Day: June 13, 2019

Women’s World Cupdate: Favorites Stay on Top

Welcome to your daily 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup update, or Women’s World Cupdate, where we recap the past day’s proceedings from France while previewing what is still to come. These features will run every morning throughout the duration of the tournament and feature highlights, major news, and much more from France.

Here’s What Happened: Wednesday, June 12th

After watching fellow World Cup favorite the United States make a statement on Tuesday, France and Germany followed suit in their respective matches on Wednesday.

Nigeria got the day started with a crucial 2-0 victory over South Korea to position themselves for a shot at advancing to the knockout stages. Germany squeaked past fellow European side Spain to remain atop Group B and give themselves some breathing room with one match left. Host nation France used a controversial penalty decision to push past Norway in Group A and put themselves in prime position to win the group.

Nigeria 2-0 South Korea

Wearing their clean and crisp home uniforms, Nigeria kept their hopes alive for a spot in the knockout stages with a 2-0 victory over South Korea in Group A. An own goal by South Korea defender Kim Doyeon broke the ice midway through first half then Nigeria put the game to bed with an insurance tally in the second half.

Scoring a contender for goal of the tournament, Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala completed a great individual effort by displaying great body control to tuck the ball in from a sharp angle after being knocked off balance by a defender.

With the loss, South Korea is not mathematically eliminated from advancing to the knockout rounds but their hopes are very slim.

Goals

  • Kim Doyeon | NGA (29′ OG)
  • Asisat Oshoala | NGA (75′)

Highlights

Germany 1-0 Spain

Facing a future without their best player, Germany battled through a took command of Group B with a 1-0 victory over European rival Spain. It wasn’t always pretty for the Germans on this day, but that singular goal late in the first half was enough to survive and walk away with all three points.

A great save by the Spain goalkeeper from a header inside the penalty box turned into the lone German goal after a poor clearing attempt by the Spain defense. After the ball was saved, it sat near the goal line waiting to be cleared, but the Spanish defender did not act quickly enough. Forward Sara Däebritz came sliding in and got a touch on the ball to push it across the line before it could be cleared from trouble.

Goals

  • Sara Däebritz | GER (42′)

Highlights

France 2-1 Norway

This tournament marks the first time in history that Video Assisted Replay (VAR) is being used at a Women’s World Cup. For the most part, VAR is widely popular and expanding across the soccer world, but it does have its detractors and this game will give them more ammo to use against it.

Valerie Gauvin opened the scoring just out of halftime then Norway drew level thanks to own goal by opening match star Wendie Renard. With the match on track to end in a draw, it looked like each side would have to settle for a point.

Then France was given a lifeline when VAR stepped in and awarded a controversial penalty after a Norway defender clipped the leg of a France attacker on a clearing attempt. On the penalty opportunity, Eugenie Le Sommer slotted her shot past the goalkeeper to put France in front 2-1, the eventual final score.

Goals

  • Valerie Gauvin | FRA (46′)
  • Wendie Renard | NOR (54′ OG)
  • Eugenie Le Sommer | FRA (72′ PEN)

Highlights

Plays of the Day

It’s not always the goals that make the highlight tapes, sometimes you need to shine a light on the smaller plays that are too good to miss. Today’s top plays do feature one scoring moment, but the other two come courtesy some fancy footwork and great defense.

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

Everything about this goal from Oshoala is perfect starting with the pass. The ball is placed perfectly, Oshoala times her run exactly right to run onto the pass, then she composes herself enough to finish from an incredibly tight angle.

Jennifer Hermoso (Spain)

No goals on the board for Spain today, but first match hero Jennifer Hermoso pulled a few tricks out of her bag against Germany. This little nutmeg pass through the legs of a German defender brought the crowd to attention in the second half.

Sara Doorsoun (Germany)

You need goals to win games but great defense can do a lot of the heavy lifting if your offense decides to take the day off. Spain looked to have a great look at scoring the game’s opening goal against Germany until defender Sara Doorsoun ran down the attacker and quelled the threat with a beautiful tackle.

Group Update

Matchday 2 of the group stage is officially underway and now Group A and Group B have found some clarity. As expected, France and Germany sit atop their respective groups, but there is still some business to sort out in the final round of group play next week.

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Controversial or not, France will happily accept all three points from their match against Norway and hold onto first place in Group A. With the win, France is guaranteed at least a third place finish in the group. Second place and an automatic spot in the knockout rounds will be determined on the final matchday next week.

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Like France, Germany took all three points from their second group match and sit in first place in Group B. They cannot fall below third place and are now the overwhelming favorites to win the group outright. Group B will gain further clarity after China and South Africa play on Thursday.

Here’s What’s Next: Thursday, June 13th

Matchday 2 of group play at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup rolls into its second day of action with a pair of games. Group C will open its second round of group play when Australia and Brazil face-off in the early game. Back in Group B, South Africa and China look to keep their advancement hopes alive when they take on one another later in the day.

Australia v. Brazil (Group C)

Every match matters in a tournament setting like this, but some matches carry more weight than others. For Brazil, a victory here gives them one foot in the knockout round with one game still to play. Australia on the other hand needs to find a result against Brazil or all of their pre-tournament hopes could be for nothing.

  • Time: 12:00 PM
  • Location: Stade de la Mosson (Montpelier)
  • How to Watch: FOX

South Africa v. China (Group B)

Another meeting between two sides who absolutely need a win in their second match to keep hope alive for a spot in the knockout rounds. China looked capable against a strong Germany squad while South Africa were eventually overwhelmed by Spain. Three points can do a lot of good and even more so depending on the result of Wednesday’s Group B match.

  • Time: 3:00 PM
  • Location: Parc de Princes (Paris)
  • How to Watch: FOX

You can watch all these games live on the channels listed or streaming online at FoxSports.com with a cable sign in.

If highlights are more your style, check out @FOXSoccer on Twitter where goals and game recaps are posted throughout the day.

All game times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Golden Boot Standings

The Golden Boot Award goes to the top goal scorer at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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via FIFA.com

No change at the top after all goals on Wednesday were scored by either first time goalscorers or by own goal.

Keep up to date on everything Women’s World Cup right here on “The Bat Flip” where we will be posting our daily Women’s World Cupdate to recap what went on and preview what’s still to come in France.