Women’s World Cup Roundup: shocking wins, gut-wrenching losses highlight Group F and G on Day 14

Two weeks into the 2023 edition of the Women’s World Cup and there are a plethora of highlight-worthy moments. The U.S. women barely skated into the Round of 16, Canada’s shocking exit at the hands of Japan, and Nigeria advanced to the knockouts after a draw with Ireland.

Four matches made up matchday 14 and boy, were there some wins and losses that made the record books. Were the Italians destined for the Round of 16? Could Argentina’s women hand the pink slip to the Swedes? Was Marta destined to see if she can get her coveted World Cup? Could Les Bleues find their path to the final? Sit down, grab a coffee, and read what you missed on Day 14.

Women’s World Cup Roundup Day 14

South Africa with the last gasp shock 3-2 win over Italy

A berth in the round of 16 was on the line as the Italians in Group G faced off against South Africa. But it was already going to be an uphill battle for the Italians. Saturday’s game featured a brutal 5-0 loss to Sweden making South Africa a must-win game.

It was Italy’s fourth Women’s World Cup, where it has twice made the quarterfinals, most recently in 2019. But the 54th-ranked team in the world stunned Italy, ranked 16th by FIFA, with a 3-2 victory in the Group G finale.

The Italians opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Karabo Dhlamini tripped Italy forward Chiara Beccari just inside the box and Arianna Caruso put the penalty into the bottom left corner of the net. South Africa equalized the game in the 32nd minute thanks to an own goal from Italy’s Benedetta Orsi. She tried passing the ball back but never looked to make sure that keeper Francesca Durante was there.

The Banyana Banyana went up in the second half for the first time in the tournament during the 67th minute. Striker Thembi Kgatlana sent an inside pass to Hildah Magaia. She was free behind the defensive line and the forward netted it for goal number two. Seven minutes later, Italy responded in kind. Caruso took a ball that hit her in the hip and in a goalmouth scramble, sent it into the corner to even the game at two goals a piece.

Italy looked like they could breathe a small moment of relief but South Africa wasn’t done with them yet. Into stoppage time, Magaia’s pass found Kgatlana in the box. The striker smashed the ball into the net to hand South Africa their first-ever Women’s World Cup win. They finished second in Group 6 behind Sweden.

Group G standings

Sweden- 9 pts | +8 goal differential
South Africa- 4 pts | 0 goal differential
Italy- 3 pts | -5 goal differential
Argentina- 1 pt | -3 goal differential

Sweden comes out on top of Group G with 2-0 victory

Blinding rain did not stop Sweden as they looked to book their place in the knockout round in their Group G match against Argentina. The much-changed Sweden side reached the Women’s World Cup last 16 with a perfect record, defeating Argentina 2-0 in New Zealand.

Argentina was hit with the injury bug, losing midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo to injury just before the break at halftime. Peter Gerhardsson, the Swedish manager, made nine changes to the side that only needed a draw to advance. While Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson retained their places, it wasn’t the blowout Sweden expected.

Both teams were sluggish in the first half. The best shot on target by the Swedes in the first half was a weak free-kick from Olivia Schough. In the 66th minute, there was finally a break in the stalemate. Rebecka Blomqvist took the cross from Sofia Jakobsson and put the header to the back of the net to make it 1-0 Sweden. Elin Rubensson came on as a substitute and in the 90th minute, she sealed the victory for the Swedish side with a 90th-minute penalty. Argentina’s Gabriela Chavez committed a foul while defending a corner kick to give Rubensson the shot.

Next up for Sweden is the U.S. The clash between the United States, the two-time reigning World Cup champions, and third-ranked Sweden will be their seventh meeting.

Group G standings

Sweden- 9 pts | +8 goal differential
South Africa- 4 pts | 0 goal differential
Italy- 3 pts | -5 goal differential
Argentina- 1 pt | -3 goal differential

Heartbreak for Brazil in 0-0 draw against Jamaica

For all soccer fans, Marta is one of the biggest names in the sport. Yet the lucrative World Cup has eluded her in her career. Unfortunately for the 37-year-old Brazilian legend in her last World Cup, it will be an accomplishment she will not reach as Brazil was eliminated in their 0-0 draw with Jamaica in Group F.

Brazil entered the game knowing it would almost certainly need a win to progress. Unless there was an upset of epic proportions in the simultaneous match between France and Panama. Marta found herself in the starting XI as head coach Pia Sundhage realized it was not or never.

The first half was all As Canarinhas. They couldn’t manage an early breakthrough but they dominated proceedings in the first half – racking up 64% of possession and four shots on target. Jamaica by comparison just was an occasional threat- with only four shots on goal the whole match. The second half was of urgency to Marta and her squad. Every forward break and tackle was heavily cheered by fans in attendance.

But the Reggae Girlz started to apply more pressure on the Brazilian defenders. Star striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw gave her squad the best look of the game when she broke through the defense only for the shot to sail high over the crossbar.

The 94th minute- the final minute of the match- was when the floodwaters broke loose. A scramble broke out in the six-yard box as the ball rebounded around before safely landing in the hands of Jamaican goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.

Brazil’s shock exit put an end to World Cup hopes for Marta. But for Jamaica, they became the first Caribbean nation to reach the knockout phase of the Women’s World Cup. They also never previously reached the knockout stages of a World Cup – men’s or women’s.

Group F Standings

France- 7 pts | +4 goal differential
Jamaica- 5 pts | +1 goal differential
Brazil- 4 pts | +3 goal differential
Panama- 0 pts | -8 goal differential

France overcomes early concerns to defeat Panama 6-3

The final Group F match of the day saw France take on Panama in Sydney in a match that didn’t go quite how Les Bleues wanted- at first.

National anthems weren’t even over before Panama opened up the scoring. Marta Cox lined up the free-kick from over 30 meters out and it was unlikely she’d have a chance of finding the top-left hand of the net. But she proved them all wrong and sent it sailing to put Panama up 1-0. The starting team, bench, and coaches alike for Las Canaleras were engaged in a mass pile-on after the goal.

The Panamanian defense held up until the 21st minute when France got their juices flowing. Deysire Salazar’s attempted clearance rocketed into the roof of the net and Les Bleues equalized at one. This saw France score three more times to make it 4-1 in a seven-minute period. Kadidiatou Diani notched a hat trick in the tournament: scoring in the 28th, 37th, and 52nd minutes.

Diani became the first French woman to score a hat-trick at a World Cup – and just the third French soccer star ever, after Kylian Mbappé and Just Fontaine.

Yomira Pinzon gave Panama their second goal of the game off a penalty and then in the 87th minute, they added their third. Lineth Cedeno took advantage of a fortuitous bounce off the crossbar to nod home into an unguarded net. The 6-3 win for the French means they took Group F and will face the second-place Group H squad.