Nigerians eliminate Olympic champions in Irish standstill; 0-0
The result, coupled with Australia's win over Canada, meant the Super Falcons, the lowest-ranked side in Group B, qualified in second place at the expense of the Olympic champions.
The Irish were already knocked out after defeats by Australia and Canada but collected their first point at a World Cup in their final match of the tournament.
In a low-key encounter in Brisbane, the Nigerians came closest to making the breakthrough when Courtney Brosnan pushed Uchenna Kanu's header on to the crossbar with a stunning save.
Nigeria will face the winners of Group D in Brisbane, which could be England if they draw with or beat China on Tuesday.
Australia qualify on back of a-booting; Canada 0-4 Australia
Hayley Raso scored twice, Mary Fowler was also on target and Steph Catley netted a late penalty as the co-hosts impressed in a game they had to win to avoid elimination.
The Matildas finished top of Group B - and did so without Sam Kerr, an unused sub despite declaring herself fit.
Canada suffered their first Women's World Cup group-stage exit since 2011.
Nigeria's draw with the Republic of Ireland means Australia will go forward to face the runners-up in Group D - who could still be England - at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 7 August.
#77 ranked Zambia Cost-a Re-cord win; 3-1
Lushomo Mweemba opened the scoring for Zambia inside the first three minutes and Barbra Banda added a second from the spot midway through the first half.
Costa Rica's Melissa Herrera pulled a goal shortly after the break, but Racheal Kundananji completed the win, netting a third in injury time.
Both sides had already been eliminated after two matches.
Japan smash Spain to smithereens; 4-0
The 2011 world champions made it look easy by scoring three times before half-time, with Hinata Miyazawa getting two to take her tally to four goals and become the tournament's leading scorer.
The attacking midfielder put Japan ahead with a calm finish after Spain's defence had been exposed, before Riko Ueki doubled the lead with a deflected finish which looped into the net.
Miyazawa, who scored two in Japan's opening group game against Zambia, made it 3-0 by firing across goal and into the net in front of a crowd of 20,957.
Substitute Mina Tanaka added to Spain's pain with a fourth goal in the 82nd minute.Japan started the third and final group game trailing Spain on goal difference after both teams had made 100% winning starts in New Zealand.
Japan will stay in Wellington, where they will meet Norway, the 1995 world champions, on Saturday at 09:00 BST.
Group runners-up Spain head to Auckland, where they will play Switzerland at Eden Park on Saturday at 06:00.
Predicta-balls: DAY TWELVE
Norway punish paltry Philippines; 6-0
Having failed to win in their opening two games and with star Caroline Graham Hansen criticising the decision to leave her out of the side, Hege Riise's faltering team were in serious danger of finishing bottom of a group they were expected to breeze through.
But with Hansen restored to the side and the bit between her teeth in Auckland's Eden Park, the Grasshoppers tore into their poor opponents to get the win that sees them finish second in Group A and sends the Philippines home.
Haug got the ball rolling in just the sixth minute courtesy of a neatly taken back-post volley before then doubling her and her side's tally 11 minutes later via a looping header.
Hansen underlined her importance with the third, scoring with a superb low shot from range - a key goal that gave Norway complete control of their fate, regardless of the scoreline in the other final group game between Switzerland and co-hosts New Zealand.
Norway then put the outcome completely to bed with two goals early in the second half - a bundled own goal from the unfortunate Alicia Barker and a Guro Reiten penalty.
The Philippines' woes were compounded when substitute Sofia Harrison was sent off less than 10 minutes after coming on following a VAR review on a late challenge on Thea Bjelde.
In the middle of 11 added minutes, Haug completed her treble with another header and could have had a fourth but steered a sliding effort against the post.
Norway will now face the winner of Group C - which will be either Spain or Japan - in the last 16 in Wellington on 5 August.
Switzerland topped Group A after drawing with New Zealand in the other game played on Sunday.
Hosts New Zealand eliminated despite Swiss symmetry; 0-0
New Zealand began the day in second position in the group, but Norway moved above them thanks to a convincing 6-0 victory over the Philippines.
Jacqueline Hand hit the post for New Zealand but they could not get the win they needed to stay in the competition.
They become the first host nation to fail to make it past the group phase.
Colombia condemn Germans to injury o'clock defeat: 2-1
Linda Caicedo netted a wondergoal to give the South Americans the lead, before Germany equalised with an 89th-minute Alexandra Popp penalty.
Vanegas then headed Leicy Santos' corner past Merle Frohms to send the vast numbers of Colombia supporters at Sydney Football Stadium wild.
It condemned Germany to a first World Cup group stage defeat since 1995.
A manic ending came after Caicedo, 18, had brilliantly curled into the top corner on 53 minutes to shock the two-time world champions.
The final round of fixtures in this group kick off at 11.00 BST on 3 August, with Colombia taking on Morocco and Germany facing South Korea.
Colombia need a point to top the group, while Germany may need victory to be sure of reaching the knock-outs.
Morocco march on as Koreans capsize; 1-0
Ibtissam Jraidi scored Morocco's first World Cup goal with a sixth-minute header as the north Africans, ranked 72nd in the world, stunned their 17th-ranked opponents.
Sixteen-year-old substitute Casey Phair fired wide for South Korea late on.
Morocco defender Nouhaila Benzina made history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup.
"We are just so pleased our efforts have paid off. This victory is for Morocco and Arabs, it's the fruit of our hard work," said Jraidi.
South Korea have now lost both matches and will be eliminated if Germany avoid defeat against Colombia on Sunday.
Predicta-balls: DAY ELEVEN
Jamaicans pan Panama; 1-0
Swaby rose highest to head home from a Trudi Carter cross in the 56th minute as the Reggae Girlz recorded a historic win - and in the process knocked Panama out of the tournament.
France and Jamaica are joint top of Group F and now face final decisive group matches against Panama and Brazil respectively on Wednesday, 2 August.
Lorne Donaldson's side, who were without captain Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw after she was sent off in the dying seconds of their goalless draw against France, have shown significant progress since 2019, when they lost all three matches on their only previous tournament appearance.
France flourish in folly of favorites; 2-1
Eugenie le Sommer put the French ahead after 17 minutes, before Debinha pulled Brazil level in the second half.
There was end to end action as two of the pre-tournament favourites delivered a game which lived up to expectations.
But it was Renard - who had been an injury doubt - who headed in the decisive goal with seven minutes to go.
"She is the leader of the team," France manager Herve Renard said of his captain. "If she was not able to play today then it wouldn't be the same. We were lucky to have her today."
Brazil would have qualified for the last 16 with victory but instead must wait until the final matchday to try to book a knockout spot.
Pia Sundhage's side meet Jamaica in their final group match, while France take on Panama. Both games will be played on 2 August, kicking off at 11.00 BST.
Swedes swagger and swat away insipid Italians; 5-0
The 2019 semi-finalists showed why they remain heavyweights of the women's game as Amanda Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius scored in the space of seven minutes at the end of the first half.
New Arsenal signing Ilestedt opened the scoring with a glancing header from Jonna Andersson's corner before Rolfo, a Champions League winner with Barcelona, used her knee to double the lead after another corner.
Italy, who had recorded clean sheets in six of their previous 13 World Cup matches, conceded a third when Blackstenius, another Arsenal player, finished from close range.
In front of a crowd of 29,143, it went from bad to worse for Le Azzurre when Ilestedt added the fourth - her third goal of the tournament - from another header from yet another corner.
And substitute Rebecka Blomqvist added the fifth in the 95th minute.
Sweden will face one of the United States, the Netherlands or Portugal in the knockout stage.
Italy remain second in the group with three points from two games, but need to defeat South Africa next Wednesday back in Wellington (08:00 BST) to make sure of progressing in the tournament.
10-women China hold off Haiti; 1-0
The win for China means England, who beat Denmark 1-0 earlier on Friday, have not qualified for the last 16 yet.
Midfielder Zhang Rui was sent off after 29 minutes for a dangerous knee-high challenge on Haiti's Sherly Jeudy.
But Wang Shuang scored the only goal, converting a 74th-minute penalty after Ruthny Mathurin fouled Zhang Linyan.
England would have advanced to the knockout stages with a match to spare if China had drawn or lost to a Haiti side ranked 53rd in the world.
The last matches in the group take place on Tuesday, with leaders England, on six points, playing against China, while Denmark face Haiti at the same time.
China and Denmark both have three points, while Haiti, playing at their first World Cup, have zero points but can still qualify if they beat Denmark and China lose to the Lionesses.
Majestic James sees efficient England edge Denmark; 1-0
England are on the brink of last-16 qualification in the Women's World Cup after a much-improved performance saw off Denmark - though they lost key midfielder Keira Walsh to a worrying injury.
Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with a superb strike from the edge of the box just six minutes into her first World Cup start and it proved to be the decider in Sydney.
However, a serious-looking injury to Barcelona midfielder Walsh dampened what was a positive, attacking performance from the Lionesses after a scrappy 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening group match.
Walsh went down under little contact and immediately gestured to the dugout, appearing to say: "I've done my knee." Visibly in pain, she was taken off on a stretcher after 38 minutes.
The sight of an injured Walsh - arguably England's most crucial player - flattened the atmosphere in a Sydney Football Stadium dominated by Lionesses supporters.
Denmark capitalised on the change of mood, creating a chance for ex-Chelsea striker Pernille Harder which she scuffed wide, though England's half-time lead was deserved.
James continued to impress throughout, providing the creativity and unpredictability that has excited fans in the Women's Super League, and showing she is more than deserving of a regular starting spot with England.
DR Who? Daly or Russo?
Replacing White and Mead - top scorers in World Cup qualification with 10 and 13 respectively - has proven an eventual challenge. Super-sub Alessia Russo is adored by fans, boasting a highly capable oeuvre of the modern number 9, though slightly inexperienced at the age of 24 with 23 caps and 11 goals (averaging 0.48 goals per game). Russo scored a somewhat crestfallen 5 goals in the qualifying campaign, but has struggled for metric form for club and, comparably, when in the starting 11 for England. Should England utilize options in central midfield more against Denmark, Russo tactically complies.
Since Daly's conversion from left-back, she has been a powerhouse for net-worth (at club level at least). Top scorer for the WSL 2022-23 season, Daly's newfound position certainly bears fruit, though with few statistics to support given the contemporaneity of the change. Daly offers a wealth of pitch experience at 31, with 70 caps and 13 goals (averaging 0.19% goals per game, though played in defence until November 2022) but lacks some experience in her moulded role. Nevertheless, Daly is a composed and creative CF option bearing tenured aerial threat. Should England widen the pitch and flood the wings, Daly might fare better.
Wiegman has yet to show her hand...
The Rank bank and hope for the hosts
Rank Analysis (As per data 09/06/23)
25 games banked and, generally, the higher ranked teams are holding true to their prominence. There have been 16 cases in which the higher ranked team has triumphed over lower ranking teams...but there has been a fair few anomalies. On four occasions, lower ranked teams have defeated higher ranking teams and on five occasions lower ranked teams have scuppered a draw.
Probability of higher ranked team beating lower ranked team: 64%
Probability of lower ranked team drawing with higher ranked team (or vice versa): 20%
Probability of lower ranked team beating higher ranked team: 16%
The highest ranked team is USA (1)
The lowest ranked team is Zambia (77)
The anomalies
Of the four occasions in which lower ranked teams have prospered, three of which have, surprisingly, involved the host nations:
Of the five occasions in which higher/lower ranked teams have drawn:
Hope for the hosts
Argentina bounce back against South Africa: 2-2
Knowing defeat would take them to the brink of elimination, Argentina threw everything at Desiree Ellis' side in a second half comeback.
Substitute Romina Nunez headed in their second after a superb half-volley from Sophia Braun had stunned South Africa.
Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana had put South Africa 2-0 up.
The Great Wall of England: Mary Earps
Mary Earps survived a surprising test against Haiti; can England's resolute clean sheet collector be defeated? England play Denmark tomorrow, but who will start up front - Daly or Russo? Will England's dry scoring spell be satiated with a net-rampage like in Euro 2021? One thing is for sure - if England win, they have a boot in the last 16!
GOAT GOAL Contender #3 - McCabe
Watch Irelands's captain Katie McCabe's simply outrageous goal; netting directly from a corner.
With just four minutes on the clock, Ireland are awarded a corner which McCabe in-swings into the roof of the net, high above the clutches of Canadian keeper Kailen Sheridan.
Testimonials from McCabe's Arsenal teammates assume the shot to be of intention...but was it a cross?
Whether intention or luck, McCabe's effort was not enough to save Ireland's drowning tournament. Ironically, Ireland's 'luck' met its equilibrium as an own goal gifted Canada momentum to steal away maximum points.
heartbroken 💔 but so unbelievably proud of my girls tonight we fought until the end and I hope we made you proud back home 🇮🇪 the fans in Perth tonight were incredible from start to finish - stay with us 1 more game to go💚🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/8ZIpSXiqMR
— Katie McCabe (@Katie_McCabe11) July 26, 2023
The wizard of OZ; Australia 2-3 Nigeria
Australia scored first when Emily van Egmond converted Caitlin Foord's pass.
But Nigeria equalised soon afterwards with Uchenna Kanu's calm finish, before Osinachi Ohale's header made it 2-1.
Asisat Oshoala scored after a mix-up between Australia's Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold and Nigeria held on, despite Kennedy scoring late on.
Portugal send Vietnam packing; 2-0
The debutants got a maiden victory via their first World Cup goals, scored by Telma Encarnacao and Kika Nazareth.
Portugal will progress to the knockout stages if they cause a giant upset and beat four-time winners the USA.
Vietnam will be eliminated from the World Cup after this loss at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Portugal play the United States in their final Group E match on Tuesday at 08:00 BST, while Vietnam will seek their first World Cup point and goal against the Netherlands at the same time.
GOAT GOAL Contender #2 - Abelleira
— Teresa Abelleira (@teresabelleira) July 9, 2023
Full throttle heavyweight clash ends in shared spoils; USA 1-1 Netherlands
Overall, the Dutch probably dodged defeat and were made to grind out a draw against the exponentially aggressive champions. USA dominated the second half, though second best in the first, able to balance the scoresheet with a privy and powerful set-piece seeing States captain Lindsey Horan connect with a thunderous header at the near post.
Alex Morgan had a goal disallowed, correctly, for a fractional offside and whilst USA peppered the Dutch defense with a litany of corners late on; steadfast the Dutch remained.
Which angle are you framing? 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/x5B0yNDjLM
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 27, 2023
Some luck for the Irish but Canada prevail; 2-1
Irish captain Katie McCabe scored the Republic's first World Cup goal when her superb corner flew into the net after just four minutes.
The Irish had chances to add a second against the Olympic champions, but they were undone in first-half injury time as Julia Grosso's cross took a touch off defender Megan Connolly and nestled in the bottom corner in torrential conditions.
Adriana Leon poked Canada into the lead eight minutes into the second half and, although they pressed forward, the Republic could not find the goal they needed to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
The Republic will be playing for pride against Nigeria, who face co-hosts Australia on Thursday, in their final match in Group B.
Spain sizzle in eliminating Zambia; 5-0
The Spanish opened their Group C campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win against Costa Rica last week, having a total of 46 shots on goal.
They picked up where they left off against Zambia, racing into a ninth-minute lead when Teresa Abelleira drove in a stunning strike from distance.
Hermoso doubled the lead just four minutes later, heading home a cross on her 100th appearance for her country.
Redondo then rounded the goalkeeper in the second half before Hermoso scored her 50th international goal late on after a lengthy video assistant referee check.
Hermoso almost had a hat-trick soon after but her shot was pushed on to the crossbar, but Spain got their fifth when Redondo drove home in the final few minutes.
The victory also ensured Japan - who beat Costa Rica 2-0 earlier on Thursday - also progress and the two sides will meet in a battle for first place on Monday, 31 July (08:00 BST).
Predicta-balls: After 20 matches
My aim is to get 1000 points from the tournament; 50 points awarded for exact score (and result), 20 points awarded for correct result. Of the 20 concluded contests, I have predicted 14 correct results with two exact scores. Of predicting exacting scores, my success rate is 10% - whilst my success metrics are much higher for predicting outright results at 70%.
2. Australia 1-0 Republic of Ireland. Correct result predicted. 20 points
3. Nigeria 0-0 Canada.
4. Philippines 0-2 Switzerland.
5. Spain 3-0 Costa Rica. Correct result predicted. 20 points
6. USA 3-0 Vietnam. Correct result predicted. 20 points
7. Zambia 0-5 Japan. Correct result predicted. 20 points
8. England 1-0 Haiti. Correct result predicted. 20 points
9. Denmark 1-0 China.
10. Sweden 2-1 South Africa. Correct result predicted. 20 points
11. Netherlands 1-0 Portugal. Correct result predicted. 20 points
12. France 0-0 Jamaica. Correct result predicted. 20 points
13. Italy 1-0 Argentina.
14. Germany 6-0 Morocco. Correct result predicted. 20 points
15. Brazil 4-0 Panama. Exact score and result predicted. 50 points
16. Colombia 2-0 Korea Republic.
17. New Zealand 0-1 Philippines.
18. Switzerland 0-0 Norway. Correct result predicted. 20 points
19. Japan 2-0 Costa Rica. Correct result predicted. 20 points
20. Spain 5-0 Zambia. Correct result predicted. 20 points
Japan quick-fire double costs Costa Rica probable elimination; 2-0
Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino both scored in the space of three first-half minutes to ease the 2011 champions to three points.
Penalty Pandemonium 2: Pens Eleven
Watch every penalty spot-kick from the tournament so far (including VAR re-takes).
