Spain and Japan turned the primary groups to clinch their place within the World Cup’s knockout levels, cruising into the final 16 and condemning Costa Rica and Zambia to an early exit.
But it’s all nonetheless to play for in most teams, particularly New Zealand’s Group A the place all 4 groups may progress with one match remaining.
As for the Matildas, a possible date with England awaits within the spherical of 16, relying on the end result of Group B and D.
Australia would ideally prefer to keep away from the Lionesses till later within the event.
Find out the place each group sits and what every nation should do to qualify for the knockout levels beneath.
GROUP A
(Winner performs runner-up Group C, runner-up performs Group C winner)
Feasibly all to play for within the remaining group video games with Norway nonetheless a distant likelihood regardless of just one level from its opening two video games. The Norwegians would wish to defeat Phillipines and obtain a four-goal swing with Switzerland which tops Group A. If New Zealand gained 2-0 and Norway 2-0, the Norwegians would progress in second spot behind the co-hosts, for instance. Switzerland can attain the spherical of 16 with a draw in opposition to New Zealand, whereas a draw would even be sufficient for the Kiwis if Phillipines don’t win. Alen Stajcic’s workforce will attain the knockout rounds if it defeats Norway — no matter what occurs within the different recreation. A draw within the New Zealand-Switzerland match and a Phillipines win would end in Stajcic’s facet topping the group, which might be a exceptional final result. A troublesome match-up awaits in opposition to both Spain or Japan for whoever progresses.
GROUP B
(Winner performs runner-up Group D, runner-up performs winner Group D)
Republic of Ireland was successfully knocked out of the event when it misplaced to Canada in Perth on Wednesday night time.
The Matildas are at risk of becoming a member of them as spectators for the knockout levels after dropping to 3rd after a 3-2 loss to Nigeria on Thursday night time.
Nigeria jumped to the highest of the group and now have an opportunity to be shock group winners f they’ll defeat Ireland of their remaining match.
Australia wants a win over Canada in Melbourne to ensure it qualifies.
If Ireland defeated Nigeria and Australia drew with Canada, the Canadians would prime the group with 5 factors.
Australia could be equal with Nigeria on 4 factors and will undergo if Ireland gained by two objectives or extra.
If Ireland gained by one aim and each groups completed on 4 factors and 0 aim distinction, the subsequent tiebreaker used is objectives scored — each Nigeria and Australia have three which is why Alana Kennedy’s late header mattered a lot.
If the groups are nonetheless tied, Nigeria would progress due to its win over the Matildas.
GROUP C
(Winner performs runner-up Group A, runner-up performs winner Group A)
Spain and Japan have been the primary two nations to achieve the spherical of 16. Their match will determine who finishes prime of the group, whereas Costa Rica and Zambia are taking part in for pleasure. The winner of the group will tackle the runner-up from Group A, which is huge open with two matches left. The runner-up from Group C takes on the Group A winner, with Switzerland in pole place to assert that spot.
GROUP D
(Winner performs runner-up Group B, runner-up performs winner Group B)
Still two matches to play for every nation on this group, with England’s match in opposition to Denmark on Friday night time poised to determine prime spot. The Lionesses weren’t at their greatest in a 1-0 win in opposition to Haiti to start out the event however are the fourth-ranked workforce on the earth and regarded one of many World Cup favourites. Denmark and China are ranked thirteenth and 14th whereas Haiti is 53rd. Haiti would wish to defend as staunchly because it did in opposition to England in its remaining video games to face an opportunity of pinching second.
GROUP E
(Winner performs runner-up Group G, runner-up performs winner Group G)
Tournament favourites USA performed out one of many matches of the group stage in opposition to Netherlands, coming from a aim all the way down to earn a 1-1 draw on Thursday. The Dutch have been the dominant facet within the opening half and that end result has left the door ajar for Portugal to make a play for second. Logic says USA ought to defeat Portugal in its final group match and Netherlands ought to deal with Vietnam, which suggests prime spot could be selected aim distinction. USA has a two-goal cushion on Netherlands however the world’s ninth-ranked workforce takes on Vietnam in its final match. USA defeated Vietnam 3-0 in its event opener and had 28 photographs to 0.
GROUP F
(Winner performs runner-up Group H, runner-up performs winner Group H)
Brazil has put itself within the field seat to safe prime spot, though Saturday’s recreation in opposition to France may flip this group on its head. If France defeats Brazil and Jamaica overcomes Panama, it might depart three groups on 4 factors with a match to play. France would then be favoured to defeat Panama which would depart Brazil and Jamaica taking part in for the final qualifying spot within the spherical of 16. The Brazil-France match might be probably the most necessary of the group levels, except Panama causes an upset in opposition to Jamaica — which can be with out suspended captain Khadija Shaw.
GROUP G
(Winner performs runner-up Group E, runner-up performs winner Group E)
One of essentially the most aggressive teams on this World Cup, with outsider South Africa proving they are going to be no pushover by nearly taking some extent off Sweden. The South Africans led 1-0 after 48 minutes and it took a Ninetieth-minute winner for Sweden to take all three factors in opposition to the world’s 54th-ranked nation. Italy and Argentina’s opening recreation was broadly considered because the possible decider for second spot behind Sweden. Whichever nation loses out of Argentina and South Africa on Saturday morning will nearly actually be out of the World Cup. A attract that recreation would depart each groups needing a win on the ultimate matchday to face any likelihood of reaching the spherical of 16.
GROUP H
(Winner performs runner-up group F, runner-up performs winner Group F)
Hard to see a world the place Germany doesn’t prime this group after romping previous Morocco 6-0. That prospect makes the duel between France and Brazil for prime spot in Group F all of the extra necessary as they attempt to dodge a gathering with the event powerhouse within the spherical of 16. Colombia is well-placed to progress to the knockout levels after its 2-0 overcome South Korea. A Brazil-Colombia spherical of 16 match could be huge. South Korea is best than it performed in opposition to Colombia however will possible must take no less than some extent off Germany now in its final group match. Unless Germany rests gamers in preparation for the spherical of 16, that’s going to be a tall order.
Originally revealed as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Latest group tables, Matildas standings
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
