Women’s World Cup Daily: Germany crash out, Morocco through

The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these day by day information provide the newest reporting from across the match in addition to betting traces, what-to-watch-for data and greatest reads. Check in with ESPN all through the match as we convey you the newest from Australia and New Zealand.

The lead: Germany crash out as one other large group falls

BRISBANE, Australia — Germany’s Women’s World Cup marketing campaign got here to an finish within the group stage for the primary time of their historical past as they had been held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea, whereas Morocco’s 1-0 win over Colombia consigned the two-time champions to a shock early exit.

Germany began this World Cup with a flurry of objectives of their 6-0 demolition of Morocco, however then fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Colombia. As they battled a number of accidents on the again, they nonetheless had an amazing likelihood of creating the knockouts however wanted to beat South Korea — who had misplaced each matches with out scoring a objective — to ensure.

But regardless of dominating attacking territory, Germany’s assault fell flat leaving them leaving the match far sooner than anticipated.

– Women’s World Cup: Landing web page | Schedule | Rosters | News
– How groups can qualify for the spherical of 16

South Korea began brilliantly, with 16-year-old striker Casey Phair having an opportunity early on as her close-range shot was properly saved as Merle Frohms who turned it onto the put up. But Collin Bell’s aspect did not have to attend lengthy to take a deserved lead as Lee Young-Ju’s through ball discovered Cho So-Hyun unmarked and he or she completed properly to offer South Korea a shock lead.

Germany began to search out extra rhythm and tempo, dominating territory, however needed to wait till the forty first minute to style their first respectable alternative with Alexandra Popp heading house a Svenja Huth cross.

Germany continued to pile on the strain within the second half and had a objective disallowed within the 56th minute with Popp offside. She continued to be Germany’s essential attacking outlet and planted a header on South Korea’s bar simply three minutes later however, strive as they may, they could not break down the opponent’s resolute defence.

As the minutes ticked down, the match turned extra fractured, with the physicality leaving gamers sprawled on the deck. Germany had a few final determined efforts, with Sydney Lohmann firing extensive after which blasting one other over. — Tom Hamilton

News of the day

• South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana revealed she has misplaced three relations whereas on the World Cup after serving to her nation beat Italy 3-2 to achieve the knockout rounds for the primary time. Kgatlana, who scored the sport winner to ship the Banyana Banyana into the spherical of 16, revealed that: “Over the last three weeks, I have lost three family members, I could have gone home, but I chose to stay with my girls because that’s how much it means.” South Africa will subsequent tackle the Netherlands.

• Pia Sundhage has a contract as Brazil coach through subsequent yr however her function on the 2024 Olympics in Paris is not assured, in line with ESPN Brasil sources. The group bowed after the group stage on the World Cup after ending third behind France and Jamaica — the primary time since 1995 that Brazil did not attain the knockout levels. The early exit additionally noticed Marta’s legendary Brazil profession finish by taking part in in her sixth World Cup however not scoring a objective.

• After teaching the Philippines on the World Cup — and beating co-hosts New Zealand within the course of — former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic has set his sights on turning Perth Glory again right into a powerhouse after being appointed coach of the embattled A-League Men aspect on a three-year deal. Stajcic stated aiming for finals in his first season in cost was a “non-negotiable” and added: “If you’re playing in the A-League, if you’re playing in any elite competition and you’re not aiming for finals, you probably shouldn’t be there.”

Today in USWNT camp

This No. 1-ranked USWNT hardly resembles the reigning Women’s World Cup champions, and whereas some pundits and former gamers have raised questions in regards to the gamers’ mentality, others have all referred to as out a failure of ways and construction, that are the purview of coach Vlatko Andonovski.

It’s a chicken-or-egg query: Is the USWNT not executing ways properly as a result of the gamers lack the best mentality? Or are the gamers not exhibiting the best mentality as a result of the ways are holding them again?

After a listless 0-0 draw with No. 21-ranked Portugal to shut out the group stage, it turns into all of the extra crucial to determine the reply. Up subsequent, the USWNT faces Sweden within the spherical of 16 in a win-or-go-home situation that necessitates taking part in higher than the Americans have up up to now.

ESPN’s Caitlin Murray seems to be on the essential reason for the USWNT’s troubles at this World Cup.

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Williams: The USWNT will likely be a scary thought when group clicks

Lynn Williams says the USWNT is embracing the strain it faces on the World Cup.

Sights and sounds

Morocco beat Colombia to hitch them in subsequent spherical

PERTH, Australia — The risk was there from the get-go for Morocco as Ibtissam Jraïdi pressured a powerful save from Catalina Pérez inside the primary 60 seconds, the Atlas Lionesses possessing a transparent risk once they may work the ball into Colombia’s field.

Even with the fiercely vocal Colombian assist making Perth’s Rectangular Stadium really feel prefer it had been displaced from the center of Bogota, it was Morocco who regarded much more at house within the stadium swathed in yellow.

A slipshod and useless shove on Jraïdi in first-half stoppage time introduced in regards to the break-through, there may very well be no query that it was a penalty for the North African nation. Pérez once more got here up trumps to maintain the ball out, diving to her left to parry Ghizlane Chebbak’s effort, however she was unable to place the ball out of hurt’s method and Anissa Lahmari poked it house within the ensuing melee.

After their dream consequence (and objectives) towards Germany, the highlight was on Colombia to impress as soon as once more, and because the second half wore on Khadija Er-Rmichi was referred to as into motion to disclaim Daniela Montoya and Mayra Ramírez with response saves earlier than getting her fingertips on a ferocious Linda Caicedo effort.

As Colombia grew, the breaks in play started to multiply inflicting the sport to fracture, impacting the entire outlook of the group, from Perth all the best way to Brisbane.

The whistle could not sound quickly sufficient for the Atlas Lionesses, who streamed on to the pitch to have a good time. But then got here the nervous couple of minutes because the clock in Brisbane counted down as they awaited affirmation that Germany had bowed out.

The two sides in Western Australia had been the 2 nonetheless standing and through to the subsequent spherical, Colombia’s loss on the evening not sufficient to take them from the highest spot. — Sophie Lawson

Spanish siege mentality

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Spain ahead Jenni Hermoso has reacted to criticism of the group’s 4-0 defeat to Japan on Monday by saying there are individuals who need to see La Roja fail. Despite the loss, Spain progressed to the spherical 16 after successful their first two video games and can meet Switzerland in Auckland on Saturday.

“I think there are people waiting for Spain to slip up, I do think that,” she advised reporters in Wellington. “If you look at social media … To be honest, I don’t look, but we know people are waiting for us to fail.

“For all we have now tried to combat to be right here and to go so far as attainable, there are folks which can be comfortable once we do not get good outcomes. If they do not need to keep on the Spain boat, then they need to get off. What is sweet for us is assist from everybody following Spain.”

Defender Irene Paredes added that the criticism did not “annoy” her and was “a part of the job,” saying: “It is regular that it occurs and that extra is demanded from us as a result of we’re able to giving extra.” — Sam Marsden

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‘Determined’ Jamaica reach WC knockout stage for first time ever

Joey Lynch recaps a “momentous” goalless draw between Jamaica and Brazil that sends the Caribbean nation to its first-ever World Cup knockout match.

Possession schmossession

MELBOURNE — Not only will Jamaica make history in the World Cup’s round of 16, they will, remarkably, head there as one of only three teams (along with Switzerland and Japan) to have not conceded a single goal thus far. Not bad considering they were drawn in a group with France and Brazil.

Coming in with a plan centred on a rock-solid defence anchored by goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer, The Reggae Girlz have been able to grind out 0-0 draws with these high-powered opponents despite controlling 24% of possession against France and just 20% against Brazil.

“We do not are available with a defensive thoughts, we need to rating objectives, however you bought to do what you bought to do if you wish to proceed, and it’ll be onerous work,” Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson said. “We’re not going to put down and say win the sport. We do not imagine in that. If you need to beat us, then you have to beat us. The smaller nation groups they’re gonna combat for all the pieces. So the pattern goes to proceed till folks can show it fallacious.”

Indeed as the gap between football’s old guard and rising challengers has begun to shrink, the former can no longer rely on a resource-driven chasm in technical ability and physicality to see off their longshot rivals. Per FIFA’s official statistics, South Africa only controlled possession for 29% of the game against Italy in their 3-2 win that sent them to the round of 16, the same percentage that Colombia retained in their momentous 2-1 win over Germany.

“Everybody’s organized now and the bodily half is fairly good as properly,” Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said after her side’s draw with Jamaica. “Not solely that, if you happen to play the ball [and you’re] dispossessed, then you might have this counter-attack scenario.

“In four years, the best team will not give away the ball away. If you look at completed passes, I think that percentage will rise in the future [while] still keeping the speed of play — the best will be capable of doing that.” — Joey Lynch

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Visiting the enormous 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.

Man! I Feel Like a Matilda!

BRISBANE, Australia — In case you had been questioning how the vibes are in Matildas camp following their magnificent 4-0 victory over Canada in Melbourne, the reply is: immaculate.

Taking to the observe for his or her first session since reaching the spherical of 16, the group strolled out to start stretching and warming up. Out of nowhere the immediately recognizable and iconic opening of Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” blared out through the audio system. Let’s go women, certainly.

Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Charli Grant had been bopping alongside whereas Mackenzie Arnold was dancing as properly. The goalkeeper was stuffed with reward for the music choice.

“That was actually Georgia, our strength and conditioning assistant,” Arnold advised media.” She was actually under a little bit of pressure with that. We just told her to put on some tunes and that was what she came out with. So thankfully, it was a banger. Otherwise, it could have been a bit embarrassing for her.”

When requested in regards to the group’s playlist, Arnold was fast to say captain Sam Kerr’s function within the music choice. “We’re actually into a bit of singalongs,” she stated. “So like none of the ‘doof-doof’ s—. We’re not really into that. Little bit of a beat behind it. Sam’s actually quite good at that. She finds the bangers and puts them on.”

And whereas Twain’s international 1997 hit bought the group going, it is an iconic Aussie music which has change into the group’s anthem. “‘Strawberry Kisses’ by Nikki Webster has been a team favorite,” Arnold admitted.

Webster herself isn’t any stranger to Stadium Australia, singing throughout the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympics. As for the way the group landed on Webster’s hit?

“It’s actually Steph Catley’s favourite song and now we’ve all jumped on the wagon.” — Marissa Lordanic

Features of the day

The USWNT’s path to the Women’s World Cup closing
Which groups should the USWNT beat with a purpose to carry the Women’s World Cup for a 3rd successive time? ESPN lays out the trail forward.

Marta’s World Cup finale overshadowed by Brazil’s poor play
While Marta’s sixth World Cup may have been one too many, there will likely be questions on whether or not Pia Sundhage is the best coach to guide Brazil.

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How Marta’s World Cup goals turned to catastrophe vs. Jamaica

Sophie Lawson reacts to Brazil being eradicated from the Women’s World Cup after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica.

And, lastly …

MELBOURNE — Are you the suspicious kind? If so, are you the suspicious kind and a dwelling legend of soccer coming in the direction of the top of your profession? If you might be, you would possibly need to keep away from the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (MRS) for a short while.

Across one 48-hour interval this week, the Melbourne venue has seen each Christine Sinclair and Marta’s illustrious World Cup careers finish upon its floor: two icons of the sport, whose careers span many years and go away legacies inconceivable to correctly quantify.

Given that they function the pure conclusion to the top of a footballing chapter — in addition to the beginning of one other — World Cups usually present some degree of synchronicity and coincidence.

But few would have anticipated the considerably bittersweet declare to worldwide notoriety that the venue would safe heading into the match; Sinclair’s Canada changing into the first-ever reigning Olympic champions to be bundled out within the group levels of the next World Cup once they misplaced 4-0 to Australia, and Marta’s Brazil crashing out on the first hurdle for the primary time since 1995 once they floor out a 0-0 stalemate with Jamaica.

Both greats had been aiming to change into the primary participant — male or feminine — to attain at six totally different World Cups. But the rectangle of disappointment had different concepts.

And whereas MRS’ contribution to the World Cup ends after the spherical of 16, it is not executed but claiming legacies. For on Sunday, both the World Cup profession of USWNT talisman Megan Rapinoe or Swedish stalwart Caroline Seger will finish when their sides meet. — Joey Lynch