Rachel Daly pays tribute to father with celebration after scoring first World Cup goal
The final day of group stage action takes place in the Women’s World Cup as Colombia, Germany and Morocco all hope to reach the last-16. Colombia have the best chance after their shock victory over Germany in their previous outing. Manuela Vanegas scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner to put the South America side top of Group H and needing just a point to ensure they progress to the knockout rounds.
They take on Morocco who have hopes of causing an upset of their own. The African side currently sit third in the table on the same amount of points as Germany. To have any chance of making it out of the group they need to defeat Colombia, by a big margin and hope the Germans drop points.
Meanwhile, Germany have the easiest task on paper. South Korea are bottom of the group having lost their opening two fixtures. A win for Alexandra Popp and co. should be enough to get them through thanks to their healthy goal difference yet they may have to settle for second place. Check out our best bets and predictions for Thursday’s matches.
Elsewhere, Lauren James shone again on with two stunning goals as England put in their best performance of the Women’s World Cup so far earlier this week to sweep aside China 6-1 and march into the last 16. The Lionesses are now preparing for a clash with Nigeria for a place in the quarter-finals.
Follow all the latest news and match updates below:
World Cup LIVE: Colombia vs Morocco and Germany vs South Korea
Show latest update
1691051113
Women’s World Cup latest – Wiegman hails England adaptability
England boss Sarina Wiegman lauded the Lionesses’ adaptability after a system shake-up sparked a thumping 6-1 victory over China at the Women’s World Cup.
The Lionesses had not scored more than once in their opening two matches but came alive on a crisp night in front of 13,497 at Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium to seal top spot in Group D.
Wiegman took a gamble as she swapped England’s usual 4-3-3 for a 3-5-2 formation, and she was rewarded with goals from five different players including a brace from Chelsea prodigy Lauren James, who also picked up three assists.
“I think we are growing into this tournament,” said Wiegman, whose side will travel back to their Terrigal, New South Wales base camp before flying to Brisbane to meet Nigeria in the knockout stages.
Luke Baker3 August 2023 09:25
1691050513
Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today
Alessia Russo gave the European champions the perfect start with a goal in the fourth minute before Lauren Hemp and James added two more to give England a comfortable lead at the break at Hindmarsh Stadium. Asian Champions China, who exit in the group stage for the first time in eight editions of the World Cup, came out firing in the second half and got a goal back through a Wang Shuang penalty.
James grabbed her third goal, however, before Chloe Kelly and Rachel Daly also found the net to give England an emphatic victory as they head off to Brisbane to play Nigeria on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the Women’s World Cup.
Luke Baker3 August 2023 09:15
1691049940
Women’s World Cup: Two Round of 16 slots to be filled
So that’s what the four sides need to progress to the Round of 16, with those two final spots in the knockout rounds to be filled. Group H’s two representatives will play their last-16 fixtures on Tuesday 8 August – the group winner will travel to Melbourne for a meeting with Jamaica, so impressive so far, while France are on their way to Adelaide and await the runners-up.
Here’s the full schedule for the first knockout round – plenty of tasty ties.
Match 49: Switzerland vs Spain (06:00, Auckland)
Match 50: Japan vs Norway (09:00, Wellington)
Match 51: Netherlands vs South Africa (03:00, Sydney)
Match 52: Sweden vs United States (10:00, Melbourne)
Match 54: England vs Nigeria (08:30, Brisbane)
Match 53: Australia vs Denmark (11:30, Sydney)
Match 56: Winners Group H vs Jamaica (09:00, Melbourne)
Match 55: France vs Runners-up Group H (12:00, Adelaide)
Harry Latham-Coyle3 August 2023 09:05
1691049673
Women’s World Cup: Group H permutations
So, what does each team in Group H need to do to reach the knockouts? I’m glad you asked!
All the permutations are below and remember, those matches kick off at 11am with us bringing you all the action.
What does each team need to qualify?
– Due to Morocco’s goal difference, Colombia would need to lose by at least four goals to be in danger of missing out on the last-16. A win or draw would confirm their place as group winners.
– Germany will go through with a win, regardless of the result in the Colombia vs Morocco game.
– If Germany draw, they would go through in second place as long as Morocco fail to win against Colombia.
– If Germany lose and Morocco win or draw against Colombia, they would be out. Germany could lose and go through, but they would need to Colombia to beat Morocco and South Korea to win by no more than five goals.
– Morocco will go through if they win and Germany fail to beat South Korea.
– Morocco would only go through with a draw if Germany lose to South Korea.
– Due to goal difference, Morocco cannot go through with a defeat.
– South Korea can only go through with a win against Germany, combined with Morocco losing to Colombia.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker3 August 2023 09:01
1691048713
Women’s World Cup: Group H standings, fixtures and results
We turn our attention to today’s final two matches of the group stage – South Korea vs Germany and Colombia vs Morocco.
Group H has proved to be a fascinating group and here’s how it stands and what has happened so far.
Group H standings
1. Colombia – 6 points (+3 goal difference)
2. Germany – 3 points (+5)
3. Morocco – 3 points (-5)
4. South Korea – 0 points (-3)
Results and fixtures
South Korea vs Germany (11am BST)
Morocco vs Colombia (11am BST)
Luke Baker3 August 2023 08:45
1691047873
When do England play next? Women’s World Cup fixtures and route to the final
Lauren James inspired England to a thrilling Women’s World Cup victory over China and now the Lionesses are into the knock-out stages of the tournament.
The Chelsea forward has produced some spectacular strikes already down under, with England rebounding from the injury loss of Keira Walsh.
Sarina Wiegman has reshuffled the pack spectacularly and England have regained their confidence, particularly in front of goal.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Lionesses’ next challenge in Australia:
Luke Baker3 August 2023 08:31
1691047213
Sarina Wiegman’s brave switch solves England’s Keira Walsh problem at Women’s World Cup
Rip it up and start again: if Keira Walsh’s injury spelled the end of something at the Women’s World Cup, it only did for England’s starting formation. Against China, Sarina Wiegman made her most dramatic change as Lionesses manager yet, switching to a 3-5-2 system to counter the blow of losing their key midfielder. In doing so, Wiegman created something new, unlocking England’s best performance in months.
The Lionesses looked like themselves again, and while England’s 6-1 win against China made sure of their progress to the last-16 as Group D winners, as much focus will be on how Wiegman has recalibrated and recharged her side ahead of the knockout stages. After two 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark there was an element of danger coming into the decider, but from the opening moments, the tempo and fluidity of England’s performance erased any doubts.
Luke Baker3 August 2023 08:20
1691046313
Genius Lauren James takes over Women’s World Cup — but England must learn from rivals
Much like Lauren James’s divine second goal, this might be dropping beautifully for England. Certainly, Sarina Wiegman suddenly has clarity in a World Cup characterised by uncertainty and unpredictability. James’s very role illustrates that. The young winger’s influence from that wide role was a driving force in this crushing 6-1 win over China that confirmed an expected first place.
It is a first place, however, that suddenly looks very different. The path to the semi-finals, at least, is something else that’s so much clearer.
It now won’t feature Australia or Canada, and may not have any of France, Brazil or Germany. A thrilling Colombia and dangerous last-16 opponents Nigeria are huge threats, but there is the prospect that such developing teams have had their main highs. Just as importantly, the World Cup’s stand-out performers so far, in Japan, are on the other side of the draw.
On that, and the elusive momentum that defines tournaments, England now have none of the sudden doubts that are afflicting other previous favourites in Spain and – above all – the USA.
Luke Baker3 August 2023 08:05
1691045413
Women’s World Cup latest – Lauren James: England’s new superstar taking World Cup by storm
Technically gifted England forward Lauren James has already become one of the breakout stars of the 2023 Women’s World Cup for her thrilling performance against China.
While at times ‘LJ’ has faced criticism for being inconsistent, on the biggest stage she has hit her best form with two goals and three assists in the final group match as England sailed through to the knockout round.
England manager Sarina Wiegman hailed James for doing “special things” during the 6-1 win over China, while the player herself told the TV cameras after the game that the performance was what “dreams are made of,”
But her rise to the top has been an interesting story.
Read more about the rise of England’s new superstar, Lauren James, below:
Luke Baker3 August 2023 07:50
1691044743
Women’s World Cup tips: Best bets and predictions for Thursday’s matches
With the group stages of the Women’s World Cup coming to a close, UK betting sites have priced up the final round of fixtures in Group H.
The latest Women’s World Cup odds suggest both games will be one-sided affairs, with 2003 World Cup winners Germany seeking a win over South Korea to secure their place in the knockout rounds, while Colombia need just a point against Morocco to solidify top spot.
Below, we analyse both fixtures with betting value in mind.
Luke Baker3 August 2023 07:39
