The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in complete swing, and those day-to-day recordsdata offers you the actual reporting from across the competition in addition to making a bet traces, what-to-watch-for knowledge and highest reads. Test in with ESPN right through the competition as we carry you the actual from Australia and Unused Zealand.
The top: Walsh shock sours England win over Denmark
SYDNEY, Australia — England have one bedrock within the knockout phases of the Women’s World Cup nearest a 1-0 win over Denmark, however the victory used to be tainted nearest midfielder Keira Walsh used to be stretchered off with what gave the look of a knee shock within the first part.
Walsh is thought of as probably the most excellent gamers in global soccer and is irreplaceable. If the shock is severe, it’s going to come as a plethora misspen for England’s hopes of profitable the Global Cup. Up till that shock within the thirty fifth tiny, the narrative regarded find it irresistible used to be going centre on Lauren James, who scored a phenomenal target simply six mins into the fit. It used to be England’s first target in perceptible play games for 343 mins and used to be a right away go back at the adjustments Sarina Wiegman constituted of the group that defeated Haiti 1-0.
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Wiegman (who stored the similar establishing XI right through the a success 2022 Ecu Championship marketing campaign) made two alterations, with James establishing at the left wing, Rachel Daly at left-back, and Alex Greenwood along Millie Bright within the centre. It gave England extra attacking intent, however Walsh’s shock modified the momentum of the fit.
Denmark had probabilities as they picked holes in England’s defence and had plenty alternatives to get one thing out of the sport, not more so than Amalie Vangsgaard‘s overdue anticipation which she headed directly to the submit from alike territory.
For England — once more — it’s a case of process executed, nevertheless it used to be a far-from-convincing win and Walsh’s shock is a big setback. — Tom Hamilton
Information of the moment
SYDNEY, Australia — England midfielder Keira Walsh used to be stretchered off within the thirty fifth tiny in their Girls’s World Cup group-stage fit towards Denmark on Friday with a leg shock. The inside track will come as a plethora misspen if the shock is severe as Walsh is thought of as probably the most global’s highest central midfielders and is integral to England.
Walsh, 26, looked as if it would injure her proper leg as she stretched for a wayward cross. She straight away collapsed to the farmland, signalled to the referee for aid, bringing the sport to a halt. Tv cameras confirmed Walsh telling physios she had harm her knee, and nearest receiving on-field remedy, the England superstar used to be stretchered off and changed via Laura Coombs. — Tom Hamilton
South Africa educator Desiree Ellis used to be no longer satisfied her facet let a two-goal top slip towards Argentina in a 2-2 draw.
“It is about taking our chances,” she stated. “That’s the problem, we don’t take them, it comes back at us every time. If we had taken our chances we would have had a different conversation. It is fantastic we got our first point but three would have been better, it’s like you hand me a chocolate and then take it away, and I love chocolate.”
In the meantime, it used to be Yamila Rodriguez who supplied the a very powerful go for Romina Núñez’s target that stored the South American facet’s knockout level hopes alive. Rodriguez has endured social media abuse from Argentina fans in fresh days as a result of a Cristiano Ronaldo tattoo on her leg, which used to be appeared to be anti-Lionel Messi.
WELLINGTON, Unused Zealand — Spain have made up our minds to reduce their coaching bottom in Palmerston North quite early nearest boredom i’m ready in some of the gamers and their households, assets informed ESPN. Los angeles Roja will head to Wellington on Saturday, two days prior to they face Japan in a fit that can come to a decision who wins Workforce C.
Staying in Palmerston, a town two hours north of Wellington and a shorten aviation from Auckland, the 2 places the place Spain are assured to play games till the semifinal level, used to be viewable as a excellent choice in some ways. Alternatively, the dearth of items to do within the department has taken its toll. Households, together with some gamers’ youngsters, are staying with the squad as a part of a pre-tournament promise with the Spanish Soccer Federation however, along side the gamers, have discovered there may be tiny to do, particularly within the evenings.
It used to be no longer Spain’s first selection bottom, however they neglected out on their most well-liked choices, considered one of which being the amenities impaired via Sweden in Higher Hutt. Jorge Vilda’s facet have made a excellent begin to the competition nonetheless, beating Costa Rica and Zambia to keep their playground within the terminating 16 — Sam Marsden
These days in USWNT camp
1:07
Did Trainer Andonovski put together the proper strikes vs. the Netherlands?
Ali Krieger stocks her ideas on Vlatko Andonovski’s lineup towards the Netherlands within the Global Cup.
The USWNT’s 1-1 draw with Netherlands used to be the primary date since 2007 that it most effective impaired one or fewer substitutes in a Global Cup recreation, in line with Stats Carry out. The USWNT hasn’t ever no longer impaired a replace right through the Global Cup, however the group impaired only one replace six earlier instances, with 3 of the ones cases coming within the first Girls’s Global Cup in 1991.
Making it much more head-scratching that Andonovski declined to importance subs: in earlier cycles, 3 substitutes used to be the utmost quantity a educator may just importance. On this Global Cup, Andonovski may just put together as much as 5.
Caitlin Murray experiences on USWNT educator Vlatko Andonovski’s resolution no longer to deliver on unused gamers within the 1-1 draw with Netherlands.
Points of interest and sounds
Function of the competition? Braun is helping Argentina draw vs. South Africa
With their Global Cup marketing campaign beneath existential blackmail, two objectives in 5 mins noticed Argentina typhoon again to erase a two-goal shortage and drive a 2-2 draw with South Africa on Friday.
Positioned in a hollow due to efforts from Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana, in addition to their very own haphazard defensive efforts, a goal-of-the-tournament contender from Sophia Braun served to present Los angeles Albiceleste a pulse within the 74th tiny in Dunedin, prior to Romina Nuñez despatched in a glancing header within the 79th to revive parity.
🤯 ¡¡¡GOLAAAAAZOOOO ESPECTACULAR!!!
⚽️ Sophia Braun sorprendió con un GOLAZO estilo @MR11ok y se acercan las argentinas en el marcador.#ARG 1-2 #RSA
📺 @NBCUniverso y @peacock ➡️ https://t.co/kWnYCuRFwZ#MundialTelemundo #LaCopaEsNuestra #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/xQ8ZK5HEpn
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 28, 2023
For Argentina educator German Portanova, it used to be a unexpected break out of moment that will have left him questioning the place all this urgency and force have been hour they had been falling right into a two-goal shortage. For South Africa educator Desiree Ellis, regardless that, it represented a lamentable incapacity to close the gate on an opponent that, for immense swathes of what she had referred to as a must-win recreation, have been disjointed and lackadaisical in defence — a blunder that had value her facet a first-ever Global Cup win nearest first of all showing like they had been cruising.
Certain and functional at the counter, Banyana Banyana had taken the top within the first part when the Argentine defence slowed to a move slowly anticipating the offside flag, just for overview to resolve that Kgatlana had, in truth, been performed onside via Miriam Mayorga prior to she squared the ball for Motlhalo to complete. When Jermaine Seoposenwe swiped the ball from Aldana Cometti and performed a low ball for Kgatlana to force house within the 66th, it gave the impression that the African champions had been house — just for Argentina to complete sturdy towards some suspect South African recreation control. — Joey Lynch
1:06
Matildas can’t live, realize it’s must-win vs. Canada
Next dominating chunks in their loss to Nigeria, Emily van Egmond and Katrina Gorry say wish to proceed directly to their decisive showdown with Canada.
Canada prohibit media forward of a very powerful Australia take a look at
MELBOURNE/NAARM — Realistically, Australia and Canada’s fit at Melbourne Oblong Stadium on Monday night time looms as a a very powerful, win-and-you’re-in come upon. Barring a Nigerian shatter towards Eire, both the reigning Olympic champions might be going house when the overall whistle blows, or a bunch crowd may have cataclysmically exited within the organization level.
The drive is crushing. Possibly in reaction, Canada will prohibit media get right of entry to to each their pregame information convention and the tip in their coaching consultation — giving gamers an difference extra moment nearest making the lengthy aviation again from Perth.
Considered one of 3 groups based totally in Melbourne for the Global Cup, Canada had been coaching on the farmland of native Nationwide Premier League facet Heidelberg United, with periods virtually completely lined via travelling contributors of the Canadian press. The interactions between media and gamers in much less formal settings following periods had been most commonly light-weight, with tougher questions most commonly coming at mandated FIFA meetings.
With the Matildas based totally in Brisbane and the immense majority of Australia’s (minute) soccer press collect with them till they fly i’m sick on Sunday, in the meantime, the probabilities of coaching being swarmed via a horde of disruptive native journos with the desired accreditation to wait and figuring out plenty to invite tricky questions is infinitesimal.
Prior to now, the Canadian press have in the past raised problems with participant get right of entry to on the males’s Global Cup in Qatar. Males’s educator John Herdman informed OneSoccer in June that complaint of his gamers and personnel following a Concacaf International locations League ultimate defeat to the United States have been “disappointing and personal.” — Joey Lynch
Nigeria celebrations proceed lengthy
Nigeria produced a big trauma on the Girls’s Global Cup as they surprised Australia 3-2 on Thursday to reduce the co-hosts’ competition hopes on slim ice. And their enthusiasts indubitably loved it.
1:07
Nigeria enthusiasts in complete birthday party method nearest well-known win vs. Australia
Fanatics of Nigeria really feel their group can proceed all of the approach to the overall on the Global Cup nearest their 3-2 win vs. hosts Australia.
Wendie Renard to come to a decision if she performs for France
France’s captain and maximum skilled participant Wendie Renard remains to be no longer 100% positive to stand Brazil on Saturday within the plethora collision in Brisbane. Next hurting her calf towards Jamaica within the opening recreation, the defender residue unsure.
“We have our fingers crossed that she will be able to play tomorrow, Les Bleues‘ head coach Hervé Renard said on Friday in his news conference. “She should come to a decision prior to the sport if she performs or no longer. It’s no longer my resolution. She should inform me how she feels and if she will be able to get started. All of us want that she begins with out taking obese dangers. She is aware of her frame.”
The French are already without some key players (Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Amandine Henry, Griedge M’Bock, among them) for this World Cup and losing their captain would be catastrophic. Renard trained normally on Thursday and Friday, but is not 100%.
“Coaching is simply too other to enjoying obese suits,” the French coach added. “She could also be very noteceable for the best way she leads and is helping the group within the moments the place we need to undergo in a recreation. She will get everybody in combination. We want gamers like her.” — Julien Laurens.
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Match previews for July 29
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
Group G: Sweden vs. Italy (Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington; 7:30 p.m. local / 3:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. BST)
Odds: Sweden -130, Draw +230, Italy +390
SYDNEY — A coin-flip team at the best of times, you never quite know which Sweden team is going to turn up at a major tournament. Always rated highly for their ability to go deep in competitions whether playing attacking or defensive football, the third-ranked nation in the world flattered to deceive against South Africa in the driving rain in Wellington, falling behind to a Hildah Magaia strike early in the second half.
Nabbing a fortunate equaliser through Fridolina Rolfo, Sweden dug deep and found a late winner against a tiring underdog, raising the question of what happens next. Sometimes a poor performance is a one-off, a day when the choir can’t quite seem to sing in the right key, but the next time they convene, they once again hit the right notes.
In league play, we talk about teams that win ugly as being resolute, showing the stuff of champions to get over the line on an off day, but tournament football is far less forgiving and you’re only allowed so many near-misses. The performance and points almost dropped should act as a shot in the arm for Peter Gerhardsson and his players, who need to tap back into the scintillating football they displayed during the group stage of the 2021 Olympics.
However, there is a growing worry that they missed their window for success and are due to be relegated back to the role of bridesmaids (at best), as teams who can harness their potential push them aside. Friday’s clash in Wellington should tell us exactly where they stand. — Sophie Lawson
1:25
How can France improve for huge clash with Brazil?
Julien Laurens discusses France’s expectations for their game vs. Brazil after their poor performance vs. Jamaica.
Group F: France vs. Brazil (Lang Park, Brisbane; 8 p.m. local / 6 a.m. ET / 11 a.m. BST)
Odds: France +175, Draw +210, Brazil +155
BRISBANE, Australia — The men’s game has offered us some World Cup classics between France and Brazil through the years — the 1986 quarterfinal’s penalty shootout drama, the 1998 final for Les Bleus’ first title, and Zinedine Zidane’s masterclass in 2006.
Now it is the turn of the women’s teams to add another chapter to the rivalry. In 2019, the round-of-16 clash had a few twists with France’s win in extra time, but Saturday’s group stage could easily top that.
Brazil can qualify with a victory and pretty much secure top spot as well, while France could be on the verge of elimination with a defeat. The tension will be high in Brisbane. Hervé Renard is under pressure after his poor team selection and tactical choices and Les Bleues‘ lacklustre performance in a scoreless draw with Jamaica. The good news is star defender/captain Wendie Renard should be fit, but the bad news is she won’t be 100% recovered from her calf injury.
On the other hand, Brazil were great against Panama in a 4-0 win that noticed Ary Borges score a hat trick. They might not (and probably shouldn’t) be so attack-minded against the French but they can certainly make a statement with another top display and an important win. — Julien Laurens
Group F: Panama vs. Jamaica (Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth; 8:30 p.m. local/ 8:30 a.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. BST)
Odds: Panama +475, Draw +245, Jamaica -160
Given a trial by fire on their World Cup debut against an imperious Brazil team, Panama will be looking for a better showing against Jamaica, hoping to show a little more bite, we may see starts for Lineth Cedeño and Riley Tanner in what should be a more open game for Las Canaleras.
Jamaica will similarly looking to show more of their attacking poise after picking up a historic point against France, but without suspended star striker and captain, Bunny Shaw, the onus will be on her teammates to deliver the killer blow(s) and get the better of highly rated Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey. — Sophie Lawson
Options of the moment
U.S. shows fighting spirit vs. Netherlands but issues remain
The U.S. dug deep and weathered some physical play to get a point against Netherlands. However, they have some issues that must be addressed.
How Cornhole has created a frenzy at Swedens World Cup camp
Cornhole is a bit of fun, but it’s been an important component of Sweden’s camp and is helping keep the mood light, but competitive, at the World Cup.
Women’s World Cup goal music: Taylor Swift for USWNT but Gala is No. 1
Taylor Swift will soundtrack every goal scored by the United States at the Women’s World Cup, but she isn’t the most chosen artist at the tournament.
And finally …
Argentina’s World Cup hopes are hanging in the balance, despite coming from behind to draw 2-2 with South Africa on Friday, but their fans have once again stepped up to the plate. Just as they left their mark in Qatar as the men’s team won their third World Cup in 2022, they have provided the soundtrack to their opening games in Auckland and Dunedin.
The song “Muchachos,” which echoed around Doha, has been given a rebrand and become “Muchachas” by the Albiceleste fans in New Zealand, with the lyrics altered to fit the women’s team as they seek their first ever World Cup win.
Complete with a drummer, the chant could be heard throughout the game at Forsyth Barr Stadium as Argentina came from 2-0 down against South Africa to secure their first point of the tournament.
“I like it,” Oregon-born Sophia Braun, who scored Argentina’s first goal in the comeback, told reporters. “I’m so satisfied to be enjoying right here. Pay attention to the society, they’re superior. They’re motivating us. Thanks such a lot for your entire love and assistance. We’re so thankful and can play games dehydrated for you within the upcoming one, too.”
With a win needed in their final game against Sweden to reach the round of 16, Argentina will be relying on the magic of “Muchachas” to get them over the series. — Sam Marsden
