Women’s World Cup 2023: Mary Earps and Linda Caicedo feature as Sky Sports’ journalists give tournament verdicts | Football News

Best participant? Best aim? Best XI? Sky Sports’ journalists and reporters give their World Cup 2023 verdicts after a record-breaking tournament.

Charlotte Marsh: World-class Earps England’s saviour

Best participant – Mary Earps

No one had an even bigger hand – actually and figuratively – in serving to their staff win video games than England’s Mary Earps. She made world-class save after world-class save at instances when the Lionesses desperately wanted it. A deserved Golden Glove winner.

Best aim – Linda Caicedo vs Germany

There had been so many good targets, however for me, Linda Caicedo’s strike sticks within the reminiscence. The skilful contact to bypass two Germany defenders and then a scrumptious end, all from a participant who is barely 18. After all the pieces she has been by means of at such a younger age, it was a surprising strike from {the teenager}.

Best second – Australia win penalty shootout in opposition to France

A second that can outline girls’s soccer in Australia for years to come back. France wasted their probabilities in opposition to the decided Matildas, who went on to win a rollercoaster of a shootout 7-6. The scenes had been joyous as followers throughout the nation soaked within the historic consequence – even on an airplane. It epitomised precisely what the World Cup is all about.

Breakout star – Linda Caicedo

What’s life with out consistency? It was not simply the aim in opposition to Germany that made her standout, Caicedo sparkled in each sport she performed. To begin in 5 World Cup video games, together with two enormous knockout fixtures, is a giant ask for anybody. But to take action as a youngster and show such maturity and technical expertise is exceptional.

Best sport – Sweden 0-0 USA (5-4 on penalties)

Aside from the ultimate, the most important results of the tournament. It was a sport that had all the pieces – two high three-ranked groups going toe-to-toe in a battle of defence versus assault. Fittingly, it was determined by the barest of margins, as Sweden knocked the USA out earlier than the semi-finals for the primary time ever. Extraordinary.

Team of the tournament:

Mary Earps (England), Olga Carmona (Spain), Alex Greenwood (England), Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden), Ona Batlle (Spain), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Kenza Dali (France), Hayley Raso (Australia), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan), Linda Caicedo (Colombia), Kadidatou Diani (France).

Laura Hunter: Gifted Bonmati a pleasure to observe

Best participant – Aitana Bonmati

I made no secret of my affection for Aitana Bonmati’s expertise all through protection of this tournament. What a pleasure to observe. Her shut ball management is best than any I’ve ever seen. An adhesive contact, fantastic imaginative and prescient and timing, and an eye fixed for aim. The full midfielder. Watch out Alexia Putellas, Bonmati is coming on your crown.

Best aim – Sam Kerr vs England

This is simply beautiful. Audacious in nature, completely executed. Imagine having the nous and skill to cost 50 yards up subject, surrounded by opposition shirts, earlier than unleashing a rocket high left. Simply outrageous little bit of solo play from among the finest within the enterprise.

Best second – Chloe Kelly profitable penalty

Everyone was on tenterhooks as Chloe Kelly stepped as much as take England’s fifth penalty versus Nigeria. A nation held its collective breath, glued to the TV display. Yet Chloe Kelly barely batted an eyelid. Zero emotion, till the ball hit the again of the web after all – cue the uproar. It takes an actual participant to display such finality below a lot stress.

Breakout star – Linda Caicedo

Wouldn’t or not it’s good for one in every of us to say one thing unique or left-field? Sorry, will not be me. Caicedo made this World Cup her stage, she owned it, as if she belonged all alongside. Shout out additionally Lauren James – she made England sing at instances when nobody else might.

Best sport – Switzerland 1-5 Spain

I loved Sweden’s win over the USA – on the idea England’s pursuit of final glory turned that bit ‘simpler’. But who can title a 0-0 as ‘sport of the tournament’? Sorry, Charlotte. My vote goes to Spain’s emphatic victory over the Swiss. I’m a purist. Bonmati scores a beautiful opener, then it rains targets – together with the oddest personal aim you are ever prone to see.

Team of the tournament:

Mary Earps (England), Olga Carmona (Spain), Alex Greenwood (England), Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden), Ona Batlle (Spain), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Jill Roord (Netherlands), Jenni Hermoso (Spain), Linda Caicedo (Colombia), Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Alessia Russo (England).

Anton Toloui: Paralluelo introduced herself

Best participant – Mary Earps

An unglamorous and patriotic selection however in a tournament with out many standouts, Earps’ love of the large event was paramount. England would have been humbled by Haiti, nixed by Nigeria and suffered a heavier defeat within the ultimate if it wasn’t for his or her No 1.

Best aim – Linda Caicedo vs Germany

A mixture of elegant ability and precision ending. Her fast toes terrified the Germany defence and arrange one of many moments of the tournament. Not solely was it a good looking aim, it additionally confirmed the rising nations are right here to remain.

Best second – Relief of profitable vs Nigeria

Chloe Kelly’s rocket despatched England into the World Cup quarter-finals and calmed a stressed-out fanbase. England did not need to beat Nigeria; their grit and dedication obtained them by means of it. Kelly’s penalty was calm, exact and was hit so arduous it propelled England into the subsequent spherical.

Breakout star – Salma Paralluelo

World soccer has a brand new star. The 19-year previous is the primary participant to be U17, U20 and senior world champion and you’ll be able to see why. Athletic and technically gifted, Paralluelo is a nightmare for defenders. Getting the nod over back-to-back Ballon D’Or winner Alexia Putellas in a World Cup ultimate exhibits {the teenager}’s time is now.

Best sport – Australia 0-0 France (7-6 penalties)

This was the sport that encapsulated a rustic. Australia had already purchased into the tournament like no different hosts earlier than, however this made the Matildas the most popular stars within the Southern Hemisphere. Thirteen penalties, a star born in Mackenzie Arnold and utter chaos was the most effective type of leisure.

Team of the tournament:

Mary Earps (England), Olga Carmona (Spain), Alex Greenwood (England), Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden), Ona Batlle (Spain), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Jill Roord (Netherlands), Teresa Abelleira (Spain), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan), Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Kadidatou Diani (France).

Caroline Barker: Greenwood a lower above

Best participant – Alex Greenwood

With a defensive reshuffle and a lot resting on her shoulders, Greenwood barely put a foot fallacious, becoming with ease right into a again three or 4. Set-piece supply was exemplary. She marshalled all the pieces. And had England received the World Cup, she would have claimed finest participant.

Best aim – Sam Kerr vs England

The aim was good! A thunderbolt. But what it might’ve meant, drawing Australia stage, in spite of everything her damage issues within the tournament, it was ‘goal-den’.

Best second – New Zealand upset vs Norway

From consoling gamers after defeat, to kissing family members within the stands, to Katie McCabe scoring from a nook in opposition to Canada – what a method to mark a primary ever World Cup look for Ireland. This was the World Cup of upsets, although, and it began proper firstly with New Zealand, the co-hosts, getting their first ever win and over Norway too. Epic!

Breakout star – Linda Caicedo

Have to agree with those that have named Caicedo – what an unbelievable story. Made her senior staff debut aged 14, then was recognized with ovarian most cancers at 15. She scored fantastic targets and had everybody speaking forward of the match with England. Brilliant.

Best sport – South Africa 3-2 Italy

My runner-up is Colombia beating Germany to all however safe development, with their head coach nonetheless serving a ban, a surprise aim from Caicedo, and a 97th minute winner. Only simply pipped by South Africa’s last-second win to knock out Italy and earn their first-ever Women’s World Cup victory.

Team of the tournament:

Mary Earps (England), Olga Carmona (Spain), Alex Greenwood (England), Millie Bright (England), Risa Shimizu (Japan), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Teresa Abelleira (Spain), Jill Roord (Netherlands), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan), Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Linda Caicedo (Colombia).

Pien Meulensteen: Reggae Girlz made historical past

Best participant – Aitana Bonmati

A midfield maestro, who dictates a number of Spain’s play. She can rating vital targets and create probabilities – but additionally break up play and defends brilliantly when wanted. It’s no shock she received the Golden Ball.

Best aim – Marta Cox vs France

The approach, the facility and the accuracy was excellent. But for me, I keep in mind this aim as a result of her response confirmed simply how a lot it means for a participant to attain at a World Cup finals. Incredible.

Best second – History made for the Reggae Girlz

The ahead roll from Lorne Donaldson at full-time, after drawing in opposition to Brazil to safe development, is a specific favorite reminiscence. After all the pieces Jamaica needed to take care of to even get themselves to a World Cup finals, to get to a knockout stage of a significant tournament was a tremendous achievement.

Breakout star – Linda Caicedo

At simply 18-years-old (which is totally unbelievable to assume), she is an actual celebrity for Colombia and technically a superb participant. Who can overlook that sensational aim she scored in opposition to Germany?

Best sport – England 6-1 China

Clinical. The targets had been excellent and this was a sport that proved simply how unstoppable England may be.

Team of the tournament

Mary Earps (England), Olga Carmona (Spain), Wendie Renard (France), Millie Bright (England), Ona Batlle (Spain), Jill Roord (Netherlands), Keira Walsh (England), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan), Kadidiatou Diani (France), Linda Caicedo (Colombia).

Izzy Christiansen: Matildas progressing on penalties essential for tournament

Best participant – Lauren Hemp

I believed she was in excellent type all through. In and out of possession was very good, aim contributions and all-round technical points of her sport had been on a really excessive stage.

Best aim – Linda Caicedo vs Germany

The contact, fast toes and end had been excellent and added to the teen having an excellent tournament. A aim like that in opposition to Germany is spectacular.

Best second – Australia beating France on penalties in quarter-final

The co-hosts progressing after probably the most nerve-wracking penalty shootout was an unbelievable second for the Matildas, but additionally the tournament. The Australians deserved to progress and the impact it had on the staff was simply unbelievable.

Breakout star – Salma Paralluelo

She was very good off the bench, performed with confidence and got here up with essential targets on her staff’s quest to the ultimate. The 19-year-old then began the ultimate as a reward, she’s obtained a brilliant future.

Best sport – USA vs Sweden

Tactically one of the vital fascinating video games together with the ultimate. USA performed virtually the right sport, regardless of the critics. But the way by which Sweden received was extraordinary. The goalkeeping performances from each gamers in that sport, the technicality of the USA was spectacular, the shootout – it had all the pieces.

Team of the tournament

Mary Earps (England), Ona Batlle (Spain), Alex Greenwood (England), Naomi Girma (USA), Steph Catley (Australia), Teresa Abelleira (Spain), Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Leicy Santos (Colombia), Lauren Hemp (England), Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Alessia Russo (England).