Zac Electrifly

United States vs Netherlands

The United States played the Netherlands. It was a Group E match. Go check out my review of that game if you have not. The Netherlands scored in the first half. The United States tied the game in the second half. The United States scored again but the goal was called back. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

It is not a terrible result necessarily. Both teams will have one more match. The United States will have to at least draw to move on. The United States needs to tighten up still on passing. several times it looked like the United States were not on the same page. If they could find the back of the net more that would be great.

Portugal vs Vietnam

Portugal played Vietnam. It was another Group E match. Portugal scored the first goal 7′ minutes into the game. #23 Telma Encarnacao scored the goal. The ball was crossed into the box. Multiple Portugal players were all alone and it was put in the net. Portugal scored again in the 21′ minute. That goal came from #20 Francisca Nazareth. Portugal got around the Vietnam defense and scored again. On that play it did not look like Vietnam could keep up. At halftime it was 2-0 Portugal. Portugal got a yellow card in the 86′ minute. The final score was 2-0 Portugal.

Portugal was too much for Vietnam to handle. They were bigger, stronger, and faster. The Vietnam defense was awful. In the end it was the expected result.

Australia vs Nigeria

Australia played Nigeria. It was a Group B match. Nigeria got a yellow card in the 21′ minute. Australia scored in the 45+1′ minute. The goal was scored by #10 Emily Van Egmond. The ball was put into the middle of the box. The shot was taken and it was a goal. The Nigeria defenders let her have all kinds of time and space to shoot. Australia would get a yellow card in the 45+3′ minute. Nigeria scored in the 45+6′ minute. That goal came from #12 Uchenna Kanu. The ball was crossed towards the center of the box. The Nigerian player shot it and scored. The score was tied at 1-1 at halftime.

Nigeria took the lead in the 65′ minute. #3 Osinachi Ohale scored the goal. The ball was sent in on a corner kick. It bounced around for a while before going in. Nigeria scored again in the 72′ minute. That goal was scored by #8 Asisat Oshoala. Australia gave it up in their own box with Nigeria having an open net to score on. Nigeria got a yellow card in the 73′ minute. Australia scored again in the 90+10′ minute. That goal was scored by #14 Alanna Kennedy. It was headed in from a corner kick. The final score was 3-2 Nigeria.

This was probably the most entertaining game so far of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Plenty of goals. Plenty of excitement. Lots of fun to watch.

Nigeria now lead Group B. The United States still lead Group E. Japan, and Spain are advancing to the Round of 16. Costa Rica, Zambia, the Republic of Ireland, and Vietnam have been eliminated in the group stage.

Argentina are playing South Africa. Both teams need at least a draw to keep their hopes of advancing alive. I think south Africa will win this one. England is playing Denmark. The winner of that game will advance. If it ends in a draw advancement is up in the air for both teams. I think England will win that game. China is playing Haiti. They both need at leas a draw to keep their hopes of advancing alive. I think China will win that game.