As if the shockers were not enough for the first round, the second round of group games in the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off to another one of the unexpected.
Of the highlights, Nigeria win a first ever game from losing position for the first time in the country’s history while Morocco also enjoyed an historical moment in their win over South Korea, which was also their first ever in the tournament.
Banyana Banyana of South Africa disappointed having surrendered a two goal lead against Argentina but Zambia reached the lowest of lows as they were again humbled in another 5-0 debacle to Spain.
Starting this time with The Phillipines, who were humbled by Switzerland on debut, upset co-host, New Zealand to turn the Group A on its head after Norway’s failure to beat Switzerland afterwards.
Norway, the highest ranked nation in the group now have to beat The Philippines by good margins in their final group game to seal progression into the round of 16 as after two games, any of the four can still qualify.
Sarina Bolden rises highest to head home a cross in the 24th minute to score Philippines’ first ever goal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and it was enough to burst the bubbles of New Zealand, who would have qualified even with only a draw.
After the clash, Norway looked for a first win in the tournament but it would not come against a resilient Swiss side, who now topples the group A on four points from two games having held on for a draw.
Group B
Of the best highlights of the round came in this group as Canada and Nigeria earned first wins, coming from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland and Australia respectively.
Katie McCabe scored The Republic of Ireland’s first ever goal in the tournament, scoring from a direct corner kick to open the scoring in the fourth minute against Olympic Champions, Canada.
Megan Connolly’s own goal in the added minute of the first half helped Canada level matters before Adriana Leon scored the eventual winner eight minutes after the restart to earn her country a first win in this edition.
On Thursday, Nigeria Super Falcons made history as they come from behind to win a FIFA Women’s World Cup game for the first time in history.
Van Egmond opened the scoring for co host, Australia in the first minute of added time of the first half. A win would have helped the Matildas secure passage into the round of 16 but unfortunately, more drama unfolded after the deadlock was broken.
Nigeria managed to level matters before the half time whistle go off as a Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot fell into the path of Uchenna Kanu, who scored to deny the Oceanian a win at the break.
Second half goals from Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala, the latter who becomes the first African woman to score in three different World Cup tournaments helped the Randy Waldrum’s side established a confortable lead.
Alanna Kennedy’s goal in the final minutes of added time ended up as a consolation as Nigeria edges closer to a place in the round of 16, leaving Australia heading into a winner takes all clash with Canada on Monday.
Nigeria faces already eliminated Republic of Ireland knowing a win of good margin will be enough to secure top spot.
Group C
Spain and Japan continued to flex their dominance and in doing so sealed passage to the round of 16 in the tournament having both won their opening two games.
Japan on Wednesday had to wait until Spain’s thrashing of Zambia to confirm next round qualification after setting themselves up for the chance, following a 2-0 win over Costa Rica.
Mina Tanaka assisted both goals as Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored their first World Cup goals to secure the impressive win in Dunedin.
Hours after that, Jennifer Hermoso made history as she bagged a brace on her century of appearance for Spain, becoming only the second player to reach 50 goals for the country after David Villa.
Levante striker, Alba Redondo also came off the bench to bag a brace, making it 5-0 to Spain, who had taken a ninth minute lead when Teresa Abelleira scored from a Jennifer Hermoso assist.
The result send both Spain and Japan into the round of 16 and confirm the elimination of both Costa Rica and Zambia. Spain and Japan will now battle for top spot in their meeting in Wellington on Monday.
Tough luck for Zambia on the debut in the tournament as they lost 5-0 in back-to-back games. They’ll seek a consolation when they take on Costa Rica in their final group game to be played for the culture.
Group D
Lauren James’s only goal was enough for England to beat Denmark and move to six points with one game to go. Unfortunately, they lost midfielder, Keira Walsh in the process and though the Barcelona woman has not been ruled our of the tournament, it is uncertain if of not she’ll return before the end of it.
China also record a narrow win against debutant, Haiti, who in the process exit the tournament with one game to spare.
The result of that one game will however be decisive as it will determine the progression of Denmark into the next round if the results elsewhere doesn’t go their way.
England only needs a draw against China to reach the round of 16 and as group winners. though they may still qualify even with a defeat, if Denmark fails to beat Haiti.
Group E
The rematch of the 2019 final was an eventful one as the Netherlands and United States share the spoils in Wellington on Thursday.
Manchester City new signing, Jill Roord opened the scoring after 17 minutes into the match from a Victoria Pelova assist.
The defending Champions responded two minutes after the hour mark as captain, Lindsey Horan heads home a corner from substitute, Rose Lavelle.
It finished all square and both sides boast four points each with USA leading on goal difference, heading into their final group game.
In other group game, Portugal achieved history as they got their first goals and first win in their history in the tournament.
The debutant, facing off against another debutant in Vietnam, made history when they went ahead in the seventh minute as Telma Encarnacao hit a first time shot into the back of the net from a Lucia Alves chip.
That goal was Portugal’s first ever in the FIFA Women’s World Cup history. The lead was doubled 14 minutes later, when Encarnacao turned provider as Francisca Nazareth slot past Thanh in goal for Vietnam.
Vietnam exit the tournament with one more game to play while Portugal will have to beat defending Champions to reach the quarters, if the Netherlands get at least a draw against Vietnam.
Group F
France records first win of the tournament by beating Brazil thanks to a late header from veteran defender, Wendie Renard.
The Europeans stormed into a powerful start as Eugenie Le Sommer head them in front with her 90th international goal after 17 minutes, from a Kadidiatou Diani assist.
Debinha leveled matters for the 2006 beaten finalist with a delightful goal, just two minutes before the hour mark.
France would have the last laugh though as Renard heads home a Selma Bacha corner from the right seven minutes from time to seal a crucial win for Harve Renard side.
With the one point earned against France in their opening match, Jamaica moves to second on the log after a narrow 1-0 win over Panama later on Saturday.
Allyson Swaby’s goal in the 56th minute sees them take a lead for the first time in a FIFA Women’s World Cup game and it was enough for all three points.
It puts the Reggae Girlz in a promising position heading into their final game against Brazil, which only a draw will see them qualify for the next round and even with a defeat, they’ll still go through should France lose to Panama by wider margin.
Group G
It’s been a frustrating tournament for the Banyana Banyana so far having again led but pegged back due to their lack of composure where it mattered.
On the back of losing all three points to Sweden despite taking a second half lead, South Africa surrendered a two goal advantage to leave Dunedin with a draw against Argentina.
Inspired by the performance of Thembi Kgatlana, who assisted Linda Motlhalo for the opening goal on the half hour mark before scoring herself to double the lead six minutes after the hour mark, Desiree Ellis minions could not see out the advantage.
Sophie Braun and Romina Nunez both scored for Argentina in the space of five minutes between the 74th and 79th minute to salvage a points.
South Africa has now lost five points from winning position in this edition of the tournament, more than any other nation after the completion of the second round of group games.
Sweden book their place in the round of 16 in a five star performance that sees them spell the word Italy.
Defender, Amanda Ilestedt bagged a brace to become joint top scorer so far while Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfo and Rebecka Blomqvist all scored in the rampant win over their fellow European.
Sweden progresses, leaving the three others to fight for the other round of 16 spot with the advantage not on Argentina as they play the group’s pacesetter in final round of group games.
Group H
Morocco turned up after Germany debacle to keep hopes of reaching next round alive with a historical first ever win in the tournament history thanks to Ibtissam Jraïdi’s six minute strike against South Korea.
The match also saw Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to ever wear a hijab in a FIFA Women’s World Cup game.
The debutant though, faces an uphill task to reach the round of 16 in their final game following Colombia’s last gasp winner against Germany.
After Alexandra Popp had leveled matters for the two time winner from the spot, canceling out Linda Caicedo’s brilliant oper, Manuela Vanegas heads home in the seventh minute of added time to seal an impressive win for the South Americans.
All to fight for in their final group games but unfortunately, it is not looking good for Africa representatives, Morocco.
Hassan Afolabi
