2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Switzerland 1-5 Spain
After grueling actions in the group stage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the knockout rounds kicked off on Saturday July 5, 2023.
Group A winners Switzerland took to the turf to trade tackles with Spain, who qualified as second-placed team in Group C.
However, it appears they were an exchange of roles as Switzerland were annihilated by Spain at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati put the La Roja in front on the 5th minute, before Spanish defender Laia Codina put the ball into her own net in the 11th minute.
Fast-forward 6 minutes later, winger Alba Redondo took Spain into the lead and Jorge Vilda’s side continued to assert their dominance over Switzerland.
The entirety of the goals scored in the encounter were scored by the Spaniards, obviously with the inclusion of the own goal.
La Roja were totally in control for the entire 90 minutes
Spain were largely in control from start to finish as they demonstrated tiki-taka for major parts of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup game.
Aitana Bonmati got her brace in the 36th minute, scoring the third for the Spanish ladies in the encounter before Laia Codina scored a redeeming goal in the 45th minute.
La Roja have made history in the tournament as they qualified for the quarter-final for the 1st time in their history.
However, for Inka Grings side, it appears all their impressive performances in the group stage were a fluke as they have been battered by a quality-choked Spain.
Switzerland have now crashed out of the round of 16 in their two appearances at the Women’s World Cup, while Spain progressed into the next round.
They would face the side that comes out victorious in the clash involving Netherland and South Africa.
Legendary midfielder Jennifer Hermoso scored the fifth goal via a curling effort to put the icing on a well made cake.
Stats for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Switzerland V Spain
Spain had 70% of the possession while Switzerland had 30% and that definitely indicates proper dominance from the La Roja.
The Red Crosses had 2 shots in the entire 90 minutes, while Spain had 26 shots in total.
Jorge Vilda’s side had 10 shots on target, while Switzerland had only one shot on target.
Every of those stars definitely paints the picture of the genesis of the annihilation as one side showed class while the other couldn’t match up.
Only one yellow card was shown throughout the entire duration of the game and it was brandished to Julia Stierli of Switzerland in the 73rd minute.
Spain had previously played against Switzerland only once and it was on the 6th of March 2019.
That encounter ended 2-0, with Jennifer Hermoso and Melanie Muller scoring to give La Roja the victory.
Eden Park had an attendance of 43,217 spectators, while Welsh referee Cheryl Foster took charge of the first clash in the round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Japan 3-1 Norway
It was a comprehensive victory for Japan over Norway as they did the job elegantly at the Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand.
Futoshi Ikeda went in front via an own goal from Norway’s Ingrid Syrstad Eng in the 15th minute, as she deflected a ball sent to the penalty area into the bottom-right corner.
However, Guro Reiten brought Hege Riise’s side level 5 minutes later via a nicely placed header.
West Ham’s Risa Shimzu took the Japanese in front in the second half before Hinata Miyazawa sealed the victory with the third goal in the 81st minute.
Miyazawa broke through the Red Sea of Norway’s defense following a delightful pass from Aoba Fujino.
The clash involving two former Women’s World Cup champions ended in Japan’s way and it was a true display of superiority over Norway.
Throughout the 90 minutes of action no yellow card was shown by referee Edina Alves Batista of Brazil.
Futoshi Ikeda’s side would face the team that comes out victorious between Sweden and the United States Of America.
