The group stage of this Girls’s World Cup is formally over, and with it, any forgiveness out there for the groups left. From right here on out, every loss means gamers can be headed dwelling, and there aren’t any extra attracts — penalty shootouts will resolve video games if mandatory. In a match stuffed with surprises, that assures that they may proceed.
Probably the most susceptible contender on Saturday’s schedule must be Norway. The Norwegians barely made it out of a chaotic group, and their star, Ada Hegerberg, continues to be uncertain with a groin harm. Norway is about to face Japan, a longtime worldwide expertise that many appeared to underestimate heading into this World Cup.
Spain, which performs Saturday’s first sport, and the Netherlands, which opens Sunday’s schedule (Saturday night time Japanese time) can be trying to maintain off their opponents or be part of the ranks of Germany, Canada and Brazil: worldwide powerhouses that didn’t carry out to their expectations and headed dwelling early.
Switzerland vs. Spain
Switzerland gained a gaggle that eradicated one of many match’s host nations, New Zealand, and featured a minimum of two main upsets. Not unhealthy for a crew that didn’t qualify for the 2019 World Cup. However now, the Swiss should face Spain — a prime contender for the title that was really performing like a prime contender, decisively beating Costa Rica and Zambia, earlier than stumbling in a rout to Japan, 4-0. The Spaniards now must reply, and a win over Switzerland would obtain Spain’s aim of advancing deep into this match. They’re off to a very good begin: Spain took a 4-1 halftime lead, and has one foot within the quarterfinals already.
Japan vs. Norway
Norway was in hassle. The Norwegians, fighting 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 via to the spherical of 16. That end result lastly made Norway appear like the crew it thought it was heading into this match, one with aspirations of lifting the trophy. Now, something continues to be doable — together with going dwelling. Elimination can be all of the extra doable if Hegerberg, Norway’s star striker, nonetheless can’t play.
Japan emerged rolled via Group C with out surrendering a aim. The message was clear: This is likely one of 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 crew to beat once more.
Netherlands vs. South Africa
The Netherlands gained Group E and was rewarded with avoiding Sweden within the first knockout match. As a substitute, the Dutch will face South Africa on Sunday in Sydney (10 p.m. Japanese time on Saturday night time). 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 to date, to Sweden, 2-1, and are led by striker Thembi Kgatlana, who has already scored two objectives on this World Cup.