We are down to the quarter finals in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Only eight teams remain standing.
Today, October 11, Spain will take on Netherlands at Wellington at 11am. And Japan will take on Sweden in Auckland at 5.30pm.
Tomorrow is another big day, with Australia facing France at 5pm at Brisbane Stadium. And England take on Colombia at 8.30pm at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps was full of relief after they escaped past Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals.
After being reduced to ten players, England held on in a thrilling stalemate against Nigeria before claiming a 4-2 win on penalties.
Goalkeeper Mary Earps told FIFA her side did it the hard way in Melbourne. “I don’t think we were at our best, and then obviously we went down to ten and it was a really tough game for us,” she said. “But I’m buzzing that we got the job done.”
Earps was full of praise for the ever-improving Super Falcons. “[Nigeria] pressed us really well, they were really physical,” she said. “They were great competitors and sometimes that’s what it comes down to.”
England Defender Niamh Charles told FIFA that watching the last-16 clash with Nigeria – that the Lionesses won after a penalty shootout – was “intense and difficult”, but she knew that their work on the training pitch would get them through.
“I think we really pride ourselves on being resilient and finding a way to win,” she explained. “Although it was tense at times, I definitely still have massive belief in the team, and I think you could see that the energy was there. The workload that everyone got through was incredible.”
That victory secured the Lionesses a place in the quarterfinals. They will take on surprise package Colombia, who have lit up the tournament on and off the pitch.
Charles insists, however, the team are looking forward to the test. Colombia have already defeated a team of world-class ability in Germany, and England are under no illusions that the game will be straightforward.
“They’re having a great run in the tournament, and they’ve got a massive fanbase as well, so I think the atmosphere they’ll create is going to be incredible,” Charles said.
“It’s going to be another tough test. They’re not here by accident, they’re a very, very good team. We’re looking forward to playing them.”
England went into the tournament as one of the favourites after their famous win at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022. Charles, however, explained how the team are focused on the task at hand are not getting ahead of themselves.
“We’re here and we’ve got a dream, but so many other teams have as well,” she expressed. “So, I think we’re just going to focus on taking it one game at a time, and hopefully we’re doing the nation proud.
“Hopefully, the next game is going to be another proud moment.”
Australia defender Clare Hunt is convinced the Matildas can be world champions. She told FIFA: “We’re lethal in attack and solid in defence. We’ve had two clean sheets in a row, and we’ve scored six goals in the past two games. We’ve got all the ingredients to win this thing.”
On the elements of the last-16 performance which have fuelled that belief, she added: “Our transitional game is really positive – and it’s something that wins us games. Against Denmark, I feel all the girls on the park contributed to the attack and the defence.
“We scored two great goals and I think Caitlin Foord was immense. Having Sam [Kerr] come on is huge, too, and the midfield is also really solid. On the whole, it was an amazing night and it felt great to get the job done.”
Kerr’s return from the calf injury which kept her out of Australia’s group-stage fixtures means coach Gustavsson can now call on one of the most feared strikers in world football. The Matildas captain, who was introduced as a substitute for the final ten minutes of the Denmark game, gathered the team in a huddle post-match to deliver a rousing speech.
“She said this is just the beginning for us,” Hunt revealed. “We’ve got a lot of positivity in the group and we’re already looking forward to the next game. It’s a massive relief to have Sam back. The crowd showed their appreciation for her, and the atmosphere was incredible when she came on. As a team, we’re so happy to have her back available.”
Limited tickets remain available. Keep checking the ticketing site and the RESALE PLATFORM as more tickets may be added for certain games.
Anglo&Celtic and Irish Queenslander are part of the Community Champions program for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This group of more than 200 Community Champions, media, community leaders and organisations worked tirelessly to help make this event the record-smashing “Greatest Women’s World Cup ever!” according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
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