Women’s World Cup Day 5: Goals galore as Germany nets six, Brazil scores four
On Day 5 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Italy’s Cristiana Girelli, Germany’s Alexandra Popp, and Brazil’s Ary Borges emerged as heroes for his or her nations.
Girelli’s late header, a brace from Popp, and a hat trick from Borges opened up the Golden Boot race and demonstrated the standard of gamers this match gives.
However, it wasn’t all glory as Argentina and World Cup debutants Morocco and Panama didn’t make a splash. Nonetheless, this summer time’s showpiece is shaping as much as be a match to recollect.
THE RESULTS
GROUP G: Italy 1, Argentina 0 (in Auckland) – Game stats || Report
GROUP H: Germany 6, Morocco 0 (in Melbourne) – Game stats || Report
GROUP F: Brazil 4, Panama 0 (in Adelaide) – Game stats || Report
MAIN TALKING POINTS
Late Girelli header lifts Italy to victory
After a disastrous consequence finally summer time’s European Championship, Italy (No. 16) began their Women’s World Cup marketing campaign with a hard-fought win over Argentina (No. 28).
The South Americans had an unimaginable begin when Mariana Larroquette’s bicycle kick narrowly missed the online within the second minute of play. The first half drama continued when Italy’s Ariana Caruso and Valentina Giacinti each had objectives dominated offside.
The second half was simply as aggressive, nevertheless it was veteran striker Girelli who lifted Le Azzurre to victory. Auckland’s Eden Park’s crowd of 30,899 erupted in cheers because the 33-year-old’s 87th minute header earned Italy three factors of their match opener.
Girelli, who had solely entered the sport 4 minutes prior, turned the primary Italian participant to attain in two editions of the Women’s World Cup.
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‘No-nonsense’ Germany earn largest match win up to now
While match debutants Morocco (No. 72) gave it their all, they have been no match for the Germans. The juggernauts made fast work of their opponents and solidified their spot as one of many match favourites with a 6-0 win.
The two-time World Cup champions entered this summer time’s match ranked second. While Germany has many gamers who can rating objectives, Alexandra Popp’s first-half brace opened the floodgates.
From there, Germany maintained possession by means of a excessive press. They regarded elegant and compact as Kiara Bühl netted their third. After two own-goals from Morocco, Lea Schüller added a sixth within the ninetieth minute.
The win, which is the most important of the match up to now, continued Germany’s undefeated streak in opposition to African nations within the World Cup.
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Borges hat trick pummels Panama’s debut
Ary Borges scored a shocking hat trick because the Brazilians made a dominant begin to their World Cup marketing campaign.
The Seleçao instantly set the tone for the match with their forceful assault and skill to weave by means of Panama’s backline. While Borges’ objectives have been clearly necessary, the second of the match got here when she selflessly handed the ball again along with her heel to teammate Bia Zaneratto, who netted Brazil’s third within the forty eighth minute.
In the ultimate quarter-hour, Brazilian legend Marta stepped on the pitch to kick off her sixth World Cup, prompting cheers all through the 13,142 followers at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.
Despite the loss, Panama made a righteous debut and can look to reset earlier than their subsequent match in opposition to Jamaica on Saturday.
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MOMENT OF THE DAY
Twenty-five-year-old Moroccan defender Nouhalia Benzina made historical past by turning into the primary participant to put on a hijab on the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Atlas Lionesses, who made their match debut on Monday, additionally turned the primary Arab nation to qualify for the Cup.
Before Morocco took on Germany, Assmaah Helal, co-founder of the Muslim Women in Sports Network, spoke concerning the influence of Benzina’s hijab.
“Girls will look at Benzina [and think] that could be me,” he mentioned.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s always difficult because you don’t really know where you stand or how your opponent will play. But we were able to impose our game. To have this kind of atmosphere in a stadium like this, that’s what a World Cup is all about. It pushes you, the fans carry you. It’s so fun to play football like this.” — German captain Alexandra Popp.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Cristiana Girelli, Italy: In the 83rd minute, Girelli changed 16-year-old midfielder Giulia Dragoni and made an instantaneous influence. The veteran solely wanted 4 minutes to move the ball previous Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa. The late aim gave the Italians a hard-fought victory.
2. Alexandra Popp, Germany: Popp struck twice in Germany’s commanding win over Morocco. The 32-year-old, who was pressured to withdraw from the EURO 2022 last as a result of damage, used her precision and aerial presence to get the ball within the web.
3. Ary Borges, Brazil: The 23-year-old, who received the participant of the match, scored the primary hat trick of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her free-flowing attacking type and wonderful positioning helped the deadly scorer emerge as an early Golden Boot favorite.
LOOKING AHEAD
Group G continues as Columbia (No. 25) takes on Korea Republic (No. 17) in Sydney at 10 p.m. ET Monday night. Shortly after, New Zealand (No. 26), will face the Philippines (No. 46) in Wellington on Tuesday at 1:30 a.m. ET. To cap off Matchday 6, Switzerland (No. 20) challenges Norway (No. 12) at 4:00 a.m. ET from Hamilton.
