The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has been memorable, with many teams and players making their first tournament debuts. This week will see the group stages rounding off and the final 16 teams progress in the competition.
Here is where teams stand after day two (July 31) of the final group stages:
Group A:
- Switzerland
- Norway
- New Zealand
- Philippines
The first group stage finals, Group A, kicked off on July 30 with performances between Switzerland vs New Zealand and Norway vs the Philippines.
New Zealand (in their draw against Switzerland) became the first ever host nation to be eliminated in the group stage of a Women's World Cup. New Zealand ended with the same amount of points as number two in the group, Norway, but they had a much lower goal differential, knocking them out.
Norway’s 6-0 win over the Philippines, with Sophie Román Haug clutching a hat trick with her third goal in the 95th minute, sent them to the knockout stage .
Switzerland and Norway advance, with Switzerland being the group leader with five points (tie, tie, win) and Norway in second with four points (win, tie, loss).
The Philippines ended with three points (two losses and a win), and New Zealand ended with four points (tie, loss and win).
Day two of group stage finals kicked off this morning at 8 am IST with Group C and 11 am IST with Group B.
Finishing 🔝 of Group A! 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/WLG9JNhPWk
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 30, 2023
Group C:
- Japan
- Spain
- Zambia
- Costa Rica
In Group C, Japan and Spain both advance despite that Japan defeated Spain by a hefty 4-0, as they were the first two leaders in the group, despite Spain's loss.
Zambia and Costa Rica had already failed to advance after losing their first two games, but Zambia earned their first World Cup points defeating Costa Rica by 3-1.
Japan finished the group with nine points (win, win, win), Spain with six points (win, win, loss), Zambia with three points (loss, loss, win), and Costa Rica with zero points (three losses)
🇯🇵 Clinical. Ruthless. Brilliant.
With 23% possession, Japan stunned Spain 4-0 with a Hinata Miyazawa masterclass. 🔥
With two goals and an assist, she fired herself to the front of the Golden Boot race 🏃🏻♀️💨
A sensational #SpotlightOfTheDay winner. 👏@budweiser | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/4LGR2JlC7P— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 31, 2023
Group B:
- Australia
- Nigeria
- Canada
- Republic of Ireland
The long awaited Group B final kicked off at 11am with two very highly anticipated games of Nigeria vs Ireland and Canada vs Australia.
Because Australia had beaten Ireland, but lost to Nigeria, and Canada had beaten Ireland but tied Nigeria, in order to advance, Nigeria had to draw or win, Australia had to win to advance, and Canada had to win to advance.
In a shocking 4-0 loss, the Tokyo Olympic Champions, Canada, were knocked out, sending Co-host, Australia, to the Round of 16.
The Canadian women’s team has also been fighting for equal treatment between the men's and women’s team, despite recently winning Olympic Gold.
Not advancing past the group stage, and with a devastating 4-0 loss, could potentially cause further issues for the Canadian Women's National team.
Nigeria played Ireland, who had lost both previous games and had no chance to advance. In a close and competitive match, Nigeria and Ireland ended in a tie, leaving Ireland with their first World Cup point ever, and advancing Nigeria on to the round of the 16th.
Australia ended the round in first with six points (win, loss, win). Nigeria, in second ended with five points (tie, win, tie). Canada ended with four points (tie, win, loss), and Ireland ended with one point (two losses, and a tie).
🥇 @TheMatildas
🥈 @NGSuper_Falcons
Australia finish 🔝 of a #FIFAWWC group for the first time, and Nigeria are back in the knockouts! 💪— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 31, 2023
So what does this mean?
The top two teams in every group, groups A-H, make it through to the next round in the tournament, going through to the elimination stage, the Round of 16. With the results in group matches A, B and C, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Japan and Spain will be the teams moving on.
The Round of 16 begins Saturday, August 5, with the the first two games being Switzerland v Spain at 6 am IST and Japan v Norway at 9 am IST.
