Spain Pounces on Switzerland to Grab Quarterfinal Spot
The group stage of this Women’s World Cup is formally over, and with it, any forgiveness obtainable for the groups left. From right here on out, every loss means gamers shall be headed house, and there aren’t any extra attracts — penalty shootouts will determine video games if obligatory. In a match filled with surprises, that assures that they may proceed.
Japan vs. Norway
Norway was in bother. The Norwegians, combating accidents and sniping about their coach, had been knocking on the door of an early exit from this World Cup till their rout of the Philippines, 6-0, which noticed them by to the spherical of 16. That outcome lastly made Norway seem like the group it thought it was heading into this match, one with aspirations of lifting the trophy.
Now, something remains to be attainable — together with going house. Elimination shall be all of the extra attainable if Ada Hegerberg, Norway’s star striker, nonetheless can’t play as she recovers from a groin damage. She will not be in Norway’s beginning lineup however is listed instead.
Japan rolled by Group C with out surrendering a aim. The message was clear: This is among the most harmful groups left within the match. Underestimated after a stretch of middling play after it gained the 2011 World Cup, Japan is displaying itself to be a group to beat once more.
Netherlands vs. South Africa
The Netherlands gained Group E and was rewarded with avoiding Sweden within the first knockout match. Instead, the Dutch will face South Africa on Sunday in Sydney (10 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday evening). South Africa topped Italy, 3-2, within the 92nd minute to safe a spot within the spherical of 16. The South Africans are to not be underestimated — they’ve misplaced just one match up to now, to Sweden, 2-1, and are led by striker Thembi Kgatlana, who has already scored two objectives on this World Cup.
