The second set of Group matches are over. We’ve had a couple of shocks, plenty of top goals and a few controversial decisions.
Group A
France 2-1 Norway
France secured their place in the next round with a 2-1 win over Norway. The first half was a tight affair, with each side trading waves of pressure. But the hosts hit early in the second period, when Valerie Gauvin snuck in behind the defence to turn home. Norway got themselves back into the game when a bad misjudgement from Wendie Renard saw her put a cross into the back of her own net. It was a controversial moment that won it for France when VAR awarded them a penalty. Ingrid Syrstad Engen was judged to have fouled Marion Torrent and Eugenie Le Sommer stepped up to dispatch the spot kick. Norway now need a result in their game against Korea Republic to ensure progression.
Nigeria 2-0 Korea Republic
There was disaster for Korea Republic when Kim Doyeon stuck out a leg in the 29th minute to turn a long ball into the back of her own net. Despite this, they rallied and produced several chances, having a goal from Lee Geuminn ruled out for offside. Nigeria sealed the three points through the pace and strength of Asisat Oshoala. The forward burst through the defence to slide an angled effort home.
The final round of Group A games takes place on Monday 17th June at 20:00 BST – Nigeria vs France on BBC Four and South Korea vs Norway on BBC Red Button.
Group B
Germany 1-0 Spain
Despite Spain controlling the ball, Germany squeaked through for the win in Valenciennes. Spain’s dominance though was equal to their failure to take their chances. They paid the price when a defensive error saw captain, Marta Torrejon, hesitate at the near post. Sara Daebritz pounced to stab it home.
South Africa 0-1 China PR
A dominant China performance saw them seal their first win of the tournament over South Africa. Their winner came through a lovely finish from Li Ying to turn a cross home. The South African keeper, Kaylin Swart, came up with some big saves to keep the score tight for Banyana Banyana.
A win for China or Spain will see either of them progress to the Round of 16. The final round of Group B games take place on Monday 17th June at 17:00 BST – China PR vs Spain on BBC Sport online and Germany vs South Africa on BBC Red Button.
Group C
Australia 3-2 Brazil
Without question, this was the game of the Group stages so far. After VAR ruled out an Australian penalty shout, the referee awarded Brazil one when she adjudged Elise Kellond-Knight to have fouled Leticia Santos. Marta stepped up and went into the record books for scoring in five World Cups. Brazil doubled their lead through a fine team move that ended with a towering header from Cristiane. Australia were in trouble, but they gave themselves a lifeline just before the break when Caitlin Foord poked the ball in at the far post. They came out in the second half with renewed energy and levelled the scored with half an hour to go when Chloe Logarzo’s bouncing effort ended up in the goal. The winner came in controversial circumstances when Monica headed into her own net. The flag went up for offside against Sam Kerr but after a VAR review, the referee changed her mind and awarded Australia the winner.
Jamaica 0-5 Italy
Italy are enjoying a fine World Cup and, after their late win over Australia, earned a 5-0 victory over Jamaica to ensure progression to the Round of 16. They took the lead in the 11th minute through a spot kick from Cristiana Girelli after a foul by Allyson Swaby. Sydney Schneider, the Jamaican goalkeeper, made a good stop but was pulled up for coming off her line and Girelli put it away at the second opportunity. Girelli ended up with a hat-trick – heading a corner in for her second before beating Schneider in the air just after the break to score her third. It was than Aurora Galli’s turn to get in on the action when she added two further goals. Her first was a rocket of a strike before she broke through the defence in the 81st minute to round the keeper and send it home.
Group C is the tightest of groups with Italy, Brazil and Australia all feasibly able to finish on 6 points. The final round of group games takes place on Tuesday 18th June at 20:00 BST – Jamaica vs Australia on BBC Red Button and Italy vs Brazil on BBC Four.
Group D
Japan 2-1 Scotland
Scotland once again paid for a poor first half and found themselves 2-0 down at the break for the second game in a row. The stellar Mana Iwabuchi gave her side the lead when she found some space just outside the box. Scotland keeper, Lee Alexander, was unsighted by Jen Beattie and the strike dipped over her head. Japan then doubled their lead when Rachel Corsie was penalised for the slightest of touches on Yuika Sugasawa. The striker picked herself up to convert the spot kick. The Scots improved after the break and will feel hard done by when a clear hand-ball in the area was not penalised. Erin Cuthbert also hit the post. They got their goal with two minutes left to play when Lana Clelland pounced on a defensive error to score her first World Cup goal from distance, but it was too late.
England 1-0 Argentina
Jodie Taylor’s 62nd minute goal proved the winner as England eventually broke down a resolute Argentinian side. England were dominant but could not make their chances count and were thwarted by a superb performance from Argentina’s keeper, Vanina Correa. She saved a first half penalty from Nikita Parris before denying Beth Mead, Parris and Jill Scott in open play. The only goal was scored from a top counter-attacking mover. Scott broke at pace through the middle and found Mead out on the right side. Her pinpoint cross put the ball on a plate for Taylor to stab home.
England and Japan have already secured progression but a result for the Lionesses will see them finish top. Scotland have to beat Argentina to have a chance at going through in 3rd place. The final round of Group D games takes place on Wednesday 19th June at 20:00 BST – Japan vs England on BBC One and Scotland vs Italy on BBC Four/BBC Alba.
Group E
Netherlands 3-1 Cameroon
Vivianne Miedema broke the Dutch all-time scoring record at the age of 22 with a brace in front of huge support in Valenciennes. Cameroon had their chances, but Holland got the break-through in the 41st minute when Miedema headed home a perfect cross from Shanice Van de Sanden. The score was level almost immediately, however, when Aboudi Onguene broke through and beat Van Veenendaal to the ball. Just after the break, the Netherlands re-took the lead when Dominique Bloodworth pounced on a defensive error to hammer home from 8 yards. And with five minutes left to play, Miedema ensured the victory and progression with a fine finish from inside the box.
Canada 2-0 New Zealand
Canada secured their spot in the Round of 16 with a good win over New Zealand. They took the lead just after the break when Nichelle Prince found Jessie Fleming in space in the box to drive home. The Ferns’ goalkeeper, Erin Nayler, made some fine saves to keep her side in it but the Canadians sealed the victory in the 79th minute. After Christine Sinclair’s header hit the post and left the defence stranded, Prince got there first to turn in the re-bound.
The final round of Group E games takes place on Thursday 19th June at 17:00 BST – Cameroon vs New Zealand on BBC Red Button and Netherlands vs Canada on BBC Sport Online.
Group F
Sweden 5-1 Thailand
Sweden earned a comfortable win over an improved Thai side in Nice. Lina Sembrant rose high in the box to head her side into the lead in the 6th minute. Kosovare Asllani then doubled the score when she turned home the ball at the far post despite a good initial save from Waraporn Boonsing. And they made it three just before the break through a powerful swerving effort from Fridolina Rolfo. Thailand shored up their defence in the second half and kept Sweden at bay until the 81st minute when Lina Hurtig hurtled in to head home. But the moment of the tournament so far came when Thailand’s speedy captain, Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, broke through to fire home their first goal of this World Cup. A late penalty from Elin Rubensson saw Sweden restore the gap and progress to the Round of 16.
USA 3-0 Chile
Three first half goals sealed a comfortable win for the USA. Carli Lloyd’s lifted effort gave them the lead in the 11th minute, meaning she has now scored in her 6th consecutive World Cup game. Julie Ertz then doubled the score with a fine header at the near post before Lloyd headed home another corner. Lloyd had a chance at a hat-trick but put a spot kick wide in the second half. But for a world class performance from Chilean goalkeeper, Christiane Endler, the score would have been much bigger.
The USA and Sweden are both in the Round of 16 and will jostle it out for 1st and 2nd spot. The final round of Group F games takes place on Thursday 19th June at 20:00 BST – Sweden vs USA on BBC Four and Thailand vs Chile on BBC Red Button.
You can watch all the highlights here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQGawByKgE&list=PLCGIzmTE4d0ic-x5M9c0C1MvQla301_zo
