Let's get the 2019 Women's Draft World Cup underway! Today we cover Group A, which contains the reigning champions France, as well as newbies Spain and Netherlands, whilst a Rest of World team looks pretty dangerous.
Remember, the top two from each group will go through, whilst the two third-placed sides with the best records will also go into the quarter-finals.
Anyway, let's just crack on with the matches...
France vs Spain
As is DWC tradition, the holders kick off the new tournament. But it was not the ideal start for France, as Spain earned an 8th minute penalty, which Toni Duggan put away for a surprise Spanish lead! However, it took France just a few minutes to fire back level, courtesy of a fantastic shot by Eugénie Le Sommer. France quickly took control and Dzsenifer Marozsán put them 2-1 with a close-range finish. It looked to be finishing that way until the 91st minute when Duggan broke free down the left and squared for Andressa Alves to grab a dramatic equaliser!
Final score: France 2-2 Spain
Anyway, let's just crack on with the matches...
France vs Spain
As is DWC tradition, the holders kick off the new tournament. But it was not the ideal start for France, as Spain earned an 8th minute penalty, which Toni Duggan put away for a surprise Spanish lead! However, it took France just a few minutes to fire back level, courtesy of a fantastic shot by Eugénie Le Sommer. France quickly took control and Dzsenifer Marozsán put them 2-1 with a close-range finish. It looked to be finishing that way until the 91st minute when Duggan broke free down the left and squared for Andressa Alves to grab a dramatic equaliser!
Final score: France 2-2 Spain
Rest of World vs Netherlands
Rest of World ended a scrappy first half in the perfect way, opening the scoring when Asisat Oshoala got onto the end of Kumi Yokoyama's low cross. And in a match of very few chances this again looked to be decisive until added time, when Ellen Jansen curled a beautiful shot into the top corner from 25 yards to earn Netherlands a point on their debut!
Final score: Rest of World 1-1 Netherlands
Rest of World ended a scrappy first half in the perfect way, opening the scoring when Asisat Oshoala got onto the end of Kumi Yokoyama's low cross. And in a match of very few chances this again looked to be decisive until added time, when Ellen Jansen curled a beautiful shot into the top corner from 25 yards to earn Netherlands a point on their debut!
Final score: Rest of World 1-1 Netherlands
Netherlands vs France
France started strongly, and despite Jansen nearly scoring from a corner, it was the holders that eventually took the lead through a vicious shot from Saki Kumagai. The current Ballon d'Or holder Ada Hegerberg doubled France's lead when a deflection fell to her feet, and it was 2-0 at the break. After the interval Netherland's hopes of a comeback were soon dashed when Marjolijn van den Bighelaar picked up a second yellow. France didn't exert themselves pushing for more goals, and settled for an easy victory.
Final score: Netherlands 0-2 France
France started strongly, and despite Jansen nearly scoring from a corner, it was the holders that eventually took the lead through a vicious shot from Saki Kumagai. The current Ballon d'Or holder Ada Hegerberg doubled France's lead when a deflection fell to her feet, and it was 2-0 at the break. After the interval Netherland's hopes of a comeback were soon dashed when Marjolijn van den Bighelaar picked up a second yellow. France didn't exert themselves pushing for more goals, and settled for an easy victory.
Final score: Netherlands 0-2 France
Spain vs Rest of World
A strong first half from Spain was finally rewarded when Charlyn Corral fired them ahead on the stroke of half time. But Rest of World came out with guns blazing after the interval, hitting the woodwork twice straight away. And the pressure told when Érika headed in a 53rd-minute equaliser from a free kick. We looked set for another draw, but another free kick cost Spain, as Vicky Losada missed a header and allowed Oshoala to poke Rest of World ahead in the 84th minute. The cherry was put on the cake in added time as Katrina Gorry powered in a third.
Final score: Spain 1-3 Rest of World
A strong first half from Spain was finally rewarded when Charlyn Corral fired them ahead on the stroke of half time. But Rest of World came out with guns blazing after the interval, hitting the woodwork twice straight away. And the pressure told when Érika headed in a 53rd-minute equaliser from a free kick. We looked set for another draw, but another free kick cost Spain, as Vicky Losada missed a header and allowed Oshoala to poke Rest of World ahead in the 84th minute. The cherry was put on the cake in added time as Katrina Gorry powered in a third.
Final score: Spain 1-3 Rest of World
Here's the table with one game left to play:
France and Rest of World will battle for top spot. A point guarantees qualification for both sides, and interestingly means that the two will have to be split by the drawing of lots. Elsewhere, Spain and Netherlands battle it out to avoid elimination. 4 points feels likely to be enough to be one of the best third-placed sides, so this becomes effectively a knockout match.
France vs Rest of World
Rest of World showed early on that they were prepared to go toe-to-toe with France, and it paid off with an early goal as Yokoyama scuffed in a close-range shot at the second attempt. France were quick to respond, and Shanice van de Sanden's header had us all-square at the break.
On the hour mark Rest of World were given a chance to retake the lead from the spot, but Gorry's shot hit the inside of the post and stayed out... until it hit French keeper Sarah Bouhaddi and trickled over the line for a cruel own goal! But France were once again level soon after, Sakina Karchaoui firing home. And in the 82nd minute Hegerberg broke free and put France into a seemingly decisive lead...
But yet again there was a twist! In the 91st minute Monica rifled in a free kick to level for Rest of World. Excitement mounted as it looked like the drawing of lots... until two minutes later when Rest of World's Andressinha hit a Yeboah-esque effort off the underside of the bar and in for a dramatic late winner!
Final score: France 3-4 Rest of World
France vs Rest of World
Rest of World showed early on that they were prepared to go toe-to-toe with France, and it paid off with an early goal as Yokoyama scuffed in a close-range shot at the second attempt. France were quick to respond, and Shanice van de Sanden's header had us all-square at the break.
On the hour mark Rest of World were given a chance to retake the lead from the spot, but Gorry's shot hit the inside of the post and stayed out... until it hit French keeper Sarah Bouhaddi and trickled over the line for a cruel own goal! But France were once again level soon after, Sakina Karchaoui firing home. And in the 82nd minute Hegerberg broke free and put France into a seemingly decisive lead...
But yet again there was a twist! In the 91st minute Monica rifled in a free kick to level for Rest of World. Excitement mounted as it looked like the drawing of lots... until two minutes later when Rest of World's Andressinha hit a Yeboah-esque effort off the underside of the bar and in for a dramatic late winner!
Final score: France 3-4 Rest of World
Spain vs Netherlands
Spain were able to control the midfield in this game, but struggled to create many clear chances. However, they got the breakthrough midway through the first half when Duggan's shot rebounded to her to volley home. Netherlands were at their capacity staying in the game, but they couldn't muster enough of a threat at the other end to challenge, and their DWC debut ends with a brave narrow defeat.
Final score: Spain 1-0 Netherlands
Spain were able to control the midfield in this game, but struggled to create many clear chances. However, they got the breakthrough midway through the first half when Duggan's shot rebounded to her to volley home. Netherlands were at their capacity staying in the game, but they couldn't muster enough of a threat at the other end to challenge, and their DWC debut ends with a brave narrow defeat.
Final score: Spain 1-0 Netherlands
So here is the final table:
So it's a surprise group victory for Rest of World, pushing France into second. It will be interesting to see who that sees them face in the next round. Spain should go through with 4 points, but they will be watching the next two groups nervously.
It's Group B next time, which sees England and Germany lock horns, whilst Sweden and Norway may find it a bit tougher to stay in the mix.
It's Group B next time, which sees England and Germany lock horns, whilst Sweden and Norway may find it a bit tougher to stay in the mix.