Zac Electrifly

Switzerland vs Spain

Switzerland played Spain. Switzerland won Group A. Spain came in second in Group C. This was the second time Switzerland made it to the Round of 16. This is also the second time Spain has made it to the Round of 16. Spain took the lead in the 5′ minute with a goal from #6 Aitana Bonmati. The ball was crossed into the box. One of the Spain headed it towards the net but was kept out. Spain got the rebound and was able to get a shot off that went in. Switzerland tied the game in the 11′ minute with an own goal from Spain. The pass back to the goal keeper missed and the keeper was out of position. The ball ended up in the back of the net. Spain regained the lead in the 17′ minute. #17 Alba Redondo scored the goal. The ball was crossed into the box and bounced around before being headed in. Spain took a two goal lead in the 36′ minute with another goal from #6 Aitana Bonmati. After a crossed ball she got the ball in the box and was able to create the space to score. Spain added to their lead in the 45′ minute with a goal from #14 Laia Codina. The ball came in on a corner kick where it bounced around before she was able to shoot it and score. Spain had a commanding 4-1 lead at halftime.

#10 Jennifer Hermoso scored for Spain in the 70′ minute. She got the ball in the box with plenty of time to shoot and score. Switzerland got a yellow card in the 73′ minute. The final score was 5-1 Spain.

Spain was in control of this game with majority of the possession. They also had a lot of shots. The offense wasn’t really there for Switzerland. Only two shots. Their only goal was from an own goal from Spain. With that result Spain moves on to the Quarterfinals for the first time. Spain will play the winner of the Netherlands and South Africa game. Switzerland is eliminated. This was their second FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their first one was in 2015. In both they have been eliminated in the Round of 16.

Japan vs Norway

Japan played Norway. Japan won Group C. Norway came in second in Group A. This was the fifth time Japan had made it to the Round of 16. In 2019 they were eliminated in the Round of 16. This was the Eighth time Norway had made it to the Round of 16. Japan took the lead in the 15′ minute with an own goal from Norway. This marks the second match in a row with an own goal. The ball was crossed into the box and deflected into the net by a Norway defender who was trying to clear the ball. That has happened a lot in this tournament. Norway tied the game in the 20′ minute with a goal from #11 Guro Reiten. The ball was crossed into the box and headed in. At halftime the score was tied at 1-1.

Japan took the lead in the 50′ minute with a goal from #2 Risa Shimizu. She intercepted a pass by Norway in their own box and scored. Japan put the game out of reach for Norway with a goal in the 81′ minute from #7 Hinata Miyazawa. The ball was put behind the Norway defense. She outran them to get to the ball and her shot went in. The final score was 3-1 Japan.

It was a solid performance from Japan in a tight game. With that result Japan are moving on to the Quarterfinals. This is the first time since 2015 that they have advanced past the Round of 16. Japan will play either Sweden or the United States next. Norway have been eliminated. This is only the second time they have been sent home in the Round of 16. The last time was in 2015.

Switzerland won Group A. Australia won Group B. Japan won Group C. England won Group D. The Netherlands won Group E. France won Group F. Sweden won Group G. Colombia won Group H.

Japan, Spain, England, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Colombia, Australia, Nigeria, the Netherlands, the United States, Denmark, South Africa, France, Jamaica, and Morocco advanced to the Round of 16.

Costa Rica, Zambia, the Republic of Ireland, Vietnam, Panama, New Zealand, the Philippines, Canada, Portugal, China, Haiti, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Germany, and the Korea Republic were eliminated in the group stage.

The Group E winner Netherlands will take on South Africa. This is the third time in a row that the Netherlands have made it to the Round of 16. They were the runners up in 2019. This is the first time South Africa has advanced to the Round of 16. This is only their second FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Netherlands are favored to win this game to the point where it should be a blowout.

The Group G winner Sweden is taking on the back to back defending champion United States. I do have a full game preview for this coming out later today. This is Sweden’s eighth Round of 16 match. The only time they did not make it past the group stage was in 2007 and they have qualified for every FIFA Women’s World Cup. This will be the ninth Round of 16 match for the United States. The United States has finished in at least third place at ever FIFA Women’s World Cup winning it it 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019. The have also made it to the last three championship games.

Spain and Japan are on to the Quarterfinals. Spain will play the Netherlands or South Africa. Japan will play Sweden or the United States.

Switzerland and Norway have been eliminated in the Round of 16.

The Netherlands are playing South Africa. Sweden are playing the United States. Australia are playing Denmark. France are playing Morocco. England are playing Nigeria. Jamaica are playing Colombia.