2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Argentina V South Africa
Basement girls in group G of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Argentina and South Africa settled for a draw at the Dunedin Stadium in New Zealand.
Despite fans witnessing four goals being scored in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup encounter, neither Argentina or South Africa did enough to secure victory.
Desire Ellis’ side got the opener in the 30th minute via Linda Motlhalo and they doubled their advantage in the second 45.
Talisman Thembi Kgatlana scored in the 66th minute and it seemed like the South Africans would coast to victory.
However, due to lack of concentration the 2022 African Women’s Cup Of Nations champions lost their guard and they were ultimately punished.
Two quick fire goals from Sophie Braun and Romina Nunez in the 74th and 79th minute respectively, ensured both sides ended the encounter even-steven.
German Portanova’s side sit 4th in Group G while Desire Ellis’ ladies sit 3rd, with two games played so far.
Both sides still have a chance at going through to the next round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup depending on the outcome of Saturday’s showdown involving Sweden and Italy.
Three yellow cards were shown in the game and they were brandished to Kholosa Biyana of South Africa in the 43rd minute, Miriam Mayorga of Argentina in the 1st minute of additional time in the first 45 and Tiisetso Makhubela of South Africa in 56th minute.
Definitely it’s all to play for, for both teams in their final group games against superior oppositions in view.
Argentina would trade tackles with Sweden on Wednesday, July 2, 2023 and South Africa would battle Italy on Wednesday, July 2, 2023.
England V Denmark
The Lionesses were utterly dominant against the Danish ladies and the scoreline didn’t paint the full picture.
Lauren James scored the opener in the 6th minute after smashing a remarkable 20-yard attempt into the far corner.
Sarina Wiegman’s side continued to show their class in the big stage, having now picked up two wins in two games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, they will be worried about their inability to put the ball into the back of the net.
England also suffered another blow in the tournament as midfielder Keira Walsh was stretched off due to a knee injury.
They were already missing the services of marquee players like Frank Kirby, Leah Williamson and Beth Mead due to injury.
Denmark won their first game of the tournament defeating Haiti by 1-0, while England defeated China.
The red and white will now battle China in the final group affair and they will be watching keenly to see the outcome of Haiti and China’s battle on Friday, June 28.
China can usurp Denmark at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Either of the two teams can topple Lars Søndergaard side depending on the outcome of the clash.
The Lionesses will confirm their entry into the next round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup if Haiti win or draw against China and they could go unscathed into the next round if they also defeat Haiti in their final group game.
Lauren James goal in the opening stages of the game was England’s first goal from open play since the 23rd minute of their Women’s Finalissima clash with Brazil on the 6th of April, a timeframe of 367 minutes.
The Danish ladies were also threatening during the game but the Lionesses had them in their grasp.
No yellow card was dished out by Swedish referee Tess Olofsson throughout the 90 minutes of action.
China V Haiti
The Steel Roses of China came out victorious over tournament debutants Haiti in the last encounter for matchday 9.
Shuang Wang came off the bench to hand China the win against Nicolas Delepine side with a well placed penalty in the 74th minute.
Haiti can take solace in the fact that they aren’t getting whooped like other nations like Zambia, who are also tournament debutants.
China still remain in third place despite the victory, having lost to 2nd place Denmark in their opening game of the tournament.
Qingxia Shui’s ladies by virtue of that loss don’t have a good head-to-head record with the Danes in the tournament.
It was a keenly contested affair between the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up and Les Bicolores.
China who have turned a shadow of themselves in recent years might use this tournament as a springboard to set things back in motion.
They are ranked 14th on the FIFA Women’s World rankings, 39 places higher than Haiti, who are ranked 53rd.
Spanish referee handed out three cards in the encounter, with one red card shown in the 26th minute to China’s Rui Zhang.
Melchie Dumornay of Haiti also picked up a yellow card alongside manager Nicolas Delepine.
