Tag: FIFA Women's World Cup

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The verdict is still out on the legitimacy of both Australia and England at the Women’s World Cup, where each team has a chance Monday to move into the quarterfinals and make a claim as true tournament contenders.

England swept through three games of Group D play and allowed just one goal, which came in an emphatic 6-1 victory over China. But the European Champions were a bit flat in earlier 1-0 wins against Haiti and Denmark.

Either way, England joined Japan and Sweden as the only three teams to go a perfect 3-0 in group play. Next up for the Lionesses is a knockout game against Nigeria, which used a 3-2 upset over Australia to move into the round of 16.

Nigeria has qualified for the World Cup in all nine of its editions but has reached the quarterfinals only once, in 1999. Nigeria is the only African team to ever advance to the quarterfinals, and will try to do it again against England.

“They are the European champions and we just have to try our best to make Nigeria proud again. We are expecting nothing but a difficult game, to be sincere with you,” Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie said. “But we believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians and we will come out strong.”

Australia, meanwhile, had a nerve-racking time in group play. Without injured striker Sam Kerr, the Matildas looked only mediocre in a 1-0 win over Ireland, then were shocked by their loss to Nigeria. It sent Australia into a must-win Group B finale against Canada, and Australia eliminated the Tokyo Olympics gold medalists 4-0.

Australia now faces Denmark in a must-win game for the World Cup co-hosts to continue in this tournament. Denmark beat Haiti and China in group play, but lost to England.

ENGLAND-NIGERIA

England did not play at the level expected of the European Champions in its first two group-stage matches, so the Lionesses went to a tactical change in formation, switching from 4-3-3 to 3-4-1-2 for the win over China.

England coach Sarina Wiegman is expected to continue with that strategy for the Monday night match in Brisbane, Australia. Lauren James has led the Lionesses with three goals in the last two matches, and the team has never lost a competitive match under Wiegman’s guidance.

Nigeria has not lost a match since February, when it ended a run of seven defeats, and has logged four wins and two draws since then. The Super Falcons bookended group play with scoreless draws against Canada and Ireland, with the middle-game victory over Australia enough to get them into the knockout round.

Nigeria has never won in the knockout round of the World Cup.

The Super Falcons get Deborah Abiodun back against England after the forward missed two matches after receiving a red card in the opening game against Canada. Desire Oparanozie, another forward, has also been injured for Nigeria but is expected to be available against England.

“She’s had a few days of good training in between Ireland and England,” Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum said Sunday. “The game is going to dictate how we make our moves. But the good thing is she is now available. That’s the good news.”

Waldrum is unlikely to alter the lineup much and will probably have Abiodun and Oparanozie on the bench for the start.

“I think already with what we’ve accomplished, Nigeria is buzzing again,” Waldrum said. “I don’t think people expected us to get out of the group, or to get the results that we’ve gotten. So it’s already been a big success. Not only have we now beaten the Olympic gold medalist, but if you can turn around and beat the European champions, it would be something extremely special for the people in Nigeria and, more importantly, for this squad. It could certainly be transformational in a lot of different ways.”

AUSTRALIA-DENMARK

Australia managed to win Group B despite mediocre play and the absence of star Sam Kerr, who was out with a calf injury for all three games.

The surprising 3-2 loss to Nigeria had Australia on the ropes, but the win over Canada was enough to earn the Matildas the knockout round match against Denmark in Sydney. Kerr, who said ahead of the Canada game she was fit but didn’t play, is expected to be used against Denmark.

“This is do or die now,” said Australia goalie Mackenzie Arnold. “Historically, we’ve always really performed well with our backs against the wall.”

Australia was last in the knockout stage of the World Cup in 2019, losing to Norway on penalty kicks. The match is the second time Denmark and Australia will play in a year; the Matildas earned their first win ever over the Danes in a 3-1 friendly played Viborg, Denmark, last October.

Denmark is back in the tournament for the first time since 2007, and the team made it to the quarterfinals in 1991 and 1995, but didn’t make it out of group play again until this year. Denmark only allowed one goal over three games to advance, and is powered by forward Pernille Harder, who has scored 71 goals in her international career. Harder scored on a penalty kick against Haiti in last week’s final game of group play.

“Denmark have a lot of quality players all over the pitch and world-class in their final third,” Matildas’ defender Clare Polkinghorne said. “It’s definitely going to be a tough job for us to keep them contained, but I think as the games go on, obviously, your defense is going to be key.”

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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

BRISBANE, Australia — South Korea showed its age in the Women’s World Cup and is now looking toward necessary changes to get to the next level.

The rebuild will be built around 16-year-old phenom Casey Phair, the first multiracial er named to the South Korea national team. Phair was born in South Korea to an American father and South Korean mother and resides in New Jersey in the United States.

From a performance side, South Korea closed its tournament with strong play in a 1-1 draw that eliminated both teams. But sending home the two-time champion Germans is considered one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.

From the emotional side, it was likely the final game for this current South Korean team, which is expecting significant turnover with 32-year-old Ji So-yun among those on the way out.

South Korea coach Colin Bell is ready for new players.

“We have to build a new team,” he said. “We need to look at the system in Korea and make the right decisions to secure the future of South Korean .”

South Korea’s future certainly rides with Phair, who became the youngest player in a World Cup match when she got on the field in the team’s opening match against Colombia.

She earned her first World Cup start in Thursday’s draw with Germany.

“I wanted youth and enthusiasm up front,” Bell said. “It was important to show and prove that we have talented players. That energy went through the whole team.”

Phair nearly scored just two minutes into her start, but her shot on goal hit the post. She felt good about her debut as she prepared to return to the U.S.

“I feel like I’ve gotten more mature about the game,” Phair said. “Especially with older teammates. I thought it was a really great experience.”

Phair played 85 minutes before Bell pulled her; he’s deliberately managing her minutes.

“I don’t want to build somebody up too quickly,” he said, “We have to make sure that we take care of these young players.”

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Brooke Evans and Taft Gantt are students at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

RABAT, Morocco — In the picturesque town of Sale, the shock and euphoria of Morocco’s soccer team advancing to the knockout round of the Women’s World Cup were palpable.

“We did not expect this accomplishment,” said Ghita Alaoui, an IT consultant who was at the Hollywood cafe.

Especially after a 6-0 loss to Germany in the opener. But a 1-0 victory over Colombia on Thursday propelled Morocco beyond the group stage — a first for an Arab or North African nation.

The team’s success is being talked about in the bustling cafes and restaurants of Rabat, where news of the victory was spreading. Hicham El Haddaoui, a waiter at Abtal Al Cham restaurant, spoke about his newfound appreciation for women’s soccer.

“I was not used to watching Moroccan women’s ,” he said.

However, the World Cup games have changed his perspective.

News of the accomplishment went viral on social media, though word spread later in the day because many people were still at work — if not on vacation. So there were no immediate widespread street celebrations or car honking taking place.

Still, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.

“This achievement truly exemplifies the hard work and determination demonstrated by the Moroccan women’s team,” said Ibrahim Barakat, a 25-year-old student in Rabat. “Despite suffering a loss in the opening game, they showed their true character by not only taking part but also qualifying (for the next round).”

While men’s soccer has long been the dominant sport in Morocco, reactions to the women’s team’s success have shown a remarkable shift. Even as the time difference has affected spectator interaction, the women’s team’s performance has sparked a surge of national pride and interest in women’s soccer.

This is not to say that the accomplishment has been universally celebrated. In some parts of the Arab world, the historical bias against women’s soccer remains prevalent, as evidenced by the limited media coverage and attention given to the team’s performance.

Nonetheless, the team’s historic run has created interest and brought visibility to the women’s game in the country. This shift, although not seismic, marks a significant step forward for the sport in a region where it has traditionally been overshadowed by the men’s game.

At the cafe in Sale, a suburb of the Moroccan capital of Rabat, Alaoui said the team’s resiliency has convinced her that they’re capable of “even more impressive feats in the matches to come.”

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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

Alex Morgan was speaking to reporters at the Women’s World Cup when she had to excuse herself to Facetime her young daughter before the toddler’s bedtime back home in the United States.

Just another day for a working mom.

Forget about orange slices, players such as Morgan, Katrina Gorry of Australia and Cheyna Matthews of Jamaica are redefining what it means to be a “soccer mom.”

There have been plenty of elite athletes who have also juggled parenthood, but the level of support the mothers are receiving while on the job at the Women’s World Cup is improving.

Morgan’s daughter, Charlie, has now joined her mother at the World Cup as the United States prepares for a Round of 16 match against Sweden on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia.

Morgan has been reflective about being both a parent and a player at soccer’s biggest international tournament. In 2019, when the United States won its second straight World Cup trophy and fourth overall, now 3-year-old Charlie hadn’t even been born.

Now that the American star has a daughter, she’s had to balance her job with trying to lead the United States to an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title.

“I have become a little bit more patient with my daughter and in life in general. But I think the biggest thing about it is that I get to bring my daughter with me. On all of these trips, I get to show her what mom does and surround her by just so many strong and confident women,” Morgan said.

There are three moms on the U.S. team: Morgan, Crystal Dunn and Julie Ertz. Other moms at this World Cup include Konya Plummer of Jamaica, Amel Majri of France, Vanina Correa of Argentina and Melanie Leuopolz of Germany.

Morgan, Ertz and Dunn have all become mothers since winning the World Cup in 2019, and all three are benefitting from the battles that prior players fought to make sure that moms — and their kids — were supported while representing the United States abroad.

The U.S. women have enjoyed subsidized child care at tournaments for 25 years, but now, thanks to collective bargaining agreements that were struck last year with U.S. Soccer, the men have it, too. Those agreements guaranteed that both national teams were paid equally and received similar benefits.

“It was important to us and to the women that everything was equal, and we were very transparent about that,” said goalkeeper Matt Turner, who brought his wife and son to the men’s World Cup in Qatar late last year. “We’re going to take advantage of the different benefits that the other team might have had.”

Majri is the mother of a 1-year old daughter, Maryam, who accompanied her to a training camp in April. Her daughter’s presence was supported by French coach Herve Renard.

“There needs to be organized facilities, with a nanny. It won’t affect the team, and psychologically speaking, it’s very important. In order for her to have peace of mind and to perform well, the two need to be associated,” Renard said. “There is progress to be made in terms of assistance. We’re going to manage what they do in the USA. Maybe one day we’ll end up with four or five kids among us, and if things run smoothly, it won’t be an issue.”

In 2020, FIFA adopted rules to protect women who choose to become parents, including mandatory maternity leave of at least 14 weeks, and continued pay at a minimum of two-thirds of their salary. The rules also require clubs to make sure women are reintegrated after childbirth and that they have necessary medical support.

“No female player should ever suffer a disadvantage as a result of becoming pregnant, thus securing greater employment protection for women in football,” FIFA said in announcing the new rules.

While all of the Americans have their kids with them at the World Cup, others choose to leave them at home.

“Being a mom and leaving them at home is hard, but it is obviously a personal decision to be here. They are enjoying it from home, they didn’t ask to come,” said Correa, Argentina’s goalkeeper, and the mother of twins. “They have told me they are proud that I’m here. I know they are with me and it gives me the energy and drive to be here.”

Moms at the World Cup are helping show that parenting and soccer can mix, but some are slow to catch on. A television commentator came under fire for his comments about Gorry, who had IVF treatments and gave birth to her daughter, Harper, in 2021.

“Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure,” the Australian broadcaster said during the Matlidas’ tournament-opener against Ireland.

Ertz gave birth to son, Madden, last year and worked hard to get back in time for the World Cup. It was tough for Ertz because she had not played for the team since the 2021 Olympics because of injuries and her pregnancy.

“I think the truth is, I had no idea what my timeline was going to be where typically, like, obviously, pregnancy changes for your body changes it for so long versus like an injury, which usually has a timeline,” she said.

Madden has a village caring for him at the World Cup, including his dad, Arizona Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz — and of course all his `aunts’ on the U.S. team.

“Like anything else in life, you figure it out, and we’re doing it together as a family,” Julie Ertz said. “It’s just a really cool opportunity to be able to share with them.”

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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

HAMILTON, New Zealand — Rebecka Blomqvist’s second-half goal lifted Sweden to a 2-0 win over Argentina on Wednesday to advance the Blagult to a round-of-16 showdown with the United States in the Women’s World Cup.

Argentina was eliminated from the tournament.

Neither side looked close to scoring for much of the match until Blomqvist broke the deadlock with a headed goal at the 66th-minute mark to help the blue and yellow finish 3-0 and win Group G.

Sweden, which rested nine starters to open the match, threatened at times in the first half. A combination of disjointed play and fouls prevented Sweden from taking early control of the game.

Playing at times in a pelting rain, Argentina did not create a real chance in open play, and suffered a blow when veteran Florencia Bonsegundo was stretchered off in tears after a late tackle by Blomqvist in the 41st minute.

Late in the match, Gabriela Chavez committed a foul while defending a corner kick. Elin Rubensson converted the penalty kick in stoppage time to seal the victory for Sweden.

Swedish captain Caroline Seeger made her 20th Women’s World Cup appearance Wednesday to equal Hedvig Lindahl’s tournament record for Sweden.

Over 17,900 spectators packed Waikato Stadium, which holds just 18,009. The crowd was full of Argentina supporters who sang and chanted for all 90 minutes, plus stoppage time, on a brisk night in Hamilton.

KEY MOMENTS

Stout defense was on full display for over an hour, but Blomqvist managed to push the blue and yellow over the line against Argentina.

Sofia Jakobsson picked out the head of Blomqvist perfectly on a cross from just outside the 18-yard box for the decisive goal.

WHY IT MATTERS

The clash between the United States, the two-time reigning World Cup champions, and third-ranked Sweden will be their seventh meeting and tie the record for the most-played matchup in Women’s World Cup history.

Argentina’s run ended in the group stage just as it had in its three previous appearances, in 2019, 2007 and 2003. La Albiceleste are still without a tournament win.

WHAT’S NEXT

Sweden travels to Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday for the U.S. match.

Argentina is knocked out of the Women’s World Cup.

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Luke Vargas is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.

__ AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

SYDNEY — The Women’s World Cup is taking shape with shocks and highlights as it nears the end of the group stage.

Some players have established themselves as ones to watch, like Colombia star Linda Caicedo, who has made her team one of the tournament surprises. Colombia picked up an upset win over Germany, and Nigeria upset co-host Australia — just two of the games that showed the gap has closed at top level women’s soccer.

But co-host New Zealand was eliminated, and other big teams are in danger of not advancing headed into the final few days of group play.

The Associated Press takes a look at some of the highlights and lowlights so far:

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT

There have been a number of contenders and Bia Zaneratto’s strike against Panama after a sweeping move from Brazil stands out as the most complete goal so far.

Ireland’s Katie McCabe scored directly from a corner kick against Canada, and England’s Lauren James curled in a long range effort against Denmark.

Even so, Caicedo’s solo goal in Colombia’s dramatic 2-1 win against Germany is the pick of the bunch. With a flash of skill, she beat two German players in the box before lashing a shot into the top corner as the Sydney crowd dominated by Colombia fans went wild.

MOMENT OF THE TOURNAMENT

It has to be Manuela Vanegas’ late winner for Colombia against Germany. Alexandra Popp seemed to position two-time champion Germany for a draw with an 89th-minute penalty.

But Vanegas’ header in the 97th minute gave Colombia a World Cup upset.

COMEBACK

Norway looked down and out after an opening game loss to co-host New Zealand and a goalless draw against Switzerland. With star player Ada Hegerberg injured, the odds were beginning to stack up against the Norwegians going into their final Group A match against the Philippines.

But three goals within 31 minutes set up a 6-0 rout that saw Norway advance to the knockout rounds in second place. The Norway win knocked New Zealand out of the tournament, making the Football Ferns the first host to be eliminated in group play in tournament history.

EMERGING STARS

Caicedo’s standout performances aren’t a surprise to those who have followed her career. The Real Madrid forward has long-been tipped to be one of the biggest stars in women’s soccer.

She hasn’t disappointed in her first World Cup and has inspired Colombia to back-to-back wins with goals in each game.

England coach Sarina Wiegman unleashed Chelsea forward James from the start in the Lionesses’ second game against Denmark, and she made a quick impression. Collecting the ball outside the area after six minutes, she swept a curling effort past Lene Christensen.

Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay has shown flashes of the talent that earned her a move to French powerhouse Lyon, while 19-year-old Aoba Fujino has become the youngest player to score at a World Cup for Japan’s men’s or women’s teams.

Casey Phair, a 16 year old, became the youngest-ever player to appear in a senior soccer World Cup when she was a second-half substitute for South Korea against Colombia.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

While youngsters have capitalized on their chance to shine, some of the established names have yet to make their mark.

There have been differing reasons for that.

Sam Kerr’s calf injury robbed Australia of its star striker for its opening two games, while Hegerberg’s groin injury has cut her playing time for Norway.

Alex Morgan, who was the co-leading scorer at the last World Cup, is still finding her footing in the United States’ new look attack.

Record international scorer Christine Sinclair was benched for Canada’s second game and is still waiting for her first goal of the tournament, while Brazil great Marta has also been used sparingly.

SURPRISES

New Zealand kicked the tournament off with a 1-0 win against Norway, but couldn’t keep up its momentum and went on to lose by the same score to the Philippines to set up the co-host’s early exit.

Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with fifth-ranked France was described by its coach Lorne Donaldson as the country’s greatest soccer result, for men or women. But the biggest surprise could be yet to come if Jamaica can avoid defeat against Brazil to advance to the round of 16.

Colombia’s dramatic late winner against Germany, meanwhile, was one of the great upsets.

ENTERTAINERS

The goals have been flowing for Spain and Japan, teams that both advanced from the group stage with a game to spare. Both teams secured 5-0 wins against Zambia and both have produced technically excellent displays.

Germany was on a high after its 6-0 rout of Morocco, but was humbled by Colombia.

Sweden routed Italy 5-0, while Norway found its scoring touch just in time against the Philippines.

ONES TO WATCH

Some of the favorites have made underwhelming starts. The two-time defending champion United States, England, Germany and France have not been totally convincing in group play and the tournament still looks wide open.

Colombia looks legitimate, and with Kerr back in action, Australia could become a contender.

The Netherlands look like serious contenders, while Spain and Japan have impressed. Brazil has shown flashes, but faces a fight to advance from the group stage.

Nigeria has shown it is dangerous, and Sweden has picked up back-to-back wins.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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More AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

DUNEDIN, New Zealand — New Zealand outshot Switzerland and even moved goalkeeper Victoria Esson into an attack position several times, but failed to break a 0-0 tie Sunday in the Women’s World Cup and became the first host nation to be eliminated in group play in tournament history.

The Football Ferns are co-hosting the World Cup with Australia, which must win Monday against Canada to avoid its own early elimination.

Switzerland advanced to the round of 16. The Swiss also played to a scoreless draw against Norway, but won the group with the draw against New Zealand, coupled with the Norwegians’ simultaneous 6-0 rout of the Philippines.

New Zealand controlled the pace for long stretches of the match and had its chances to score, outshooting Switzerland 12-3. Jacqui Hand knocked a shot off the right post in the 24th minute.

All 25,947 seats at Forsyth Barr Stadiums were filled — the only one of Dunedin’s six tournament matches to sell out. The raucous crowd stomped and cheered all night, to no avail.

The tournament began July 20 with New Zealand upsetting Norway 1-0, but the Ferns failed to score from the 48th minute of that match through two more games. They lost their previous match 1-0 against the Philippines.

KEY MOMENTS

Esson moved into an offensive position several times in the last minutes of the match as New Zealand pressed for a winner. She managed a header off a corner kick but was off target.

WHY IT MATTERS

Switzerland becomes one of two teams from Group A to advance to the round of 16. It’s only the team’s second time in the knockout round — the first was in the Swiss’ only previous Women’s World Cup in 2015.

The New Zealanders’ failure to score put an end to their Women’s World Cup run.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“Just gutted, I think. Obviously we talked and we were proud of ourselves and what we’ve been able to accomplish, but at the end of the day we wanted to get out of this group stage and we just didn’t. It’s just black and white. So, obviously gutted,” said New Zealand midfielder Malia Steinmetz of the elimination.

“We expected it to be really tough. New Zealand really tried everything they could, and I think we knew how to respond, especially defensively. We did a lot right,” said Inka Grings, Switzerland’s coach.

WHAT’S NEXT

Switzerland will play either Spain or Japan from Group C, pending a match between those teams on Monday to decide the top two places in that group.

New Zealand is done for the Women’s World Cup.

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Ellen McIntyre is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.

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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports