FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Optus Sport – Italy opened up yesterday’s action with a late 1-0 win thanks to 16-year-old Cristiana Girella’s late strike before Germany thrashed Morocco 6-0 in what was the African side’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ game.
The game wrapped up with Brazil beating Panama 4-0 as Ary Borges scored the first hat-trick of the tournament.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the second day of action, as well as what you missed from the day before.
FROM MATCHDAY 5:
- Italy 1–0 Argentina
- Germany 6-0 Morocco
- Brazil 4-0 Panama
What’s on today:
We’ve seen all but two teams in action so far but that’s going to end today as we finally get a look at Colombia and South Korea, while tournament hosts New Zealand are back in action.
Colombia vs Korea Republic (12pm AEST)
They are the last two teams we have yet to see in action but they will go head to head at the Sydney Football Stadium first thing today.
Colombia secured their place in Australia and New Zealand after finishing runners up to Brazil at the Copa America last year – the fourth time they’ve fallen at the final hurdle.
The South Americans have had a controversial start to their tournament after the Republic of Ireland called off their warm-up game with them after a robust tackle and accused them of being “overly physical”.
In Korea Republic, they face another team that finished runners up in their continental tournament as they lost in the final of the Asia Cup.
This game between two runners up is predicted to decide who will finish runners up to Group H favourites Germany for a place in the knockout rounds.
New Zealand vs Philippines (3.30pm AEST)
At the start of the tournament, it would have been this game that New Zealand were targeting to record their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ win.
However, that unexpectedly came in the tournament opener against Norway and now the Football Ferns know that if they can beat the Philippines then they will progress to the last 16 for the first time in their history.
In fact, a point will be enough for New Zealand if Norway lose to Switzerland in the game after.
Conversely, Philippines know that a loss against the co-hosts will end their hopes of getting through to the last 16 after they lost their opening game 2-0 to Switzerland.
The last time the two sides met saw the Football Ferns edge a 2-1 victory in September last year and Alen Stajcic’s side will need to show more attacking intent if they want to avoid a similar fate having failed to register a shot on target on target against the Swiss.
Switzerland vs Norway (6pm AEST)
Norway were the favourites to win Group A ahead of the curtain raiser last week, yet now they face a scenario where they could be eliminated from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ altogether before their third game even takes place.
A victory for Switzerland and the Philippines failing to beat New Zealand in the earlier game would send the Norwegians home.
That would signal disaster for a nation that has reached the knockout rounds in seven of their last eight FIFA Women’s World Cups™, however history is not on their side, with Norway having not won their second group game of a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ since 1999.
It would mark two back-to-back tournament failures having lost 8-0 to England at the Euros last year.
Switzerland, on the other hand, are now well placed to reach the knockout rounds for only the second time in their history.
Players to watch
Linda Caicedo (Colombia)
Gifted teenager Linda Caicedo is considered Colombia’s brightest star and could be one to watch during her country’s time in Australia and New Zealand. It was her goal that took Colombia to the Copa America final and secured their place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
She has managed to represent Colombia’s U17, U20 and senior team simultaneously and currently represented Real Madrid and now boasts Matilda Hayley Raso as a teammate.
Caicedo cites Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar as her idols and was recently awarded the “Reina de America” trophy handed out by Uruguayan paper El Pais to the continent’s best female footballer. She also finished second in the Globe Soccer Awards behind Alexia Putellas.
Hannah Wilkinson (New Zealand)
Hannah Wilkinson wrote herself into Kiwi folklore in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ curtain raiser against Norway, finishing off a stunning team move to earn the Football Ferns their first ever finals victory.
Wilkinson has three FIFA Women’s World Cup™ goals to her name – one in each of the last three finals – and her goals will be key if New Zealand can reach the knockout rounds for the first time.
Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland)
Former Chelsea star Ramona Bachmann scored the penalty to get Switzerland on their way towards a 2-0 win over the Philippines in their opening game.
Now at PSG, the forward has history with this competition, having scored three times in the 2015 edition to get Switzerland to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Where to watch
Like every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, Colombia vs South Korea, New Zealand vs Philippines and Switzerland vs Norway will all be shown live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Live coverage begins from 11am (AEST) on Optus Sport with Colombia vs South Korea, with live coverage running all the way through until after Switzerland vs Norway.
Media Release – Optus Sport
Link to Optus Sport HERE
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