Women’s World Cup Roundup: Final Matches in Groups D and E see two blowouts, a nil-nil draw, and another close match on Day 13

Day 13 of the Women’s World Cup featured yet another four matches on the day, being the last four matches for both Groups D and E. Both groups went into the matches without a winner being finalized, but there were the favorites to do so. In Group D, England was facing off against China as they looked to clinch the group, and Denmark was facing off against Haiti as they looked to move onto the knockouts and possibly win the group.

In Group E, the United States faced off against Portugal as they looked to improve on their recent form and attempt to win the group, while the Netherlands went up against Vietnam to try and take advantage of the United States’ play so far, and take home the Group E crown. All in all, Day 13 was looking to be set up for an interesting one, as both groups were still looking to see who will end the day at the top.

Women’s World Cup Roundup Day 13

Netherlands put on 7 on Vietnam, win Group E

The Netherlands went into this match knowing they needed at least three points along with making up two goals to beat the United States in goal difference and end as the top team in Group E. Their first two matches saw the Dutch defeat Portugal by a score of 1-0, and then draw against the United States 1-1 in the second match. This match was an important one for the Netherlands, as they looked to dominate and be able to claim the top spot in Group E.

The Dutch would do exactly as they wanted and were able to open up a 4-0 lead within the first 23 minutes of the match. Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeijs, Esmee Brugts, and Jill Roord all scored to help the team jump out to the early lead. They were not yet done in the first half, as Danielle van de Donk would add a fifth in the 45th minute, which gave the Netherlands a comfortable 5-0 lead going into halftime. They would add two more goals in the second with both Esmee Brugts and Jill Roord picking up their second of the game. The Netherlands would end up dominating the match, winning 7-0.

This win would mean that the Dutch would be the winners of Group E, and also provide them with an easier matchup to advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Vietnam will be exiting the tournament, as they have been previously eliminated with their prior results.

Group E Standings

Netherlands – 7 points | +8 GD
United States – 5 points | +3 GD
Portugal – 4 points | +1 GD
Vietnam – 0 points | -12 GD

United States advances to Round of 16 with nil-nil draw vs Portugal

The USWNT went into the match against Portugal hoping that they would have an improved performance from their 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. The winner of Group E was still up for grabs, so the Americans were hoping to be able to dominate and take the Group E crown. But, the match ended in a 0-0 draw, with the United States ending the night in second place in the group, a post width away from being out of the World Cup. Read more about the match with the recap by Regina Ham down below!

https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2023/08/01/uswnt-draw-against-portugal-wwc

Group E Standings

Netherlands – 7 points | +8 GD
United States – 5 points | +3 GD
Portugal – 4 points | +1 GD
Vietnam – 0 points | -12 GD

Lauren James and England Have Their Best Match of the Tournament, Defeat China 6-1

In a match that decided the winner of Group D, England had their best performance of the World Cup, absolutely dominating in a 6-1 win. In their first two matches, England beat Haiti by a score of 1-0 and Denmark by a score of 2-0, so they were hoping for an improved performance to help them end up at the top of the group. They would do exactly that, with Lauren James also having an impressive match for the side.

The scoring would be opened up early, as the new Arsenal signing Alessia Russo would score in the 4th minute. Russo would slot the ball past the goalie’s right side, in what was a beautiful finish. England would not be done yet in the first half, as they would add two more goals to the scoresheet, courtesy of Lauren Hemp and Lauren James. England would go into the halftime break with a 3-0 lead, and absolutely dominating the match.

The second half would have a little bit of a different story than the first half, as China would get on the scoresheet first to cut down the lead to 3-1. China was given a penalty, and Wang Shuang would make no mistake, in converting it. England would get their three-goal lead back about 8 minutes later, as Lauren James scored her second of the game to give her a brace and a 4-1 England lead. Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly would add two more in the half, and the final whistle would blow with England winning 6-1.

With this dominating win, England took home the Group D crown, and the chance to face off against Nigeria in the Round of 16 at this World Cup. China was unfortunately sent home from the tournament, finishing in third place in the group.

Group D Standings

England – 9 points | +7 GD
Denmark – 6 points | +2 GD
China – 3 points | -5 GD
Haiti – 0 points | -4 GD

Denmark Secures Round of 16 Qualification with Win over Haiti

Denmark went into this match knowing that three points would most likely guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup. Haiti was already eliminated from the tournament, so they could possibly be playing spoiler in the match.

Denmark thought they had the dream start in the third minute when Simone Boye scored, but the goal was called offsides, and the score remained 0-0. But Pernille Harder would give Denmark the lead, as she converted her penalty in the 21st minute. The score would stay the same for the remainder of the first half, as Denmark would go into the break with an important 1-0 lead.

The second half saw Denmark start to take more control of the match, and just dominate in all aspects of the pitch. Haiti kept trying to push forward trying to score the equalizer, but Denmark was playing well under the pressure, and would eventually get their reward in stoppage time towards the end of the second half. Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen would score and give Denmark the 2-0 lead. This would be what the score was at the end of the match, with Denmark officially moving onto the Round of 16 as the second-place team in Group D. Haiti would go home finishing last in the group from their first-ever World Cup appearance.