The Women’s World Cup went through 15 dramatic days of the group stage in Australia and New Zealand that saw the field go from 32 to 16 teams. The knockout rounds began with two of the best teams from the group stage taking on two underdogs. Let’s take a look at the first day of the knockout rounds!
Women’s World Cup Roundup: Day 1 of the knockout rounds
Spain blasts five goals past Switzerland en route to quarterfinals
Spain made the Round of 16 after looking very good in their group-stage games. Spain loves to dominate possession and force their opposition into making defensive mistakes. Their opponent Switzerland is not the same. The Swiss love to sit and defend and that platform helped them grind out results to get to the knockout rounds. This match was one where there were two nations with very different ways to play the game. Early on, the team that likes to use the ball found success.
The match began, and Spain was in on goal. Their onslaught on the Swiss was instantaneous. Spain created one of their patented attacks on the wing and crossed into Switzerland’s box in the fifth minute. After some chaos, Aitana Bonmati smashed the ball into the net to give Spain the early lead. They’d give the lead away just minutes later. While Spain was building up possession, centerback Laia Codina was pressured and played a blind pass back toward her own keeper, or so she thought; the ball rolled into their own goal and Switzerland was given a gift.
It was 1-1 after 11 minutes, and it was a perfect opportunity for Switzerland to break out of their super-defensive shape in order to stop Spain’s dominant possession. However, they did not do this, and Spain just kept on coming. Another Spanish attack down the wing found a cross in the box, Alba Redondo was first to react to it as she ran across the box and headed home her effort. It was 2-1 in the 17th minute.
About 15 minutes later Bonmati scored her second of the day for Spain; another cross came in, chaos ensued in the box, and Bonmati was able to pounce on the chance to make it 3-1. Spain would add a fourth from a corner just before halftime as Laia Codina made up for her own goal by poking home a bouncing ball in the box.
At 4-1, the match was virtually over at halftime. Switzerland never broke out of their defensive shell, even when they needed to chase the game. Spain added a fifth goal thanks to Jennifer Hermoso, and they are off to the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup!
- Spain will take on the winner of Netherlands vs South Africa on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 9 pm EST!
Japan outclass Norway to keep great form going
Japan had the most impressive Group Stage of any team at this World Cup. They scored 11 goals and conceded none en route to winning their Group C. They took on the Group A runners-up Norway who lost their first match and drew their second in the group stage. Norway needed a giant win in their third match to advance, which they got over the Philippines. Could the awakened giant that is Norway take out a blossoming one in Japan?
Early in this game, it was Japan who dictated the match. It had been their defensive shape that allowed Japan to create their attacks in the group stage. In this match, they put the pedal to the metal. After a few chances, Japan found the opening goal in an unconventional way. Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa was able to cut the ball into Norway’s box and fire a cross; Norway’s Ingrid Engen blocked the cross but it deflected toward her own net and it went in in the 15th minute.
Norway woke up after that goal and looked to answer They were able to do something no other team has done in this World Cup so far, score a goal against Japan. Goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen sent a ball long and Vilde Risa powered down the wing. She crossed the ball to the penalty spot where Guro Reiten rose up to head the ball home! It was 1-1 in the 20th minute.
As the game went to halftime it looked like it would be a back-and-forth affair in the second half, but that is when Japan turned things on to outclass Norway. Norway was trying to play out of the back in the 50th minute, and a wayward pass was intercepted by Risa Shimizu and put an attempt on goal that was able to find its way in! With 40 minutes to play Japan had the lead and looked to add to it.
As the match entered the final 10 minutes Japan looked to shut the door on Norway. The Norwegians were pressing to tie the match but left themselves vulnerable doing so. In the 81st minute, Japan struck the final blow as Hinata Miyazawa scored her fifth goal of the tournament. She was put in on goal and finished with confidence to give Japan the 3-1 lead. They would see out the final minutes and move on to the quarterfinals of this World Cup!
- Japan will take on the winner of Sweden vs USA on Friday, Aug. 11 at 3:30 am EST!
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Mandatory Credit: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino & AP Photo/Abbie Parr.
