The FIFA Women’s World Cup is off to a flying start and various nations participating in the tournament have been fighting for a place in the next round of the competition. The second round of the group stage games has been played, and some countries have sealed their qualification into the round of 16, while some have been eliminated even before the last round of group stage matches.
We delve into the performances of Barcelona players representing their various countries in the competition as the second round of group-stage matches comes to an end.
Switzerland vs Norway
A matchup that put Barcelona players against each other, as Ana Maria’s Crnogorcevic faced off against Norway, being represented by Ingrid Engen and Caroline Graham Hansen. The match ended in a goalless draw.
The Norwegian pair were brought on as substitutes, with Graham Hansen coming on in the 57th minute, and Ingrid Engen coming on in the 88th minute. Switzerland’s Ana Crnogorcevic played the full 90 minutes of the game.
However, the draw put Norway on the verge of being eliminated, with their fate left hanging in the balance. A win in their third match will not be enough to push them through to the last 16 if Switzerland fails to defeat joint hosts New Zealand.
Australia vs Nigeria
After playing a goalless draw in their first match of the tournament, Nigeria needed a win if at all they wanted a chance to play in the round of 16. Facing joint hosts Australia in their second group stage game, Barcelona talisman Asisat Oshoala was brought in as a substitute in the 64th minute with the scoreline at 1-1. Oshoala’s introduction helped Nigeria to their first win of the tournament. The Nigerian forward won the corner that resulted in Nigeria’s second goal, and then seven minutes later, she got her name on the scoresheet after going around the goalkeeper to help Nigeria secure a 3-2 win over Australia.
Spain vs Zambia
A flawless performance from the Spanish national team helped seal their spot in the round of 16, following a 5-0 win over Zambia. Alexia Putellas contributed to the win with an assist in the 13th minute. Afterward, she and two other Barcelona players, Salma Paralluelo and Ona Batlle, were subbed off at halftime. Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey were left on the field a while longer before being subbed off later in the second half.
England vs Denmark
A 1-0 victory over Denmark saw the Lionesses seal their qualification for the round of 16. After winning by a similar scoreline in their opening game, England claimed two wins out of two with their win and booked themselves a place in the round of 16.
In a similar fashion to their first game against Haiti, Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh were starters for England in their 1-0 victory over Denmark. And while Lucy Bronze played the full 90 minutes of the game, an injury to Keira Walsh in the 38th minute of the game sullied the win. Many worried that the midfielder might have picked up an ACL injury. However, an update was later released, removing all concerns about Walsh suffering from an ACL injury.
Sweden vs Italy
Sweden demonstrated a ruthless display in their second game of the group stages with a 5-0 win over Italy. The Italians were left chasing shadows as Fridolina Rolfo and her national teammates put them to the sword. Rolfo scored the second goal of the game in the 44th minute before being replaced in the 62nd minute.
The win helped Sweden seal a spot in the round of 16, despite having one game left to play in the group stage.
Barcelona’s Giulia Dragoni started the match but was later replaced in the 59th minute, with her team already trailing by 4 goals.
France vs Brazil
Despite their impressive outing in the first round, Brazil fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of France in their second group-stage match. A late goal from a corner kick in the 88th minute resulted in Brazil’s first loss in the tournament.
Barcelona forward Geyse Ferriera started the game but was replaced in the 61st minute.
Brazil currently sits in third place in their group’s standings, with a must-win match against Jamaica awaiting them in the last round of group-stage games if they want to book a spot in the round of 16.
