Day eight of the Fifa Women’s World Cup features the United States versus the Netherlands, Portugal versus Vietnam, and Australia versus Nigeria.
On Thursday, the United States will face the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2019 Women’s World Cup final in one of the most exciting group stage matches in Australia and New Zealand.
The USA won 2-0 four years ago, and this rematch will most likely determine who finishes first in Group E.
Meanwhile, in the other group game, Portugal will face Vietnam, while co-hosts Australia will aim to clinch their second win when they face Nigeria in Group B.
Here’s what to expect on Day 8 of the Women’s World Cup.
USA v Netherlands
When the United States and the Netherlands meet in a fascinating match, there will be a lot on the stake.
Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle’s goals in France four years ago assured the USA’s championship defence, and their opponents will be out for vengeance on Thursday.
“This will be an example of modern women’s football,” remarked Andries Jonker, coach of the Netherlands.
“It will be a fight from the first minute to the last with teams that want to compete, teams that want to win, teams that respect each other, and teams that don’t fear each other.”
“Both teams want to win the group, so this is going to be a really good match.”
Lineth Beerensteyn will miss the game after injuring her ankle in the Dutch’s 1-0 win over Portugal in the group opener.
The United States is attempting to win a third World Cup in a row and began their 2023 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam.
“For us, it’s just a very important game in the group stage, and we will do whatever it takes,” manager Vlatko Andonovski stated.
The US had 26 shots on goal against Vietnam, but only seven were on goal, and Andonovski wants his team to be more ruthless.
“We’ve spent time looking into it in different ways,” he added of their efforts to enhance their performance in front of goal.
“On the field in training, but also watching videos, talking with individual players, and advising them on their approach.”
Rachel Brown-Finnis, a BBC Sport football specialist, predicts: This is a rematch of the 2019 final, and I expect another USA victory… but it will be close.
It’s difficult to say how the world champions are doing after their first game because Vietnam didn’t really try to get out of their own half, but we’ll learn a lot more about them today.
The Netherlands haven’t been in top form for a while, but I believe they’re getting better. 2-1.
Key stat: The Netherlands have gone winless in their last nine meetings with the United States in all competitions, losing eight times and allowing at least two goals in each of those games (a total of 28 goals).
Portugal v Vietnam
Both teams are searching for their first win of the tournament after losing their opening-round games.
Portugal is making their Women’s World Cup debut and will be looking for three points against defending champions USA in their last group game.
Vietnam is also competing in the competition for the first time, and they showed great enthusiasm in their first loss to the United States.
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: Portugal didn’t get going against the Netherlands, but they’ll be considerably more aggressive here.
It is obvious that Vietnam will not advance from Group E, but the experience of playing at this level will be invaluable for them, as they demonstrated against the USA. 2-0.
Key stat: Against the United States, Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung (73y 31d) became the competition’s oldest coach to take charge of a team in a Women’s World Cup match.
Australia v Nigeria
More injuries have struck Australia as the co-hosts strive for a spot in the last 16.
The Matildas are already without injured forward Sam Kerr for Thursday’s encounter, and now teammate forward Mary Fowler, who replaced the Chelsea star in their first game, is also out due to a head blow suffered during training.
Caitlin Foord is the lone recognized striker for Arsenal. Defender Aivi Luik is also out after suffering a concussion during training.
“Everything was fine; we were just unlucky with two head knocks.” “We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary,” Australia coach Tony Gustavsson remarked.
“The players persisted. They’re on a mission and are only concerned with what they can control, so credit to them in [Tuesday’s] training for how they handled it.”
Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum is not taking Australia’s depleted squad lightly as they try to build on their 0-0 draw with Canada in their Group B opener.
“I don’t think it changes our tactics or what we’re trying to accomplish.” “They obviously have a lot of weapons that can hurt you,” the American remarked.
“We know their team’s strength; I know a lot of their players from when I was coaching in the [American] NWSL, and I know their quality.”
“As a result, we cannot go into the game believing we have an advantage.” We have to stick to our gameplan and the way we’ve been preparing for them since the Canada game.”
Brown-Finnis’ prediction: Australia is missing Sam Kerr, and it is unclear when she will be able to play again after suffering a calf injury on the day of the event.
Fingers crossed she returns soon, but Australia will face a difficult game without her.
Nigeria shown against Canada that they are difficult to beat, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they got another point here as well, leaving the Matildas with much more work to do to advance out of their group. 1-1
Nigeria was involved in a goalless draw in their opening match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time, in what was their 27th match in the competition.
