Day: June 18, 2019

Women’s World Cupdate: Blitzkrieg and Controversy

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: Monday, June 17th

Matchday 3 kicked off at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Group A and Group B in action to conclude their group stage matches. France and Germany took care of business to win their respective groups. A controversial VAR decision left Nigeria hanging in the balance as the third place team in Group A while China secured a point to qualify for the Round of 16 in third place from Group B. Norway and Spain also locked down knockout spots, finishing runner-up in Group A and Group B respectively.

China 0-0 Spain

More history for Spain was made on Monday following its scoreless draw with China in the third and final group match. After winning its first ever match at the Women’s World Cup against South Africa, Spain advanced to the knockout stages for the first time in its history with a point and superior goal differential over China.

For most of the contest, Spain was the better side and getting most of the scoring chances, but Chinese goalkeeper Peng Shimeng refused to blink and kept Spain off the board. Multiple diving saves from Peng kept the game level, and in the end, helped China snag a crucial point and book a spot in the Round of 16 along with Spain out of Group B.

As runner-up from Group B, Spain will head to the Round of 16 for a matchup with the winner of Group F, either the United States or Sweden. For China, they must wait to learn its opponent after finishing in third place. Possible Round of 16 opponents for China are the winners of Group C or Group D.

Goals

  • None

Highlights

South Africa 0-4 Germany

It’s been a long time since Germany lost a match in group stage play at the Women’s World Cup, 24 years to be exact. That streak continued on Monday with a dominating 4-0 victory over first time qualifier South Africa to wrap up the top spot in Group B with a perfect three wins in three matches.

Before the game ever reached halftime the result was already decided. Three goals from the vaunted German attack in the first 40 minutes meant the favorites could enjoy its second half on the way to a record seventh group victory. For South Africa, its debut tournament started like a dream, taking a lead on Spain in its first match but everything came undone from that point on. They leave France disappointed, but with a bright future ahead of them.

Germany will now rest up for the knockout stages, where they will begin play in the Round of 16 with a meeting against the third place team from Group A, Group C, or Group D. South Africa ends their debut tournament with a last place finish in Group B and is eliminated.

Goals

  • Melanie Leupolz | GER (14′)
  • Sara Däebritz | GER (29′)
  • Alexandra Popp | GER (40′)
  • Lina Magull | GER (58′)

Highlights

Nigeria 0-1 France

Coming into Monday’s final group match, France was already locked into the Round of 16 and would have needed a catastrophic collapse to miss out on winning Group A. Even with their comfortable position, France pushed all match long to grab a victory against Nigeria and were rewarded in the end, albeit with some controversy.

Chance after chance went by the wayside for France and it looked like Nigeria was going to steal a point and join the hosts in the Round of 16 as the third place side from Group A. Then in 75th minute, after a VAR review, Ngozi Ebere earned a red card for a tackle in the box and France went to the penalty spot. Wendie Renard missed her initial shot but another VAR sequence revealed the Nigerian keeper left her line early and a re-kick was awarded. Renard scored on her second attempt and France held off 10-player Nigeria for the remaining time to seal the victory.

As winners of Group A, France moves on to the Round of 16 where they will meet up with the third place finisher of either Group C, Group D, or Group E. For Nigeria, they finish third in Group A with three points, but will have to wait for the rest of Matchday 3 to play out to see if they will qualify for the Round of 16.

Goals

  • Wendie Renard | FRA (79′ PEN)

Highlights

South Korea 1-2 Norway

Norway had an outside shot to win Group A entering Matchday 3, but they will have settle for second place after beating South Korea and seeing France defeat Nigeria. This marks the seventh time Norway has advanced to the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup in eight tournaments.

The scoring started early for Norway when they were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes and Caroline Hansen converted from the spot to take a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute. A second penalty in the second half off the foot of Isabell Herlovsen doubled the Norway lead and turned into the game winning goal when South Korea pulled one back late. This will be seen as a lost tournament for South Korea, who exit France with zero points and a last place finish in Group A. They almost left with no goals, but Yeo Minji scored in the 78th minute to save some face for her side.

Locked in to second place in Group A, Norway will now move on to the Round of 16 to face the runner-up side from Group C. That means they will face one of Italy, Brazil, or Australia. South Korea is eliminated from the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Goals

  • Caroline Graham Hansen | NOR (5′ PEN)
  • Isabell Herlovsen | NOR (50′ PEN)
  • Yeo Minji | KOR (78′)

Highlights

Plays of the Day

Not much in the way of great goals on Monday, but Chinese goalkeeper Shimeng Ping put on a show all herself to force a draw with Spain and secure a spot in the Round of 16 for her squad.

Shimeng Peng (China)

Group Update

Group A and B have completed their Matchday 3 schedules at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Here’s how the group standings finished up.

Screen Shot 2019-06-17 at 5.36.22 PM.png

No surprise that France and Norway grab the automatic advancement slots in Group A. They were the two most talented sides in the group and it showed over the three matchdays. Nigeria can still advance as a third place side but they must wait and see. South Korea heads home with a thud.

Screen Shot 2019-06-17 at 5.36.34 PM.png

Germany stay unbeaten in group play since 1995 and claim a record seventh group stage victory, topping Group B. Spain gets the draw with China to advance as runner-up while China does enough to move on in third place. Debutants South Africa made some noise but ultimately the group was just too difficult.

Advancing to knockout rounds: France (A), Norway (A), Germany (B), Spain (B), China (B), Italy (C), England (D), Japan (D), Netherlands (E), Canada (E), Sweden (F), United States (F)

Third Place Standings

Here’s a quick look at the third place standings:

Screen Shot 2019-06-17 at 9.02.18 PM

China is guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16 while Nigeria has to wait for the rest of Matchday 3 to play out to see if they advance as well.

Knockout Bracket

Here’s how the knockout round bracket is shaping up after Monday’s matches:

Screen Shot 2019-06-17 at 9.00.34 PM

Here’s What’s Next: Tuesday, June 18th

Group C returns to action with a pair of matches on Tuesday that will wrap up its group stage slate at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Italy has already clinched a spot in the Round of 16, but all four teams have something to play on this final matchday.

Jamaica v. Australia (Group C)

Jamaica is still searching for its first ever World Cup goal, let alone win, while Australia is still in contention to win the group if they can take care of business and get some help from the other game. Either way, the Aussies are in great position to advance even as the third place team.

  • Time: 3:00 PM
  • Location: Stade des Alpes (Grenoble)
  • How to Watch: FS2

Italy v. Brazil (Group C)

It’s been a dream return to the Women’s World Cup for Italy and their task on Tuesday is pretty straight forward, win or draw against Brazil and you win Group C. Sitting on a goal differential of +6, even losing to Brazil could still see them win the group if they keep the damage to a minimum. For Brazil, winning is crucial with Australia playing Jamaica. A loss or draw combined with a Aussie win will see Brazil fall to third place in the group an a much tougher Round of 16 opponent..

  • Time: 3:00 PM
  • Location: Stade du Hainaut (Valenciennes)
  • How to Watch: FS1

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.

Advancement Scenarios

Here are all the advancement scenarios for teams in Group C playing on Tuesday.

Group C

Italy: Already qualified for Round of 16. Can win Group C with win or draw against Brazil. Can still win Group C with a loss because of superior goal differential.

Brazil: Can advance with win against Italy. Could still win Group C with win and erasing inferior goal differential with Italy. Would likely advance with draw.

Australia: Can advance with win against Jamaica. Would likely advance with draw.

South Korea: Must defeat Australia and get a lot of help.

Golden Boot Standings

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

Screen Shot 2019-06-17 at 8.46.19 PM.png
via FIFA.com

Wendie Renard climbs a few spots to No. 5 with her penalty kick goal against Nigeria. Rest of the Top 10 remains the same after Monday’s matches.

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.