Full of surprises, from the New Zealand exploit against Norway to the unlikely elimination of Germany, the Women’s World Cup in Oceania offers an undecided final table, with a Sweden-United States clash and three novices at this stage. of the competition. With this question: is there a favorite in Australia and New Zealand?
The Americans, double defending champions in search of a historic treble, even came close to elimination against Portugal, while Germany, champions in 2003 and 2007, took the door in an unprecedented way from the group stage, notably by suffering the most significant defeat in its history against Colombia (2-1).
Canada’s Olympic champions also left the competition, finishing behind Australia and Nigeria. All continents are represented in the final 16 nations, with three teams entering a knockout stage: Morocco, South Africa and Jamaica.
The Jamaican “Reggae Girlz” have also managed the feat of not conceding a single goal, like Japan and Switzerland. The Japanese are also the only ex-winners (2011) to have finished at the top of their group. “The days when you could predict everything are over,” said Jill Ellis, the emblematic coach of the Americans during their world titles in 2015 and 2019, on Friday. one of the most unpredictable and interesting World Cups in history”.
Asked Thursday, the midfielder of the France team Sandie Toletti shares this point of view. “Everyone is wondering who will go all the way. Looking at the group stage, it’s hard to know. There may be surprises,” she said. In the absence of several injured stars, the tournament leaves more room for expression to strong and solid collectives than to individual performances, even if some have caught the eye, like the Colombian nugget Linda Caicedo (18 years old).
One thing is certain, one of the favorites will be on the mat on Sunday, after the shock of the 8th between the “Team USA” and Sweden, Olympic vice-champion in title. “It may be better to face them on Sunday than in the semi-final or in the final,” said coach Peter Gerhardsson. “Psychologically, we know we can beat them.” The Swedes are indeed one of the few teams to have finished with three wins in three matches, like reigning European champions England and Japan. The Japanese, world champions 12 years ago, struck a blow by winning well against Spain (4-0) during the group stage. A reference match as few nations have achieved. France, for its part, had its own against Brazil (2-1), like Australia against Canada (4-0).
France-Australia is also a possible poster in the quarter-finals, August 12 in Brisbane. Provided that there is no new surprise from the southern hemisphere by then. Can this be from an African country? South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco have all qualified, and the Nigerians even impressed against hosts Australia (3-2). The Super Falcons are now dreaming of a new feat against the English on Monday. Attraction of the group stage after its success against Germany, Colombia seems for its part totally inhabited, carried by tens of thousands of fans in the stands. Against Jamaica on Tuesday, the South Americans have something to play for.