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Writer's pictureAaron Reber

Womens World Cup group stage round-up!

Yesterday's dramatic conclusion to Group H saw the group stages come to an end, so let's take a look at the teams that have advanced, top scorers, best goals, the big upsets and more...


Qualifiers for the Round of 16

Qualified: Australia, Colombia, Denmark, England, France, Jamaica, Japan, Morocco Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Sweden South Africa, Switzerland, USA


Out of the 16 teams to qualify only three teams had a perfect record of 9 points from 9 points in the group stages. Those teams were Japan, England and Sweden.


As well as a perfect record, Japan topped the leaderboard for most goals scored, hitting the back of the net 11 times in 3 games. They are followed by the Netherlands and Sweden, both scoring 9. At the other end of the pitch, Switzerland, Japan, and Jamaica are the only teams yet to concede a goal. This is especially impressive of Jamaica who kept a clean sheet against football heavyweights France and Brazil.


Top scorer & top assists

Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) and Alexandra Popp (Germany) are tied for the most goals in the group stages with 4 goals in 3 games. Miyazawa has impressive stats of 41 minutes per goal and a goal conversion rate of 50%. Meanwhile Popp has recorded a goal every 66 minutes and a goal conversion rate of 29%. Lauren James (England) and Mina Tanaka (Japan) have assisted the most goals with 3 assists in 3 games.



Best goal of the group stages?


Linda Caicedo vs Germany

The 18-year-old wonderkid picked up the ball in the box, shifting the ball from right to left to beat two defenders and create a half-yard of space to unleash a thunderous shot into the top right corner. Her strike gave the South Americans a surprise lead against European giants Germany. The Real Madrid youngster became the second-youngest South American player to score in a World Cup.


Zaneratto João vs Panama

Zaneratto was the goal-scorer on the end of a delightful team move from Brazil. Neat combination play down the left flank led to a perfectly weighted cross to the feet of Ary Borges, who superbly backheeled the ball to put it on a plate for Zaneratto, who hammered the ball into the roof of the net from close range to make it 3-0 to Brazil.


Lauren James vs China

James produced a world-class performance to help England thrash China 6-1. She registered 2 goals and 3 assists, with the pick of the bunch being her second goal. The ball was swung in by Jess Carter to James at the back post who watched the ball onto her left foot before effortlessly volleying the ball past helpless China goalkeeper Zhu. The way Lauren James made this look so simple is an indicator of the technical brilliance she possesses.


Sophia Braun vs South Africa

This was Argentina's first goal at this World Cup and what a goal it was. A sweetly struck half-volley from Sophia Braun flew into the top right corner with the South African keeper standing no chance.


Esmee Brugts vs Vietnam

Esmee Brugts chipped in with two long-range screamers in Netherlands 7-0 thumping against Vietnam. Both goals came from Brugts cutting in on her right foot and curling the ball into the far corner. The execution of both strikes was outstanding with a blend of curl and pure power proving to be unstoppable.



Game of the group stage?

It has to go to Panama vs France. This 9-goal thriller was action packed from minute one.


Panama had failed to score a goal in their first two group games, but it took just 2-minutes to take the lead against European giants France. Enter Cox delivered a moment of history, scoring Panama first ever World Cup goal and what a goal it was. A stunning free kick from 30 yards out sending the Panama players and fans wild. Cox couldn't hold in her emotion as she dropped to the floor crying whilst her teammates bundled onto her.

Despite Panama's early lead, France was dominant and lead 2-1 by the 28th minute thanks to goals from Lakrar and Diani. A penalty awarded to France for hand ball was calmly tucked away by Diani for her second of the game and Le Garrec made it 4-1 on the brink of half-time.


Panama refused to give up and their efforts were rewarded when the referee pointed to the spot for a foul on Tanner, which was dispatched into the bottom corner by Pizon. Panama scored a third goal in the 87th minute to make it 5-3, but it was France who took the three points as Becho scored late into extra time to end the thrilling game 6-3 to France.



Big upsets - Who missed out?

This World Cup has had some massive upsets with some big teams being eliminated from the tournament.


Going into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, no one would have guessed Germany to be knocked out in the group stages. The two-time World Champions were held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea, whilst Morocco's 1-0 victory over Colombia meant Germany failed to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Other big upsets include Olympic champions Canada, who finished behind Australia and Nigeria in Group B, and Brazil who failed to qualify despite an opening game 4-0 victory against Panama.


Round of 16

  • Switzerland vs Spain

  • Netherlands vs South Africa

  • Japan vs Norway

  • Sweden vs United States

  • Australia vs Denmark

  • France vs Morocco

  • England vs Nigeria

  • Colombia vs Jamaica


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