Women’s World Cup Daily: James stars in bittersweet England win

The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these each day recordsdata gives you the most recent reporting from across the match in addition to betting strains, what-to-watch-for data and greatest reads. Check in with ESPN all through the match as we carry you the most recent from Australia and New Zealand.

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The lead: Walsh damage sours England win over Denmark

SYDNEY — England have one foot in the knockout phases of the Women’s World Cup after a 1-0 win over Denmark, however the victory was tainted after midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off with what regarded like a knee damage in the primary half.

Walsh is considered one of many most interesting gamers in world soccer and is irreplaceable. If the damage is severe, it’s going to come as an enormous blow for England’s hopes of profitable the World Cup. Up till that damage in the thirty fifth minute, the narrative regarded prefer it was going to centre on Lauren James, who scored a beautiful purpose simply six minutes into the match. It was England’s first purpose in open play for 343 minutes and was a direct return on the adjustments Sarina Wiegman produced from the staff that defeated Haiti 1-0.

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– How groups can qualify for the spherical of 16

Wiegman (who saved the identical beginning XI all through the profitable 2022 European Championship marketing campaign) made two alterations, with James beginning on the left wing, Rachel Daly at left-back, and Alex Greenwood alongside Millie Bright in the centre. It gave England extra attacking intent, however Walsh’s damage modified the momentum.

Denmark had probabilities as they picked holes in England’s defence and had sufficient alternatives to get one thing out of the sport, no extra so than Amalie Vangsgaard’s late likelihood that she headed on to the publish from shut vary.

For England — once more — it is a case of job finished, however it was a far-from-convincing win and Walsh’s damage is a serious setback. — Tom Hamilton

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News of the day

• SYDNEY — England midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off in the thirty fifth minute of their Women’s World Cup group-stage match towards Denmark on Friday with a leg damage. The information will come as an enormous blow if the damage is severe as Walsh is considered one of many world’s greatest central midfielders and is integral to England.

  Walsh, 26, appeared to injure her proper leg as she stretched for a wayward cross. She instantly collapsed to the bottom, signalled to the referee for assist, bringing the sport to a halt. Television cameras confirmed Walsh telling physios she had damage her knee, and after receiving on-field therapy, the England star was stretchered off and changed by Laura Coombs. — Tom Hamilton

• South Africa coach Desiree Ellis was not completely happy her aspect let a two-goal lead 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.”

  Meanwhile, it was Yamila Rodriguez who offered the essential cross for Romina Núñez’s purpose that saved the South American aspect’s knockout stage hopes alive. Rodriguez has endured social media abuse from Argentina followers in current days due to a Cristiano Ronaldo tattoo on her leg, which was perceived to be anti-Lionel Messi.

• WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Spain have determined to depart their coaching base in Palmerston North barely early after boredom set in among the many gamers and their households, sources instructed ESPN. La Roja will head to Wellington on Saturday, two days earlier than they face Japan in a match that may resolve who wins Group C.

  Staying in Palmerston, a metropolis two hours north of Wellington and a brief flight from Auckland, the 2 places the place Spain are assured to play till the semifinal stage, was seen as choice in some ways. However, the shortage of issues to do in the realm has taken its toll. Families, together with some gamers’ youngsters, are staying with the squad as a part of a pre-tournament settlement with the Spanish Football Federation however, together with the gamers, have discovered there’s little to do, particularly in the evenings.

  It was not Spain’s first alternative base, however they missed out on their most well-liked choices, one in every of which being the amenities utilized by Sweden in Upper Hutt. Jorge Vilda’s aspect have made begin to the match nonetheless, beating Costa Rica and Zambia to e-book their place in the final 16 — Sam Marsden

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Today in USWNT camp

The USWNT’s 1-1 draw with Netherlands was the primary time since 2007 that it solely used one or fewer substitutes in a World Cup sport, per Stats Perform. The USWNT has by no means not used a substitute in the course of the World Cup, however the staff used only one substitute six earlier instances, with three of these situations coming in the primary Women’s World Cup in 1991.

Making it much more head-scratching that Andonovski declined to make use of subs: in earlier cycles, three substitutes was the utmost quantity a coach might use. In this World Cup, Andonovski might make as much as 5.

Caitlin Murray stories on USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski’s determination to not carry on contemporary gamers in the 1-1 draw with Netherlands.

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Sights and sounds

Goal of the match? Braun helps Argentina draw vs. South Africa

With their World Cup marketing campaign below existential menace, two targets in 5 minutes noticed Argentina storm again to erase a two-goal deficit and pressure a 2-2 draw with South Africa on Friday.

Placed in a gap because of 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 offer La Albiceleste a pulse in the 74th minute in Dunedin, earlier than Romina Nuñez despatched in a glancing header in 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 activities) July 28, 2023

For Argentina coach German Portanova, it was a sudden burst of life that might have left him questioning the place all this urgency and drive had been whereas they have been falling right into a two-goal deficit. For South Africa coach Desiree Ellis, although, it represented a lamentable incapability to close the gate on an opponent that, for huge swathes of what she had referred to as a must-win sport, had been disjointed and lackadaisical in defence — a blunder that had value her aspect a first-ever World Cup win after initially showing like they have been cruising.

Positive and purposeful on the counter, Banyana Banyana had taken the lead in the primary half when the Argentine defence slowed to a crawl anticipating the offside flag, just for overview to find out that Kgatlana had, in reality, been performed onside by Miriam Mayorga earlier than 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 drive house in the 66th, it appeared that the African champions have been house — just for Argentina to complete sturdy towards some suspect South African sport administration. — Joey Lynch

Canada limit media forward of essential Australia check

MELBOURNE/NAARM — Realistically, Australia and Canada’s match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Monday night looms as an important, win-and-you’re-in encounter. Barring a Nigerian collapse towards Ireland, both the reigning Olympic champions will probably be going house when the ultimate whistle blows, or a number nation could have cataclysmically exited in the group stage.

The stress is crushing. Perhaps in response, Canada will limit media entry to each their pregame information convention and the top of their coaching session — giving gamers an additional relaxation day after making the lengthy flight again from Perth.

One of three groups primarily based in Melbourne for the World Cup, Canada have been coaching on the floor of native National Premier League aspect Heidelberg United, with periods virtually completely coated by travelling members of the Canadian press. The interactions between media and gamers in much less formal settings following periods have been principally light-weight, with harder questions principally coming at mandated FIFA conferences.

With the Matildas primarily based in Brisbane and the overwhelming majority of Australia’s (tiny) soccer press pack with them till they fly down on Sunday, in the meantime, the possibilities of coaching all of the sudden being swarmed by a horde of disruptive native journos with the required accreditation to attend and realizing sufficient to ask tough questions is infinitesimal.

Previously, the Canadian press have beforehand raised points with participant entry on the males’s World Cup in Qatar. Men’s coach John Herdman instructed OneSoccer in June that criticism of his gamers and employees following a Concacaf Nations League closing defeat to the United States had been “disappointing and personal.” — Joey Lynch

Nigeria celebrations go lengthy

Nigeria produced a serious shock on the Women’s World Cup as they surprised Australia 3-2 on Thursday to depart the co-hosts’ match hopes on skinny ice. And their followers actually loved it.

Wendie Renard to resolve if she performs for France

France’s captain and most skilled participant Wendie Renard continues to be not 100% sure to face Brazil on Saturday in the massive conflict in Brisbane. After hurting her calf towards Jamaica in the opening sport, the defender stays uncertain.

“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 resolve earlier than the sport if she performs or not. It’s not my determination. She should inform me how she feels and if she will begin. We all want that she begins with out taking large dangers. She is aware of her physique.”

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%.

“Training is simply too totally different to enjoying large matches,” the French coach added. “She can be essential for the way in which she leads and helps the staff in the moments the place now we have to endure in a sport. She will get everybody collectively. 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

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 saw 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

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Features of the day

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.

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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 became “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 find it irresistible,” Oregon-born Sophia Braun, who scored Argentina’s first goal in the comeback, told reporters. “I’m so completely happy to be enjoying right here. Listen to the gang, they’re superior. They are motivating us. Thank you a lot for all of your love and assist. We are so grateful and can play onerous for you in the subsequent 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 road. — Sam Marsden