The 2023 Girls’s World Cup is in full swing, and these each day information provide the newest reporting from across the match in addition to betting traces, what-to-watch-for data and finest reads. Test in with ESPN all through the match as we deliver you the most recent from Australia and New Zealand.
The lead: Jamaica maintain Brazil to ship them crashing out
MELBOURNE/NAARM — The top of a soccer match usually sees a juxtaposition of feelings: from hovering ecstasy to deepest despair. When referee Esther Staubli blew her whistle to sign the conclusion of Jamaica’s 0-0 draw with Brazil on Wednesday, a dagger was despatched by the spirit of all with Joga Bonito of their hearts.
A rustic the place something lower than a World Cup win is seen as an underachievement (even when that set expectations unfairly excessive for a ladies’s group persistently denied funding and alternative), was eradicated within the group stage of the Girls’s World Cup for the primary time since 1995. What was alleged to be a match that highlighted the beginning of a brand new chapter of ladies’s soccer in Brazil turned bitter.
– Girls’s World Cup: Touchdown web page | Schedule | Rosters | Information
– How groups can qualify for the spherical of 16
And but on the opposite facet, there was pleasure. Not simply pleasure, however sheer, unbridled jubilation from the Reggae Girlz. In solely their second World Cup, coach Lorne Donaldson’s group reached the spherical of 16 for the primary time. They’d defeated Panama to file their first win at a World Cup and held each France and Brazil to attracts on their approach by.
Jamaica’s playbook for Wednesday was easy: defend. In opposition to France, they retained simply 24% of possession and spent 30% of the time in both a mid- or low-block. In opposition to Brazil, they’d barely extra of the ball however spent nearly 40% of their time in a low-block.
Nevertheless it labored. By half-time, Brazil had produced just one shot that got here even near being heading in the right direction: a Thirty ninth-minute bid from Tamires that was saved on the close to publish by Rebecca Spencer. Their finest likelihood of the second half was a chaotic scramble from a nook by which gamers desperately threw themselves in each route till Debinha despatched in a header at Spencer. Joga Bonito saved operating right into a brick wall.
Within the 82nd minute, Khadija Shaw broke free and blasted an effort over the bar for the Jamaicans’ first shot, however they did not must win to advance. They wanted to stay to the plan, handle the sport and, if wanted, name upon the darkish arts of time-wasting. Successful, or on this case drawing, video games like it is a ability, and after demonstrating it with aplomb (twice), the Reggae Girlz deserve their second.
Brazil veteran Marta, enjoying in her final World Cup, had spoken earlier this week of the rise of nations like Jamaica at this match, declaring that “the extra we work, the more durable we work, and the extra we dedicate ourselves, the extra alternatives we create.” This, she stated, “brings brilliance to ladies’s soccer.” On this evening, Jamaica’s brilliance shone by. — Joey Lynch
Information of the day
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USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski dismissed criticism by former participant Carli Lloyd after the group’s 0-0 draw towards Portugal on Tuesday, calling it “insane” to doubt the gamers’ drive to win. Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner who works as an analyst for Fox Sports activities, stated after the match: “I am simply seeing a really lackluster, uninspiring, taking-it-for-granted [effort].” When requested for his response to Lloyd’s feedback, Andonovski stated: “Everyone seems to be entitled to their opinion, they’ll say no matter they need, however I simply understand how this group feels.” The U.S. completed second in Group E behind the Netherlands.
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Regardless of the VAR disallowing a would-be hat trick, England midfielder Lauren James stated her two-goal efficiency towards China was “what desires are made from.” The Chelsea playmaker (and sister of England/Chelsea males’s star Reece James) shifted into the No. 10 position for Sarina Weigman’s facet in Tuesday’s 6-1 win, which solidified the highest spot in Group D. “[James] feels good, you’ll be able to inform,” Wiegman stated after the sport. “She did particular issues right this moment. Sadly, that one aim was canceled. She flows over the pitch.” The Lionesses subsequent tackle Nigeria within the spherical of 16.
At this time in USWNT camp
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USWNT ‘survives’ group stage, however it will not be sufficient vs. Sweden
Alexis Nunes experiences from Auckland because the USWNT advances by the World Cup group stage in underwhelming trend.
The “survive and advance” mantra, coined by famed school basketball coach Jim Valvano a few years in the past, implies that the profitable group did some issues nicely, however this was a surprising efficiency for the Individuals. Gamers beneath no stress hit passes straight out of bounds. For the evening, the U.S. accomplished simply 62.3% of its passes, a surprising quantity for a group used to proudly owning the ball. Too usually, the marking in midfield was nonexistent, and on these events when the U.S. did get the ball in entrance of aim, the ending was terrible.
ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle on how the USWNT regarded in its disappointing draw with Portugal.
Sights and sounds
France come again robust after early shock
For 20 minutes, France had been out of the World Cup. Marta Cox’s marvel aim for Panama after 67 seconds, the quickest aim a France group has ever conceded in a significant match, had the Les Bleues looking at third place within the group behind Jamaica and Brazil, who had been drawing 0-0 on the time.
However the scare did not final lengthy. Targets from Maelle Lakrar, Lea Le Garrec and two from Kadidiatou Diani put France forward 4-1 on the break. The distinction in high quality between the 2 groups, even with a much-changed France facet (they rested Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer, whereas Grace Geyoro and Selma Bacha got here off at half-time and Diani after an hour) was approach too massive. Panama can cherish their captain’s distinctive free kick endlessly, however they cannot compete with opposition of this calibre proper now.
In the long run, France scored twice within the second half (together with a 3rd for Diani) and held off a brief Panama comeback to win 6-3. They secured the highest spot in Group F and can face both Colombia, Germany or Morocco within the spherical of 16. Coach Herve Renard shall be delighted with the efficiency, and particularly the hat trick for Diani that offers her confidence and momentum.
Les Bleues have accomplished the primary a part of their mission. Now, a distinct match begins. — Julien Laurens
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How South Africa made historical past vs. Italy on the World Cup
Sam Marsden recaps South Africa’s first ever win at a Girls’s World Cup after their 3-2 victory towards Italy despatched them into the final 16.
South Africa stun Italy
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — South Africa triumphed in one of many video games of the match as far as they topped Italy 3-2 to file their first World Cup win and e book their place within the knockout rounds for the primary time, knocking the Azzure out within the course of.
The match, performed in whirling wind and with a hailstorm disrupting the primary half, had a bit little bit of every thing, from penalties and personal targets to comebacks and a bloody nostril. In the long run, although, the Banyana Banyana prevailed, a lot to the delight of their noisy travelling assist.
A draw would have taken Italy by with group winners Sweden, and so they regarded on observe to progress when Arianna Caruso gave them an Eleventh-minute lead from the penalty spot. South Africa probed however did not have a high quality scoring alternative till Benedetta Orsi’s 25-yard backpass ended up behind her personal web after a communication mix-up together with her goalkeeper. That arrange a wild second half, and South Africa edged in entrance by a well-taken Hilda Magaia effort, solely to see Italy degree 5 minutes later when Caruso transformed her second of the evening from a nook.
South Africa pressed for the winner, however some heroic defending from Elena Linari, which earned her a bloody nostril, plus a bit little bit of luck, appeared to maintain this one tied. However there was to be one ultimate twist in stoppage time, when captain Thembi Kgatlana turned residence Magaia’s cross within the 93rd minute, setting off wild celebrations. A gathering with the Netherlands in Sydney within the spherical of 16 awaits. — Sam Marsden
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Lawson: Enormous questions for Italy after early World Cup exit
Sophie Lawson reacts to Italy’s World Cup exit after they had been surprised by a late South Africa winner in Wellington.
Personal aim sums up Italy’s lack of cohesion
After one win, one drubbing, and one stoppage-time loss, Italy are out of the World Cup; a transparent step down from 4 years in the past, after they reached the quarterfinals. Whereas that group was enjoyable, thrilling, recent and relaxed, this facet has regarded muddled and misplaced. Gone is the sense of freedom the group had in France, changed by panic and confusion.
Italy have misplaced their identification. The defence is as fragmented because the assault and the group’s good play is often borne out of particular person moments of magic somewhat than a cogent group effort. Even with a lot of the gamers coming from the highest two groups in Serie A, there’s a clear lack of cohesion.
Emblematic of this was Orsi’s weird 25-yard personal aim that drew South Africa degree as she didn’t look behind her earlier than passing again to goalkeeper Francesca Durante, who was out of place.
Kgatlana’s stoppage-time winner might not have been essentially the most predictable final result, however the writing has been on the wall for a while. With a gentle stream of younger and thrilling gamers coming by the ranks, they’re in a vital second and wish new concepts if they’re to maneuver ahead and contend. — Sophie Lawson
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Carlisle: USWNT should up recreation significantly to beat Sweden
Jeff Carlisle reacts to Sweden’s 2-0 win vs. Argentina which units up a last-16 conflict with USWNT.
Sweden arrange USWNT conflict with win
Sweden maintained its excellent file at this World Cup, defeating Argentina 2-0 and claiming the highest spot in Group G. Sweden joined Japan and England among the many groups to win all three of their matches within the group stage. Together with his facet in agency management of the group, supervisor Peter Gerhardsson opted to closely rotate his squad, with solely defender Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson retaining their locations.
Sweden nonetheless had nearly all of possession, however was made to work for his or her victory, with Rebecka Blomqvist’s 66th-minute header from Sofia Jakobson’s cross lastly breaking the impasse. Blomqvist was concerned in Sweden’s second aim as nicely, profitable a penalty that was transformed within the ninetieth minute by Elin Rubensson. Now Sweden faces the No. 1-ranked U.S. within the spherical of 16, a matchup neither facet prefers at this stage of the match, however one that’s occurring after the Individuals’ lackluster performances noticed it end second in Group E.
It is an encounter that will not maintain any worry for Sweden, who defeated the USWNT in every of the previous two Olympics, together with a 3-0 walloping within the group stage in Tokyo. With a rested facet and the group in prime type, Sweden need to be thought of favorites to prevail in that match. — Jeff Carlisle
China get high quality send-off from followers
ADELAIDE, Australia — At simply earlier than 1 a.m. native time on Wednesday, a cheer went up, adopted by some excited screams throughout Hindmarsh Sq. within the coronary heart of Adelaide. China’s group had simply returned to their lodge, recent off their 6-1 defeat to England that noticed them exit the group stage, however had been greeted by a big group of followers, all decked out in purple.
After the match, China supervisor Shui Qingxia hugged every member of the squad. Speaking to the media an hour or so later, she recognised the hole between China and the opposite groups chasing a World Cup. “Hugging them meant I recognised that they tried their finest. I nonetheless must recognise their efforts regardless of the defeat,” Shui stated. “As for the issues that this technology can do, from the present scenario, we are able to see there’s an enormous hole between us and the European groups. We’re not going to do nothing — we’ll work on transition, stability and physicality, consider our shortcomings and work on them, so this technology’s efforts will assist the generations that observe.”
At the same time as England clocked up the targets, China’s assist by no means quieted. There was the fixed beat of a drum beneath the stands we had been in, the chants nearly steady all through and a deafening noise to welcome their penalty that, on the time, diminished the deficit to 3-1. Regardless that they did not make it by, because the group returned again to their base, there have been smiling followers, flags painted on their faces, ready to catch a glimpse of their heroes for one final time. — Tom Hamilton
Norway hit by hail
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Typically there’s nothing you are able to do in regards to the parts. The Norway gamers had been pressured off their coaching subject in Auckland after being hit by a sudden hailstorm and did not appear to be they had been singing within the rain.
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Norway halt coaching after large hailstorm hits
Norway gamers had been pressured off their coaching subject in Auckland after being hit by a hailstorm.
Match previews for Thursday
Odds through Caesars Sportsbook.
Group H: Morocco vs. Colombia (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth; 6 p.m. native, 3 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. BST)
Odds: South Morocco +600, Draw +270, Colombia -200
There may be one, and just one, possibility for Morocco towards Colombia: win. Dealing with the group on the prime of the group, Morocco should be at their defensive finest to maintain Colombia’s elegant ahead line of Linda Caicedo, Mayra Ramírez and Catalina Usme quiet — as Germany didn’t do. However greater than that, the Atlas Lionesses should rating, with a slender win not sufficient ought to Germany finest South Korea in Brisbane.
Ought to Las Cafeteras deliver the identical assist to Perth that made the foundations of the SFS stadium shake final week, the match might already be a foregone conclusion. A win would see Colombia end atop the group with a 3-0-0 file, however a draw is sufficient for assured development to the knockouts. — Sophie Lawson
Group H: South Korea vs. Germany (Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane; 8 p.m. native, 3 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. BST)
Odds: South Korea +1,200, Draw +490, Germany -490
Germany have their sights set on the knockout spherical as they face South Korea of their ultimate group recreation in Brisbane. Germany beat Morocco and fell 2-1 to Colombia however are nonetheless favourites to progress alongside Colombia as they face a South Korea facet who’ve misplaced each of their video games and have but to attain.
Germany supervisor Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has defender Marina Hegering match once more, whereas she has not dominated out making adjustments from the facet that misplaced within the final match in Sydney. Voss-Tecklenburg says the group’s morale has not slumped this week regardless of their setback. “I did not have to take care of happiness,” she stated. “We wish to win it, progress to the spherical of 16, and I’ve advised them we’ll win collectively and lose collectively. I did not must be the clown for them to cheer them up.”
South Korea must win by a five-goal margin to progress and hope for the perfect from Colombia’s match towards Morocco. It has been a disappointing marketing campaign and the phrase “miracle” was used a good bit within the prematch information convention, however supervisor Collin Bell wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons between this match and the boys’s group’s recreation towards Germany within the 2018 World Cup, the place South Korea received 2-0 in a recreation now dubbed the “Miracle of Kazan.” “Miracle is a giant phrase, I desire to not use it. We’d like a superb efficiency. I by no means surrender. I consider we are able to do one thing sensational,” he stated. — Tom Hamilton
Options of the day
World Cup final 16: Why each group left will, will not win all of it
Because the Girls’s World Cup subject is minimize from 32 to 16, we evaluate every remaining group’s greatest strengths and weaknesses, and which one has the perfect shot.
James a World Cup star as England energy into knockout section
Lauren James’ involvement in 5 of England’s six targets towards China confirmed her standing as one of many breakout stars of the Girls’s World Cup.
Jamaica’s wrestle for equality and respect at World Cup
The Jamaican ladies’s group has been disbanded, ignored, unpaid and disrespected for years. Now the World Cup has given them a platform for change.
And, lastly …
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Visiting the large Sam Kerr mural in Western Australia
Sophie Lawson takes a visit to an enormous mural of Sam Kerr in her hometown of East Fremantle in Western Australia.
FREMANTLE, Australia — This was alleged to be Sam Kerr’s match, the prospect for one in all Australia’s stars to shine on the world stage and convey glory to her homeland.
An damage has robbed the 29-year-old Matildas captain of an opportunity to make a lot of an impression up to now, however within the suburb that Kerr calls residence, you could find one piece of her rising legacy.
On the furthest reaches of Western Australia, looking throughout the expanse of the Indian Ocean, sits Fremantle (or “Fremo” to locals). Hop in a automobile from Perth and drive south down Kwinana Freeway earlier than turning off onto Canning Freeway, heading towards the place the land meets the ocean, and you will drive by East Fremantle. It is a journey that takes about half an hour in little site visitors. Navigate your option to Norfolk Avenue — previous Fremantle Oval, residence of the Bulldogs — and you will see it. But when you do not know it is there, you possibly can simply miss it.
Head for the slender alley on the appropriate of SCOOP HQ (an Australian property agent) and you will be greeted with a larger-than-life mural of Kerr, decked out within the shining gold of Australia’s residence equipment, eyes solid down on the ball she’s controlling together with her proper boot. The tag on the backside names the artist as Fieldey, who when interviewed in 2021 stated: “A lot of road artwork is fairly ladies, or fairly ladies crying. I wished to create one thing that was a little bit of an antidote to that.”
From the crumple of her shirt because the striker glides ahead to the bulging proper calf peeking out above her inexperienced socks, Kerr’s power comes throughout as she towers above those that cease by, entranced by her tangible guile.
As I leap into my Uber again to the centre of Perth, a younger lady stops in entrance of the mural, prompting the household she’s with to show and see why she’s been lagging behind. As we drive off, she’s nonetheless there standing within the rain, gazing up on the participant who might but be so decisive this month; the two-dimensional facsimile free from the burden of expectation that rests upon Kerr’s shoulders. — Sophie Lawson
