kept in front of the defence. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will likely exploit the pace of Esmee Brugts, Victoria Pelova and Lineth Beerensteyn much in the same way that Japan did against the Spaniards. The Dutch have also been ruthless in set-pieces, which will be another thing to look out for.
There will also be a battle within the war since Danielle van de Donk’s suspension will likely see Damaris Egurrola start the match. She switched from the Spanish team to the Dutch following a reported hostile encounter with Spanish coach Jorge Vilda on his treatment of female footballers back in 2018. One notes that the Spanish team was set to be missing fifteen major players up until last June following a unison protest. Though many have returned reporting some improvement, there are still major stars missing including Mapi Leon.
Japan and Sweden
There were no surprises when Japan won their fixture against Norway. The Norwegians attempted to bolster their defence with Ingrid Engen dropping deep in between the centre-backs. However, it backfired when she miscued the ball straight into her own net. Though Guro Reiten headed home Vilde Boe Risa’s cross, the latter’s errant back-pass put it for a plate for wing-back Shimizu to get Japan back into the lead. In attempt to salvage the match, Hege Riise introduced Ada Hegerberg from the bench, but in doing so opened spaces for Japan to strike on the counter. In the end, it was another masterclass from a Japanese team that is proving its adaptability on the world stage.
The blockbuster clash between Sweden and defending champions USA lived up to its billing. In a nerve-wracking fixture, the USA had the best chances but were denied by a sturdy defence and a brilliant goalkeeping display from Zecira Musovic. The match could only be decided by penalties and ultimately even that was decided by the smallest of margins. Astonishingly it marks the first time that the USA will walk away from the tournament without a podium finish. It also marks the end of Megan Rapinoe in the competition who leaves with great memories of past victories but a bitter end following a miscued penalty. There will be questions to be answered in the USWNT camp, however, credit must be given to Sweden who executed their gameplan to perfection.
The match between Japan and Sweden will provide a fascinating set of tactical questions for the two teams. Japan have shown versatility and an ability to build attacks from open play, but perhaps have not faced a defence as organised as that of Sweden. On the other hand, Sweden’s goals in the competition have mostly come from set-pieces and there is no doubt that they have the height advantage against Japan. Despite this, they will be wary that any loose balls from set-pieces will be pounced on by Japan and despite having a brick-wall of a goalkeeper, Japan’s clinical finishing will be difficult to keep out.
Australia and France
The Matildas have kept the party going after winning their round of sixteen fixture against Denmark, 2-0. Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso kept up their stellar form to ensure that the hosts secured a spot in the last eight. The team was also boosted by Sam Kerr’s first appearance in the competition late in the match, which switches on alarms for opponents even more than they had already been. On the other hand, though Denmark will no doubt have wanted to progress further, they bow out of the competition with the pride of reaching the knockouts in their first appearance since 2007.
France were dealt debutants Morocco who sprung up a surprise end to the group stage by qualifying instead of heavy-weights Germany. Though the World Cup has dealt its fair share of upsets, there was none to be had in this fixture, with Les Bleues dominating the scoreline, 3-0, within the first twenty-five minutes of the match. Eugenie Le Sommer scored a brace, while Kadidiatou Diani and Kenza Dali completed the scoring, ending Morocco’s hopes of progression.
France will face a tough opponent and a hostile crowd as they contend Australia in the quarter-finals. The competition has already broken attendance records and broadcasting viewership records. However, new heights are expected to achieved as Channel Seven has pushed back the broadcast of the news which also affects the AFL time slot, in favour of the quarter-final fixture, such is the demand for the game.
England and Colombia
The Lionesses were boosted by Keira Walsh’s return but faced a resolute Nigerian side who were prepared to frustrate and were not scared to carve out their own opportunities. Despite this, Sarina Wiegman’s team managed to get over the line following penalties. In doing so they denied the African team their dream of winning a knockout match for the first time.
Ashleigh Plumptre almost got the Super Falcons ahead but rattled the crossbar. After an inability to break down the Nigerian defence, things took a turn for the worse for the Lionesses when Lauren James was sent-off following misconduct in the latter moments of normal time. She has been handed a two match ban, which means she will only return if England make it to the final. Despite this, Nigeria appeared flustered by the 10-player England and could not truly make the extra player pay. The Lionesses held on for all extra time and got over the line in penalties. Unfortunately, Nigeria still have a battle on their hands despite bowing out of the tournament, due to missed payments owed to them by the Nigerian Football Federation from before the competition even started. FIFPro has been enlisted to ensure they are paid their dues.
On the other hand, the match between Colombia and Jamaica was the complete opposite in delivering end-to-end excitement. Despite that, the game was settled with just the one goal in Colombia’s favour. Captain on the day Catalina Usme capped a perfect match by scoring the winner. It had to be special against a Jamaican side that was yet to concede. As for Jamaica, after having had to crowd-fund their appearance in the competition, one hopes that they will finally get the investment that they deserve.
The match between England and Colombia will be the last quarter-final to be played. Despite the difference in FIFA world ranking, one hesitates to make predictions as to how it will turn out. Colombia have not been scared to play their game against big opposition and based on this perhaps it will be a more open match than England’s encounter with Nigeria. Stopping Linda Caicedo will surely be on England’s wishlist but it will not be so straightforward with both Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway a booking away from missing the semi-final. However, Colombia thread an even finer line, with defenders Daniela and Carolina Arias, midfielder duo Diana Ospina and Lorena Bedoya, as well as goalkeeper Catalina Perez, in that list.
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