Day: June 14, 2019

Women’s World Cupdate: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

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: Thursday, June 13th

As the tournament makes its way through the second round of group stage play, many teams are getting desperate and need results to keep their hopes alive. Four of those teams were in action on Thursday, but only two walked away from the action on a positive note.

Australia’s outlook seemed bleak nearing halftime against a Brazil, but a ferocious comeback saw them grab all three points and break Group C wide open with Italy and Jamaica still to play. Over in Group B, China bounced back from an opening match loss to Germany by taking all three points from South Africa, who are now in serious trouble with only one match left.

Australia 3-2 Brazil

All the expectations Australia carried with them to France looked to be crashing around them as their match with Brazil closed in on halftime. After a Marta penalty and another goal from Cristiane, Australia looked on their way out of the Women’s World Cup. Then everything started to change in first half injury time.

Caitlin Foord put Australia on the board in the first minute of added time to cut the deficit to 2-1 entering the break. With momentum on their side coming out of the locker room, Australia continued to push and were rewarded for their efforts. In the 58th minute, Chloe Logarzo sent a pass towards Sam Kerr in front of goal, except the ball missed Kerr and skipped past a flailing Brazil keeper to level the score.

Less than 10 minutes later, Australia completed its comeback that had to be confirmed by VAR. Another cross was sent in towards Kerr where Brazilian defender Mônica made an aggressive play on the ball, but instead of clearing it away, the ball deflected off her head and into the goal. A long VAR replay commenced to determine if Kerr was offsides. Video showed she was in an illegal position, but she did not have any effect on the play, allowing the goal to stand and giving Australia a vital three points.

Goals

  • Marta | BRA (27′ PEN)
  • Cristiane | BRA (38′)
  • Caitlin Foord | AUS (45’+1′)
  • Chloe Logarzo | AUS (58′)
  • Mônica | AUS (66′ OG)

Highlights

South Africa 0-1 China

Both China and South Africa were coming off losses in their respective opening matches in France, meaning this match carried great importance for both sides. China were the better side from the start and controlled most of the possession all match long. After watching several chances go by the wayside, China was rewarded for its strong play in the 40th minute.

A cross into the box from Zhang Rui was volleyed home by Li Ying to put China in front 1-0 and it was a lead they never surrendered the rest of the way. South Africa did everything in its power to fight its way back into the game but could never produce anything in the way of a true threatening chance. China held firm on defense and closed the game out to claim a crucial three points in Group B.

Goals

  • Li Ying | CHN (40′)

Highlights

Plays of the Day

A sweet volley, a lucky strike, and a double-dose of nutmeg make up our top plays from Thursday’s action in France.

Li Ying (China)

China’s first goal of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup was a beauty from Yi Ling off a volley in the box that kept their hopes alive for advancing into the knockout rounds.

Chloe Logarzo (Australia)

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than be good and that’s what happened for Chloe Logarzo who watched her attempted pass miss its target but still end up in the back of the net to draw Australia level with Brazil.

Cristiane and Debinha (Brazil)

What’s better than one nutmeg? Two nutmegs in the same passing sequence. Cristiane fools her defender before teammate Debinha does the same seconds later to give the Brazil offense a chance at goal.

Group Update

Every game played in this second matchday of group stage play brings the group picture more into focus. With Thursday’s matches in the book, Group B becomes Germany’s group to lose while Group C is busted wide open with Australia’s second half comeback. France and Germany are guaranteed as spot in the knockout rounds based on Thursday’s results.

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Germany goes 2-for-2 in group stage matches and sits atop Group B through Matchday 2. China gets on the board with a win over South Africa and will control its own destiny when they take on Spain in the final group stage match next week.

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As it stands, Group C is shaping up to be the most wide open group of the tournament. Australia and Brazil now sit level at three points apiece while Italy can jump to the top of Group C with a win on Friday against Jamaica.

Advancing to knockout rounds: France (A), Germany (B)

Here’s What’s Next: Friday, June 14th

INTRO

Japan v. Scotland (Group D)

If Japan hopes to make a third straight World Cup final, then a win over Scotland will do a world of good for their chances. An unexpected draw with Argentina in the opening match means Japan are in a bit of a tight spot in Group D. Scotland showed its mettle against England so they will not be an easy out and need a result themselves to stay alive.

  • Time: 9:00 AM
  • Location: Roazhon Park (Rennes)
  • How to Watch: FS1

Jamaica v. Italy (Group C)

With Australia coming from behind to beat Brazil on Thursday, this match presents a golden opportunity for both sides. Italy can go top of the group and clear its way to the knockout rounds with a victory while a win for Jamaica would not only be historic, but put themselves in a prime position to advance as well.

  • Time: 12:00 PM
  • Location: Stade Auguste-Delaune (Reims)
  • How to Watch: FOX

England v. Argentina (Group D)

Argentina made history in its first group match against Japan but they are about to face a much tougher challenge in the second group match with England. If Argentina hopes to pull another result out of this match, it will need to use the same formula they did against Japan, the only problem is England are much more proficient in the attack and will be looking to make a big statement after watching other favorites do the same.

  • Time: 3:00 PM
  • Location: Stade Océane (Le Havre)
  • 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 in the top-10 but Cristiane of Brazil does inch closer to Alex Morgan and the top spot with her goal on Thursday against Australia.

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.