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If you slept (at all), you missed one of the most entertaining World Cup group stages ever. I’m Emily Olsen, here with Meg Linehan and Steph Yang — welcome to Full Time!
Goodbye Group Stage
Germany crashes out of World Cup group stage, Morocco moves on
I don’t like using the word “stunned” for just any game, but I was actually stunned watching the group stage finale Thursday as Germany failed to secure three points and crashed out of the tournament for the first time before the knockout rounds.
The numbers back me up.
- Against South Korea, Germany had 71% of possession and completed 559 passes.
- Overall, the No. 2 ranked team’s goal differential was better by NINE over No. 72 Morocco, but the Atlas Lionesses had the two points that meant the most in the standings.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this World Cup, it’s that the world is showing up. The tournament opened with New Zealand defeating Norway 1-0, then saw Haiti hold England to a single goal and Jamaica go undefeated in the group stage to advance to the round of 16. And that’s just to name a few fun surprises.
As U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski said earlier this week, “All these results actually are reminders for us that rankings mean nothing in the World Cup.”
All four teams in Group H had a chance to go to the next round on the last day. A win would have sealed a place for Germany. Morocco, on the other hand was facing an uphill battle. Assuming Germany would win against South Korea, the first Arab nation in the tournament would have needed at least five goals against Colombia. But Germany’s defeat threw that requirement out the window, and Morocco still beat Colombia 1-0.
You’re going to want the sound up on this one ????????
Listen to the Arabic call of the moment Morocco learned it was in the Knockout Stage ????????
(via BEIN Sports MENA) pic.twitter.com/DbZa4rG5D7
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 3, 2023
As the games kicked off simultaneously, South Korea scored first of all the teams. Cho So-hyun converted a nicely played ball through on goal six minutes into the game. South Korea had a comprehensive defensive performance too; minutes later, Alexandra Popp beat Kim Hye-ri, but the defender used every inch of her body to slide and secure the ball away from danger. Popp equalized later in the first half with a leaping header that was perfectly placed at the top right corner of the goal. And still, it wasn’t enough.
As The Athletic contributor Kim McCauley notes, “Germany simply did not create enough chances to win their last two games. They had fewer than 15 shots and 2 expected goals against both Colombia and South Korea. Fans like to zero in on strikers for not converting chances, but Alexandra Popp is much less at fault for these results than the players behind her.”
In Perth, Morocco also found the back of the net in stoppage time of the first half. It came after a missed penalty when the Atlas Lionesses refused to give up and Anissa Lahmari tapped in the rebound.
It was elation for Morocco and devastation for Germany when the final whistles blew. As I said, I don’t like using “stunning” lightly, but my colleague Michael Cox said of the moment, “Put simply, it might be the biggest shock in Women’s World Cup history.”
Moving out and up
With plenty of unexpected group-stage finishes, comes some exciting knockout round games. Here is what’s in store after the tournament’s first day of rest. All games can be seen in the U.S. on FOX or FS1.
Saturday, Aug. 5
- Switzerland vs. Spain (Eden Park, Auckland; 5 p.m. local / 1 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. UK)
- Japan vs. Norway (Wellington Regional; 8 p.m. local / 4 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. UK)
Sunday, Aug. 6
- Netherlands vs. South Africa (Sydney Football Stadium; 12 p.m. local / 10 p.m. ET [Saturday] / 3 a.m. UK)
- Sweden vs. United States (Melbourne Rectangular; 7 p.m. local / 5 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. UK)
Monday, Aug. 7
- England vs. Nigeria (Lang Park, Brisbane; 5:30 p.m. local / 6:30 a.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. UK)
- Australia vs. Denmark (Stadium Australia, Sydney; 8:30 p.m. local / 3:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. UK)
Tuesday, Aug. 8
- Colombia vs. Jamaica (Hindmarsh, Adelaide; 8:30 p.m. local / 4 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. UK)
- France vs. Morocco (Melbourne Rectangular; 6 p.m. local / 7 a.m. ET / 12 p.m. UK)
We knew the expanded World Cup would bring something different. Turns out different is really good. Four teams are making their last 16 debuts, including three African nations who will appear in the knockout round for the first time.
Steph’s Set Piece
Let Them Dance
Former U.S. international and FOX Sports commentator Heather O’Reilly alluded to the ongoing criticism of the USWNT after Germany’s early World Cup exit, saying something about the importance of celebrating even over what seems like small wins.
The USWNT made it out of the group stage. That was always their No. 1 goal.
In the postgame coverage, Carli Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner herself, had a snap reaction to images of players dancing and smiling after the 0-0 draw with Portugal.
“I have never witnessed something like that,” she said. “There’s a difference between being respectful of the fans and saying hello to your family, but to be dancing?”
The public and social media debate was instant and vociferous.
But there is a refrain that I have been using in this tournament: teams are icebergs. We get maybe 10%, if that, from observing them. The other 90% is a mystery; not known to us, nor meant for us. And so it’s frustrating that yet again, a thread of criticism has started to unravel around the U.S. women’s national team, essentially, being too happy.
GO DEEPER
It’s time to stop criticizing players for being ‘too happy’ at the World Cup
On Thursday in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, USWNT captain Lindsey Horan addressed what she called “noise.”
“You have no idea every single training, what we’re doing individually, collectively, et cetera,” Horan said. “So for anyone to question our mentality hurts a little bit, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. I don’t really care. It’s (about) what’s going on inside of here.”
It’s also not a question of motivation. And the team’s ability to turn the page and look forward instead of back has always been a crucial component of tournament mentality. So if the criticism is the players aren’t upset enough, then consider that there are many ways to motivate, and negative emotion isn’t always the answer.
What Is The USWNT Saying?
‘It wouldn’t be a major tournament if we weren’t facing Sweden’
I’m off to Melbourne, Australia tomorrow and so is the U.S. It’s all in preparation for yet another major tournament rematch with Sweden. On their final day in Auckland ahead of the round of 16, U.S. captain Horan and forward Lynn Williams took their seats in front of the media. Here’s what Horan had to say about Sweden:
“I feel like it wouldn’t be a major tournament if we weren’t facing Sweden. We always find a way to play them in these big tournaments.”
The U.S. will now have played Sweden in six World Cups, in addition to in the opening match of the last Olympics (which Sweden won 3-0).
USWNT Captain, Lindsey Horan, says she’s aware of what it will take for their upcoming matchup against Sweden in the World Cup.
“It’s going to be a battle.” pic.twitter.com/CpN5WtRI6A
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) August 3, 2023
“It’s a team that can bring the aerial presence on set pieces, the crossing ability and getting people in the box,” Williams said. “So I think that’s one thing that we absolutely need to match defensively. But on the attack, that’s something that we are so good at, as well. So it’s being able to realize and focus on what they’re good at, but also use that to our advantage as well.”
Fun Time World Cup Trivia
Test Your Knowledge
If you don’t want the answer to yesterday’s question, stop scrolling now….
Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) and Alexandra Popp (Germany) are tied at the top of the Golden Boot race for this tournament, though Miyazawa has a chance to add to her tally. Meanwhile, Marta still holds the record for most World Cup goals of all time.
Today’s question…
Who is the lowest-ranked team to make it to the knockout round in tournament history? Bonus: what was their rank?
(Photo by James Whitehead/Getty Images)
