2023 Women’s World Cup: Ranking every team in the round of 16

The 2023 Women’s World Cup knockout stage is about after some main shocks. Brazil exited the group stage for the primary time since 1995 as Jamaica reached the final 16 for the primary time, as did South Africa. Nigeria, in the meantime, certified for the spherical of 16 for the second straight match on the expense of Canada.

It’s secure to say that enlargement to 32 groups has been a powerful success. Three African sides, two from Asia, one South American nation and Jamaica being the second Concacaf group within the spherical of 16 presents a robust mixture of representatives.

But now that the knockout stage is upon us, questions are being requested about who must be favoured and who stands out as the “easy” draw among the many 16 groups.

Based on group-stage efficiency blended in with some analytics, here’s a definitive rating of the remaining 16 groups on the World Cup.

16. Jamaica

All the credit score on the earth goes to Jamaica for grinding out a 0-0 draw with Brazil to advance. Everyone revelled within the achievement and even coach Lorne Donaldson received swept up within the feelings.

It’s true that Jamaica hasn’t conceded a aim but, however the Reggae Girlz have been lucky to stroll away with attracts towards France and Brazil. They conceded 17 pictures on the right track and round 4.0 anticipated objectives (xG) in three video games. To prime it off, goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer is at the moment saving 2.4 objectives above anticipated.

All of this doesn’t appear sustainable, particularly when Jamaica is going through one of many World Cup’s hottest assaults in Colombia.

Offensively, 1.4 anticipated objectives (xG) by three video games is the second lowest among the many remaining groups, so advancing to the quarterfinals would possibly require one other monumental efficiency on the again.

15. Morocco

Credit Morocco for placing the 6-0 drubbing by Germany in its Group H opener behind them. Consecutive 1-0 wins over South Korea and Colombia secured a first-ever knockout stage berth for the No. 72-ranked nation at a Women’s World Cup.

The reward? A date with France within the spherical of 16.

Morocco enters that recreation with solely 16 pictures, by far the bottom among the many final 16 members. Only the Philippines (11) and Vietnam (10) generated fewer. That being stated, six have been on the right track, which led to top-of-the-line shots-on-target percentages on the World Cup.

But given how the primary match towards an elite nation turned out, Morocco will possible be underneath duress on this one.

14. South Africa

If there’s one assure, it’s that South Africa vs. the Netherlands will likely be entertaining. Banyana Banyana have been very proactive of their video games to the tune of 35 pictures and 4.3 xG — placing them twelfth in each classes.

Defensively, although, there’s been a payoff for that attacking prowess. No different nation has allowed larger high quality probabilities than South Africa (5.9 xG), which might be their downfall.

13. Switzerland

Luck has affected Switzerland at each ends of the pitch. On one hand, they’re unfortunate to not have greater than two objectives scored. On the opposite, holding three clear sheets could be a little bit of a mirage.

But one look on the pictures conceded map reveals that Switzerland haven’t given up many high-quality probabilities. That would possibly change towards Spain.

12. Colombia

It’s superb that Colombia gained Group H and certified for the spherical of 16 with relative ease. But on the price Las Cafeteras are ending at, it would dry out.

Colombia’s 1.3 non-penalty xG is the bottom output out of the 16 groups, though it boasts among the finest underlying numbers defensively. Plus, Linda Caicedo is a celebrity within the making and that’s all the time an enormous x-factor.

11. Nigeria

Nigeria is a tricky group to determine. The Super Falcons boast firepower with Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala, plus goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been one of many revelations of the match thus far.

All three will likely be integral towards England, who’re one of many favourites to win the World Cup. Nigeria is across the center of the pack in most metrics on either side of the ball, and primarily based on what it inflicted in its first two matches, the African giants are going to be a tough facet to handle.

10. Denmark

It’s fairly shocking that that is Denmark’s first World Cup look since 2007 as a result of on paper, it’s a squad with a good variety of gamers on elite golf equipment.

That hasn’t fairly translated on the pitch thus far, although. Even the 2-0 win over Haiti was a bit uninspiring, with a penalty closely boosting an in any other case mediocre attacking output.

Defensively, the group has been organized however whether or not that holds up towards Australia and the doubtless returning Sam Kerr stays to be seen.

9. Australia

Considering Australia hasn’t relied on Sam Kerr by three video games speaks volumes. Bringing her again into the fold will solely bolster the co-hosts’ probabilities of progressing additional within the match.

But the 4-0 win over a hapless Canadian squad apart, it hasn’t been easy crusing. Australia solely beat Ireland by way of a second-half penalty in a intently contested match and Nigeria dominated the flanks within the following recreation.

With Pernille Harder, Josephine Hasbo and Amalie Vansgaard on the opposite facet, this will likely be a correct litmus check for the Aussies, however the return of a celebrity ahead is the final word game-changer.

8. Norway

Offensively, few groups are as scary as Norway. Sophie Haug has been sensational with three objectives scored thus far, plus the squad is prime 5 in pictures and are on par with Sweden, the Netherlands and the U.S. in some xG classes.

Oh, and former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg remains to be gaining type.

Unfortunately, the Scandinavians are going up towards red-hot Japan within the spherical of 16. If any assault can bother the Japanese, although, it’s this one.

7. Sweden

The numbers could be inflated by the 5-0 win over Italy however Sweden is downright scary up entrance. About 36 per cent of their 42 pictures have hit the goal with superb ending charges. Defensively, they’ve barely given opponents a sniff with simply 1.4 xG conceded.

That could change towards the U.S. on Sunday. It’s true that the present champions haven’t been clicking, however the begin of the knockout stage could be the tonic they should acquire momentum.

Regardless, this must be a captivating recreation. Sweden dominated the earlier assembly on the Tokyo Olympics, successful 3-0. Will we see a repeat or will the Americans actual revenge?

6. Netherlands

If Lieke Martens isn’t the Dutch’s prime scorer, that’s an excellent signal. It implies that contributions are being unfold out for the Netherlands, and that’s been the case by the primary three video games. The Vietnam win possible helped.

However, within the one marquee match they performed towards the U.S., the Dutch solely produced 5 pictures and conceded 16. They ought to have the superior particular person expertise to eradicate South Africa, however the query is whether or not it’ll be sufficient towards different elite nations.

5. Spain

Clearly, the mass exile of Spanish gamers is coming again to hang-out them. The European runners-up have been merely dominated by Japan to the purpose the place their standing as a favorite is in query.

Should the Spanish make a deep run, they possible gained’t face an opponent of Japan’s calibre till the semifinals. But even a quarterfinal assembly towards the Dutch might show to be a impolite awakening.

4. United States

On paper, the U.S. remains to be top-of-the-line squads on the earth. The solely person who has held again the group thus far is coach Vlatko Andonovski.

Suffice it to say that Andonovski’s substitutions, or lack thereof, have been a serious speaking level. The indisputable fact that the U.S. isn’t among the many leaders in deep progressions, pictures, objectives, xG and different metrics can be a serious purple flag.

But with numerous gamers already proudly owning a World Cup winner’s medal and the person expertise to win video games on their very own, the Americans ought to nonetheless be among the many favourites.

3. France

France has reached the quarterfinals within the final three World Cups and that streak will possible proceed because it takes on Morocco.

The path to the ultimate will turn out to be harder after the spherical of 16, however France has the expertise and expertise to make a run.

Add in the truth that there’ve been six completely different goal-scorers for the French and it highlights their a number of threats. Defensively, although, there could be issues after conceding three objectives to Panama.

2. England

It feels unusual to fit in England at No. 2 as a result of the European champions are going through one main concern: the standing of midfielder Keira Walsh.

Walsh averted an ACL damage within the win over Denmark, however there’s nonetheless no indication that she’ll play any future position on the World Cup.

It hasn’t slowed down England considerably, however dropping an influential midfielder — even in a loaded squad like this — might have lasting ramifications. If Walsh returns, then the Lionesses’ standing as a favorite will likely be closely bolstered.

1. Japan

No group has been extra enjoyable to look at or as ruthless as Japan. Crushing Spain 4-0 solely solidified the assumption that this has been the most effective group on the World Cup by the group stage.

The final time Japan didn’t concede a aim within the group stage was 2015 after they reached the ultimate earlier than dropping to the U.S. It seems that one other run might be within the works.

More from Sportsnet

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