Group F: Diani's hat-trick steers France into knockout stage

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Group F: Diani's hat-trick steers France into knockout stage

Sydney: Kadidiatou Diani hit a hat-trick as France marched into the last 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 in a 6-3 thriller against Panama at a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday.

It was a polished recovery after Marta Cox's wonder strike on 67 seconds left the French reeling, swerving a free-kick into the corner from 30 yards for her country's first-ever World Cup goal.
But their euphoria was short-lived as France ran riot, with Diani scoring twice – one a penalty – and Maelle Lakrar and Lea Le Garrec adding a goal apiece before the Paris Saint-Germain striker got her third from the spot after the restart.
But Panama refused to give up. Yomira Pinzon added their second with a crisply-struck penalty and Lineth Cedeno scored again in an exciting finale, before Vicki Becho finished well to seal the game for France in injury time.
The win ensured France finished top of Group F to set up a knockout round clash with the second-placed team in Group H, while Jamaica held Brazil 0-0 in the other group game to finish second and face a showdown with the Group H winners.

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Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Germany

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Preview - Group H: Korea Republic v Germany

Brisbane: Colin Bell is hoping Korea Republic can cause an upset when they face Germany in their final Group H fixture of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at the Brisbane Rectangular Stadium on Thursday.

Having failed to pick up a point across two matchdays, Korea Republic face a tough task to reach the Round of 16 as they need to beat Germany by a five-goal margin and hope Morocco lose to Colombia.

Despite also not having scored a goal in the tournament, Bell’s side are determined to claim a positive result, having lost their last six games at the FIFA Women's World Cup since beating Spain 2-1 in the 2015 edition.

Group F: Jamaica end Brazil's hopes

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Group F: Jamaica end Brazil's hopes

Melbourne: Jamaica ensured there would be no fairytale ending to Marta's FIFA Women's World Cup career as they strangled Brazil 0-0 to reach the last 16 on Wednesday and condemn the South Americans to their earliest exit since 1995.

It was heartbreak for the legendary Brazilian attacker Marta, who at age 37 has said this would be her last World Cup.
 
But it was joy for a Jamaica team who are yet to concede at the tournament and are into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
 
Lorne Donaldson's unbeaten side will most likely meet Colombia next.

Group G: South Africa stun Italy to advance

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Group G: South Africa stun Italy to advance

Wellington: South Africa won a FIFA Women's World Cup match for the first time with a stunning 3-2 victory over Italy to reach the last 16 in a thriller on Wednesday.

Captain Thembi Kgatlana scored the winner in the 92nd minute to make history for South Africa and set up a meeting with the Netherlands - and send Italy home.
 
Arianna Caruso scored twice for Italy and thought she had salvaged the draw they needed to go through with 16 minutes left, before Kgatlana's stunning late intervention.
 
The Italians were in tears at the end as their opponents celebrated a famous win.

Group G: Sweden win to set up USA showdown

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Group G: Sweden win to set up USA showdown

Hamilton: Sweden set up a FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 last-16 showdown with the United States after a Rebecka Blomqvist header and an Elin Rubensson penalty gave them a 2-0 win over Argentina on Wednesday.

Blomqvist headed home in the 66th minute on a cold and wet night in Hamilton and substitute Rubensson added a last-minute spot kick as Sweden made it three wins out of three to finish top of Group G.
 
The result also confirmed Argentina's elimination, as South Africa's 3-2 win over Italy took the African champions through in second place and handed them a last-16 tie against the Netherlands.
 
Sweden, who had already beaten the South Africans 2-1 with a last-minute winner and then hammered Italy 5-0, will play holders the USA in Melbourne on Sunday.

Pressure on Australia in last-16 clash: Denmark coach

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Pressure on Australia in last-16 clash: Denmark coach

Perth: Lars Sondergaard said the pressure is on co-hosts Australia in front of a packed house after his Denmark side reached the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

The Danes set up a date with Australia in the last 16 after a 2-0 win over debutants Haiti to take second place in Group D behind England.

Shui: China PR will learn and bounce back stronger

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Shui: China PR will learn and bounce back stronger

Adelaide: China PR coach Shui Qingxia vowed to quickly learn the lessons from the disappointment of her team’s exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 after the Steel Roses suffered a 6-1 loss against European champions England at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday.

Lauren James scored twice for Sarina Wiegman’s side while Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly were also on the scoresheet as the Chinese struggled to match the technical and physically commanding Lionesses, who advance to the last 16 as Group D winners.
 
Shui’s side, meanwhile, exit the competition having finished in third place in the group behind runners-up Denmark, meaning China PR have been knocked out at the opening phase for the first time in eight appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals.

Experience will boost Vietnam's development, says Mai

Wed, 02 Aug, 2023

Experience will boost Vietnam's development, says Mai

Dunedin: Vietnam's FIFA Women's World Cup debut may have ended on a low note but head coach Mai Duc Chung believes the future is bright for the game in the Southeast Asian nation.

Vietnam found the Netherlands too strong in their final Group E match at the Dunedin Stadium on Tuesday, with the 2019 runners-up cruising to a 7-0 win.