FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Optus Sport – It’s day 19 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ in Australia and New Zealand and the football is coming thick and fast.
Yesterday, the Netherlands proved too strong for surprise packet South Africa, while Sweden knocked out reigning champions the USA in dramatic fashion via the tournament’s first penalty shootout.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 19th day of action, as well as what you missed from the day before.
FROM MATCHDAY 18:
- Netherlands 2-0 South Africa
- Sweden 0-0 USA (Sweden win 5-4 on penalties)
What’s on today:
It’s another crucial day of football on Optus Sport as the Round of 16 action continues.
England v Nigeria (5.30pm AEST)
European champions England kick off the day’s knockout round action against African underdogs Nigeria.
The Lionesses won all of their group stage matches to confirm themselves as genuine Women’s World Cup contenders in 2023.
Nigeria, meanwhile, turned Group B on its head after beating co-hosts Australia 3-2 which ultimately proved enough to take them into the knockout stages.
England will come into this match as favourites but Nigeria are yet to lose at this tournament and will be a hard team to breakdown having kept clean sheets against Canada and the Republic of Ireland.
It’s a massive day of football on Optus Sport as we enter the penultimate day of group stage games as we find out the winners of Groups F and G.
Australia v Denmark (8.30pm AEST)
Tournament co-hosts Australia will be hoping to win just their second knockout round match at a Women’s World Cup when they face Denmark in Sydney.
The Matildas bounced back from a surprise loss to Nigeria in the group stages with a 4-0 win over Canada last time out to seal their place in the Round of 16.
Australia will need to be at their attacking best to find a way past a stubborn Danish defence which has conceded just one goal at the tournament to date.
Denmark have historically caused the Matildas problems, winning their first Women’s World Cup mat 5-0 in 1995, but Australia did win their most recent encounter 3-1 in October 2022.
Players to watch
Lauren James (England)
The Lionesses undisputed star of the tournament to date, James has taken the Women’s World Cup by storm with three goals and three assists to her name so far.
Still just 21, the attacker has shown no signs of nerves on the big stage and gives England a key edge in the final third.
With Nigeria’s defence proving tough to break, James could well prove the difference in a match where opportunities could be at a premium.
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Caitlin Foord (Australia)
While yet to score at the tournament, Foord does have two assists to her name and has shown her importance on the left wing for the Matildas.
She’ll be eager to target Denmark’s fullbacks and scored twice when Australia last played the Danes less than a year ago.
Should Sam Kerr once again not start this match, Foord looks like an attacker ready to fill the void.
Where to watch
Like every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, England v Nigeria and Australia v Denmark will all be shown live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Live coverage begins from 4.30pm (AEST) on Optus Sport with England v Nigeria on Optus Sport 1, with Australia v Denmark to follow.
Media Release – Optus Sport
Link to Optus Sport HERE
TV Central Optus Sport content HERE
