England face competition from three rivals as Women's World Cup chances debated
The Women's World Cup knockout stages are upon us and the next few days promise to deliver plenty of mouthwatering match-ups.
This summer's tournament has already provided us with plenty of memorable moments, with six of the world's Top 20 teams (at least according to FIFA) crashing out in the group stages. Copa America winners Brazil were sent packing after being held by Jamaica, Olympic Champions Canada were dismissed following defeat to Australia and - most shocking of all - EURO 2022 runners-up Germany were eliminated after claiming just one solitary victory.
That flurry of group stage giant-killings has opened the door for one of the most exciting, unpredictable knockout stages in World Cup history. Among the teams set to battle it out in the Round of 16 are England's Lionesses, fresh from their 6-1 demolition of China and bidding to win the trophy for the first time in their history.
Sarina Wiegman's side will, however, face stern opposition from a host of competitors. 2011 winners Japan have looked formidable so far, while Sweden, too, triumphed in all of their group games. But, despite patchy recent form, the reigning champions USA know exactly what it takes to go all the way at this tournament.
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Beth Lindop - England
Football's fickle nature is perhaps never more evident than at a major tournament. Two short weeks ago, I thought Germany were destined for a third World Cup triumph, with reigning champions USA the most likely candidate to spoil their party.
And yet, here we are. Germany are out and the USA - if they don't quickly buck their ideas up - surely won't be far behind them.
Coming into this summer, I thought England's injury crisis would prove insurmountable. That feeling was only exacerbated by the sight of Keira Walsh leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the Lionesses' narrow victory over Denmark.
But, after a slow start to the tournament, England's demolition of China has well and truly convinced me of their World Cup-winning credentials. Sarina Wiegman's tactical switch proved a masterstroke against the Asian champions, with Lauren James treating her first major tournament like a game of 5-A-Side down the local park and the rest of the team seemingly starting to find their groove too.
Of course, there will be sterner tests to come, and the group stages have shown that no opponent should be underestimated. That being said, England irrefutably find themselves on the more favourable side of the draw and, based on what we've seen at this tournament so far, should fear absolutely no one as they go in pursuit of their first World Cup trophy.
England players celebrate during the 6-1 victory over ChinaMegan Feringa - Japan
It was somewhere shortly after Hinata Miyazawa’s second goal against Spain just before half-time that I decided to nail my colours to the Japan mast.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup has been a wonderful minefield for the tournament’s historical goliaths, with Brazil, Canada and Germany picking up their premature debris as others squirm from their increasingly ephemeral perches.
All bar Japan and Sweden, who romped through the group stages without fuss.
Still Japan’s 4-0 demolition of Spain, which could and should have been an even more gory final result, makes them all-out favourites for me, not for the scoreline but the manner in which it transpired.
For every opponent thus far, Japan has crafted a bespoke game plan to nullify their opposition. So despite heavy rotation, Japan were still able to thwart Spain at the jugular, a direct testament to the tactical acumen of Futoshi Ikeda and the strength in depth touted by the roster.
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This, I predict, will only continue.
My only hesitation? England. And by England, I mean Lauren James. If the 21-year-old Chelsea phenomenon continues to start games and nonchalantly carve them in her image, England will take another trophy home with them.
Hinata Miyazawa celebrates scoring against Spain to fire Japan into an early 1-0 lead (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)Hannah Pinnock - Netherlands
The Netherlands haven't been spoken about enough this tournament when it comes to the favourites. Maybe that's because they're without their all-time leading goalscorer Vivianne Miedema.
Injuries have hampered a number of teams already, but the Dutch seem to be coping with their injury concerns reasonably well. They beat Portugal in their opening game, held the USA to a draw and absolutely thrashed Vietnam 7-0 to top group E.
Finalists in 2019, I don't think it's too far-fetched to suggest they'll get there again and potentially go one step further this time around. Only a handful of nations have looked comfortable at this tournament so far, including Japan and Sweden, but the Netherlands have quietly dipped under the radar, despite being a force in the game.
Maybe their disappointing quarter-final exit at the Euros last year, following a 1-0 loss to France, has resulted in many writing them off. But they have a squad that boasts incredible talent, even without Miedema. 20-year-old Esmee Brugts announced herself on the world stage last time out with two goals against Vietnam and is certainly one to watch as an up and coming young talent.
Louise Wilkes - Spain
The Spanish side have gone somewhat under the radar this tournament, that was until they succumbed to a 4-0 loss to Japan. Alexia Putellas makes her return on the international stage in this tournament and there's an err of overriding exuberance when she's on the field as opposed to taking a front-row seat on the bench.
Okay, they had a rather significant wobble against the 2011 World Cup winners but they most definitely haven’t been spoken about as much as they deserve. Every team in this World Cup has had an ‘oops’ moment and that also goes for the Women’s football heavyweight sides that have been booted out at the group stage - Germany, Canada and Brazil to name a few. No one is immune.
Like many nations in this competition, Spain are in a quarrel with their governing body and once Jorge Vilda announced his 23-player squad minus 15 prolific Spanish talent it's far to say the world assumed they wouldn’t be able to recover and link up as well as they have.
Alexia Putellas in action during the Women's World Cup match between Spain and Zambia at Eden Park on July 26, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Somehow this squad are palming personal agendas aside and sticking together for the greater good, that is the beautiful game. The side ranked sixth by FIFA does not get there by accident or losing important games. Japan wasn’t, for intents purposes, an important game.
Spain had already progressed into the knock-out stages one of the first teams to do so. They held the highest statistical shots and shots on target and were among the top in goal tally before the round three group stages. If anything, I reckon the Japanese thrashing only helped La Roja to identify and correct any defensive weaknesses and mishaps before it gets real. And now, we are going to witness the magic.
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