The Women’s World Cup is well underway in Australia and New Zealand, with the knockout stages of the tournament set to produce more fireworks Down Under before the final takes place at Stadium Australia on August 20.
Given how things have panned out so far, it would be no surprise to see an outsider in the Women’s World Cup 2023 odds book their place in the final and potentially get their hands on the sought-after trophy in Sydney.
The group stages of the tournament were littered with shocks as some of the biggest teams in the world stumbled out of the blocks, and some even paid the ultimate price with an early flight home and their tails between their legs.
It is arguably the perfect opportunity for England, who themselves suffered a slow start with lacklustre 1-0 wins over Haiti and Demark before beating China 6-1, to capitalise and get their hands on the World Cup trophy for the first time.
There is still a way to go and anything could happen in the business end of the tournament. So, for now, let’s take a look at some of the biggest shocks so far.
Germany crash out in the group stages
One of the favourites prior to the tournament getting underway last month, Germany had a World Cup to forget. The World No.2 side had never failed to get out of their group in the previous eight renewals of the tournament, and that impressive record was expected to continue Down Under as they appeared to have much more quality than their Group H rivals.
The two-time World Cup winners got off to the perfect start as well, thrashing Morocco 6-0 in their opening game in what looked like a statement of intent from the Germans. However, the European Championship finalists were stunned by Colombia in a thrilling ending that saw Alexandra Popp level the scores at 1-1 in the 89th minute, only for the South Americans to strike again six minutes into added time.
With a final game against South Korea, Germany still appeared to be in the driving seat for progression to the knockouts. But they were pegged back early by Cho So-hyun. Popp scored to level the scores again, but Morocco’s win over Colombia meant Germany were sent packing as the World No.72 side became the lowest-ranked team ever to make the knockouts.
Brazil exit in the group stages
Germany weren’t the only big team booking an early flight home from Australia, as Brazil were also left with egg on their face. The World No.8-ranked outfit started their campaign with a commanding win over Panama, beating the Central Americans 4-0 in Adelaide.
A 2-1 defeat to France looked like nothing more than a minor setback as the South Americans faced Jamaica in their final game of Group F. However, the Caribbean side performed better than 43rd in the world ranking suggested and they nicked a 0-0 draw to secure second and finish the group unbeaten.
It’s Brazil’s earliest exit from the Women’s World Cup since 1995 and it is a sorry ending for their legendary player Marta, who bows out at the age of 37 as the tournament’s record scorer with 17 goals.
South Africa make the knockouts
While their record as the lowest-ranked team to make the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup lasted mere hours due to Morocco’s shock win over Colombia, South Africa’s progression from the group stages is still well worth a mention.
Banyana Banyana, who are ranked 54th by FIFA, lost their opening game 2-1 to World No.3 Sweden before blowing a 2-0 lead over Argentina at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Linda Motihalo and Thembi Kgatlana had given South Africa a two-goal advantage but the South Americans struck twice in quick succession late on to steal a point.
South Africa and Italy both needed to win the final game to secure their place in the knockout stages, and the game was not for the faint-hearted. The Europeans took an earlier lead before South Africa turned the tie on its head by going 2-1 up. Italy equalised with around 15 minutes to spare to take the second spot back, but South Africa scored again in the 92nd minute to spark scenes of jubilation.
