The group stage has now concluded, with plenty of drama and upsets as three of the world’s top 10 were sent home early and some of the less heralded nations took their moment in the spotlight. Here we look ahead to the Round of 16 at a tournament where we have all learned to expect the unexpected
Switzerland v Spain (Saturday, Auckland)
Switzerland were solid if unspectacular in securing top spot in Group A, beating debutants Philippines 2-0 before goalless draws against Norway and co-hosts Aotearoa New Zealand secured qualification, matching their previous appearance in 2015.
Spain went from one extreme to the other, becoming one of the first teams to qualify for the knockout stages after following up a 3-0 win over Costa Rica with a 5-0 win over Zambia. That set up a group decider with Japan, which the Asians won 4-0 despite Spain dominating possession.
Japan v Norway (Saturday, Wellington)
While Japan went into the tournament as a team in transition, they ended the group stage with many people tipping the 2011 champions to go all the way again. They topped their group with a flawless record, winning all three games without conceding, scoring 11 goals. Hinata Miyazawa is joint top scorer in the tournament with four.
After losing to Aotearoa New Zealand and being held by Switzerland, it looked as though 1995 winners Norway would be making a second group stage exit from a tournament in as many years. However, Hege Riise’s side turned on the style against Panama, Sophie Roman Haug’s hat-trick inspiring a 6-0 win over Philippines
Netherlands v South Africa (Sunday, Sydney)
2019 runners-up Netherlands topped Group E, holding defending champions United States in between a 1-0 win over Portugal and a 7-0 thrashing of Vietnam, the biggest win of the tournament so far.
After losing their opening game to Sweden despite taking the lead, South Africa secured their first ever World Cup point with a 2-2 draw with Argentina. Their final group game saw Banyana Banyana qualify with a dramatic 3-2 win over Italy, Chrestinah Kgatlana getting a 92nd minute winner.
Sweden v United States (Sunday, Melbourne)
2003 runners-up Sweden were one of only three teams, along with Japan and England, who won all three group games, coming from behind to beat South Africa 2-1 before victories over Italy and Argentina without conceding.
United States are looking to become the first senior team to win three successive World Cups and began with a 3-0 win over Vietnam. After being held by Netherlands they were the width of a post away from being knocked out by Portugal, but held on to a goalless draw to scrape through.
England v Nigeria (Monday, Brisbane)
England were unconvincing when beginning their campaign with back-to-back 1-0 victories over Haiti and Denmark. However, they turned on the style when it mattered most as they thrashed China 6-1 to secure top spot.
Nigeria began with a 0-0 draw against Olympic champions Canada to leave Group B wide open. They beat 3-2 by co-hosts Australia in a dramatic encounter, before another 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland saw them through
Australia v Denmark (Monday, Sydney)
Australia were rocked by an injury to captain Sam Kerr before their opening game against Republic of Ireland, which they won 1-0, before defeat to Nigeria put their place in the tournament in jeopardy. In their crunch clash with Canada, they won 4-0 to top the group.
Denmark edged China in their opening game, before a narrow defeat to England. Their place in the knockout stage wasn’t secured until deep into added time against Haiti, when a 2-0 win saw the Danes finish as runners-up
Colombia v Jamaica (Tuesday, Melbourne)
It speaks volumes for the way the tournament has gone that beating a South Korea side eight places above them in the world rankings wasn’t even Colombia’s most surprising result, as they followed that up by stunning two-time champions Germany. They were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in their final game, but still topped the group on goal difference.
Few would’ve given Jamaica a chance of qualifying from a group which contained France and Brazil, especially as they had a crowdfund just to make it to the tournament. However, 0-0 draws against the two giants and a first ever World Cup win against Panama sent the Reggae Girls through.
France v Morocco (Tuesday, Adelaide)
Whilst France were disappointing in their opening draw with Jamaica, they were much improved in a 2-1 win over Brazil which put qualification in their hands. A remarkable 6-3 win over Panama in their final game saw Herve Renard’s side top the group.
Morocco were one of eight sides making their World Cup debut this year and the second-lowest ranked side (72nd), with only fellow newcomers Zambia lower. They began with a 6-0 defeat against Germany, but then claimed 1-0 wins over South Korea and Colombia to reach the knockout stages- the only debutant to do so.
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