Zac Electrifly

Japan vs Spain

Japan played Spain. It was a Group C match. Both teams had already secured advancement to the Round of 16. The winner of this game was going to win the group. If the game ended in a draw Spain would win the group. Japan scored the opening goal in the 12′ minute. #7 Hinata Miyazawa scored the goal. Japan put the ball behind the Spain defenders and beat them to the ball where it was shot in. Japan scored their second goal in the 29′ minute. That goal was scored by #9 Riko Ueki. Japan put the ball into an open area again where she got the ball and carried it into the box. She got around a spin defender and scored. Japan put the game away with their third goal in the 40′ minute. Their third goal was scored by #7 Hinata Miyazawa. It was her second goal of the game. She was able to get a pass behind a couple of Spain defenders. She was able to get a shot off in box and score. Spain got a yellow card in the 45+1′ minute.

Japan added to their lead in the 82′ minute with a goal from #11 Mina Tanaka. She kept the ball from going out of bounds. Ran thirty yards into the box and scored. Spain got a yellow card in the 89′ minute. The final score was 4-0 Japan.

Big upset for Japan here. Spain was favored to win the game and the group but Japan had other plans. With this result Japan put an exclamation point on winning Group C. Both teams will still be advancing to the Round of 16 despite this result.

Costa Rica vs Zambia

Costa Rica played Zambia in the final Group C match of the group stage. This game did take place at the same time as the Japan against Spain match. They had both already been eliminated. This was be the final FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 game for both teams. Zambia scored the first goal of the game 3′ minutes into the match. #3 Lushomo Mweemba scored the goal. The goal came from a corner kick to the left of the keeper. The ball was crossed and deflected in. This was Zambia’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal and lead. Costa Rica got a yellow card in the 6′ minute. Costa Rica got another yellow card in the 21′ minute. Costa Rica followed that up with another yellow card in the 23′ minute. Zambia scored their second goal in the 21′ minute. Their second goal came from #11 Barbra Banda. Zambia was awarded a penalty kick and scored. Zambia got a yellow card in the 40′ minute. After an eventful first half, Zambia had a 2-0 lead.

Costa Rica scored in the 47′ minute to bring the gap back to one goal. Their goal was scored by #7 Daphne Melissa Herrera Monge. The goal was scored on a corner kick to the left of the keeper. The ball was crossed in and the initial header went wide of the net but stayed in play. The Zambia keeper and one of the Costa Rica players went for the ball at the same time. The Zambia keeper couldn’t get control of the ball. It bounced in front and Daphne Melissa Herrera Monge tapped it into the net. In the 55′ minute Costa Rica almost got a penalty but VAR (review) ruled it was not a penalty. Zambia got a yellow card in the 66′ minute. Zambia scored the games final goal in the 90+3′ minute. The goal was scored by #17 Racheal Kundananji. Wide open in the box she got the ball and scored. The final score was 3-1 Zambia.

This was Zambia’s first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win. They showed up ready to play and outplayed Costa Rica in what ended up being a very eventful match. Despite this result neither team will be moving on. Zambia goes out with a bang.

Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria

The Republic of Ireland played Nigeria. It was a Group B match. The Republic of Ireland had already been eliminated going into this match. If Nigeria won or the game ended in a draw they would move on. If Nigeria lost and Australia beat Canada, it was going to come down to tie breakers between Nigeria and Canada. If Canada beat Australia, Nigeria would advance. Neither team scored in the first half. At halftime the score was 0-0. In the 68′ minute the Republic of Ireland got a yellow card. The final score was a 0-0 draw.

This was the fifth game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 where neither team scored. It was also the thirtieth game where at least one team did not score. It is also the second game where Nigeria didn’t score and the second game they drew 0-0. It is also the second game were the Republic of Ireland didn’t score. The Republic of Ireland finishes their tournament having only scored one goal. With this result Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16.

Canada vs Australia

Canada played Australia in the final group stage game for Group B. This game was played at the same time as the Republic of Ireland against Nigeria game. The winning team was going to advance to the Round of 16. If the game ended in a draw Canada was going to advance with Australia possibly tying Nigeria. If Canada lost they might have tie with Nigeria. If Australia lost they were going to be eliminated.

Australia scored their first goal in the 9′ minute. Their first goal was scored by #16 Hayley Raso. The ball was crossed into the box where it bounced around before Hayley Raso got it. She took a shot and scored. The goal did go to VAR (review) but in the end was ruled a goal. in the 37′ minute an Australia goal was called back after VAR (review). Australia scored their second goal in the 39′ minute. That goal was scored by #16 Hayley Raso. It was her second goal of the game. A cross from the right of the keeper ended up bouncing around in the box and going in. Australia lead the game 2-0 at halftime.

Australia put the game out of Canadas reach in the 58′ minute. #11 Mary Fowler scored the goal. The ball was taken into the box where it was center. Mary Fowler was wide open and scored. Australia got a yellow card in the 68′ minute. They got another yellow card in the 81′ minute. Australia was awarded a penalty kick in the 90+2′ minute after VAR (review). #7 Stephanie Catley scored on the penalty kick. The final score was 4-0 Australia.

Australia came out to win it. They had a purpose and a drive. They wanted to advance. They wanted it more than Canada. Canada didn’t really show up for this match. They were dominated and are going home. With the result of this match Australia won Group B. Nigeria came in second in Group B and will be moving on to the Round of 16. Canada are now eliminated. The Republic of Ireland was already eliminated.

Switzerland won Group A. Australia won Group B. Japan won Group C. England leads Group D. The United States lead Group E. France lead Group F. Sweden lead Group G. Colombia lead Group H.

Japan, Spain, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Colombia, Australia, and Nigeria are advancing to the Round of 16. Costa Rica, Zambia, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Panama, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Canada have been eliminated in the group stage.

Vietnam are playing the Netherlands. This is the last group stage game for both teams. The Netherlands are heavily favored to win to the point where this game should be a blowout. Vietnam have already been eliminated. If the Netherlands win or daw they will move on to the Round of 16. If the Netherlands lose and the United States beats Portugal, the Netherlands will advance. If the Netherlands lose and Portugal beast the United States, the Netherlands it will come down to tie breakers.

The United States are playing Portugal in the final Group E match of the group stage. I will have a preview for this out later today. The United States are heavily favored to win this game. If the United states win they will win Group E. If Portugal win they will advance. If the United State lose and the Netherlands win or draw, the United States will be eliminated. If the United States lose and the Netherlands lose, it will come down to tiebreakers. If Portugal lose they will be eliminated. If the game ends in a draw the United States will advance and Portugal could end up tying with the Netherlands.

China is playing England. England is favored to win that game. If China wins and Denmark loses, China will advance. If China wins and Denmark wins, it will come down to tie breakers between England, Denmark, and China. If China loses they will be eliminated. If England wins or draws they will advance. If England loses and Denmark loses, England will advance. If England loses and Denmark wins, it will come down to tie breakers between, England, Denmark, and China. If the game ends in a draw and Denmark loses, China will advance. If the game ends in a draw and Denmark wins China will be eliminated.

Haiti is playing Denmark in the final Group D match. This game will be played at the same time England is playing China. Denmark is heavily favored to win. If Haiti wins and England wins, it will come down to tie breakers between Denmark, China, and Haiti. If Haiti lose or draw they will be eliminated. If Denmark win and China win it will come down to tie breakers between England, Denmark, and China. If Denmark win and England wins, Denmark will advance. If the game ends in a draw and China wins, Denmark will be eliminated. If the game ends in a draw and England Wins Denmark will advance.

Switzerland are going to play Spain. Japan are going to play Norway. Australia are waiting on the Group D results. Nigeria are also waiting on the Group D results.