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The Women’s World Cup recap: Upsets and New Records

This is our latest recap of the FIFA 2015 Women’s World Cup games.

Friday

Australia and Nigeria 2-0

This match to start the day wasn’t quite as close as I’d hoped it would be. Australia came back from their loss to the US in round one to earn themselves three points. In the 29th, Kyah Simon was able to put the finishing touch from a difficult angle on a brilliant run by Lisa De Vanna. The score remained unchanged until the 68th when Simon got her second and what would be the final goal of the game. Nigeria had their chances, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Matildas at bay.

Switzerland and Ecuador 10-1

The scoreline pretty well tells the story of this game as the Swiss trounced Ecuador in the teams’ second match. To add insult to injury, two of Switzerland’s goals were own goals and both by Angie Ponce. This game also saw a new record for fastest hat trick in Women’s World Cup history from Fabienne Humm with goals at minutes 47,49, and 52.

USA and Sweden 0-0

Some games that end in a nil-nil draw do so because it’s a tight, well-fought match. This was not one of those games. The Swedes had several moments of where they had the US on their heels, and the US had they chances as well but few were close to goal-worthy and none found the back of the net. The game puts US at the top of group D with four points and Sweden in third with two points.

Japan and Cameroon 2-1

Japan and Cameroon faced off for the last game of the day Japan looked calm and confident as they typically do, and were able to come away three points with two very early goals. Aya Sameshima was able to put in a cross from the wing at the sixth minute followed by a brave header from Yuika Sugasawa in the 17th. These two goals would be it for Japan, though Cameroon found some redemption in a 90th minute goal. Ajara Nchout was able to beat the keeper to make it 2-1, but it was just too little, too late for Cameroon.

Saturday

France and Colombia 0-2

Saturday opened with the only real upset of the tournament so far, and it was a doozy. Colombia took down third-ranked France with two goals to France’s zero. France were the definition of frustrated as they just couldn’t score, nor find the successful groove they’re used to. France had 60% of the possession and 21 shots, but couldn’t get past goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda. Colombia only had three shots the whole match but were able to find the net with two of them, the first from Lady Andrade at just 19 minutes in. The second came in the 93rd minute from Catalina Usme to seal the deal for Colombia, giving them four points and first place in group F.

Brazil and Spain 1-0

A win over Spain guaranteed Brazil’s spot in the next stage on Saturday. A closely fought match, both had several chances but only one goal was to be had. Just before halftime, Andressa Alvarez was able to score, following up on a ball cleared off the line by Spanish defender Celia Jimenez. The second half was scoreless despite some close calls for both teams. Brazil would find their second victory of the tournament, and can breathe a bit easier going into game three.

England and Mexico 2-1

A different England showed up on Saturday than the one we saw in the first round against France. Looking certainly less timid, the Three Lionesses didn’t find their first goal until the 71st when Fran Kirby would skillfully shake two players in the box and poke the ball past the keeper to find the net. The second came at the 82nd from Karen Carney with a header off of a cross to secure the win. Mexico fought to the end, scoring in the 91st as Fabiola Ibarra followed her teammate’s shot for the tap in. With this win for England and Colombia beating France, the teams moving on to the next stage are still very much up in the air for Group F.

Korea Republic and Costa Rica 2-2

A close game between two teams with a lot of heart, found them deadlocked. Costa Rica struck first with a chip over the keeper from Melissa Herrera in the 17th. Four minutes later, Korea would be awarded a penalty and Ji Soyun would convert. Another four minutes and Jeon Gaeul would strike for Korea with a perfect header. The scoreline would hold until it was almost too late, but Costa Rica found their equalizer. Minute 89, Karla Villalobos received a perfect ball over the top, settled it beautifully and shot early to make it all even. The tie leaves Costa Rica in second and Korea in last in Group F.

Group Standings:

Group A

Canada – 4

China – 3

Netherlands – 3

New Zealand – 1

Group B

Germany – 4

Norway – 4

Thailand – 3

Côte d’Ivoire – 0

Group C

Japan – 6

Switzerland – 3

Cameroon – 3

Ecuador – 0

Group D

USA – 4

Australia – 3

Sweden – 2

Nigeria – 1

Group E

Brazil – 6

Costa Rica – 2

Spain – 1

Korea Republic – 1

Group F

Colombia – 4

England – 3

France – 3

Mexico – 3

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