As Brazil and Italy progressed from Group D, we have our eight quarter-finalists:
This is how the draw looks for the knockout stages:
We're going through all four quarter finals today, so let's get cracking!
Spain vs Scotland
These two were both in the first qualifying group for this tournament, and Scotland took a win and a draw. They defied their low seeding to get through their group. Spain, meanwhile, overcame defending champions Germany to win Group A. So, both teams are in good form.
Spain send out an early warning as Lieke Martens breaks into the Scottish box and forces Lee Alexander into a low save, just 20 seconds into the game. Scotland were able to shore up defensively, but their resolve was eventually broken just before half time when a goalmouth scramble from a corner eventually landed at the feet of Caroline Graham Hansen to smash home.
Spain vs Scotland
These two were both in the first qualifying group for this tournament, and Scotland took a win and a draw. They defied their low seeding to get through their group. Spain, meanwhile, overcame defending champions Germany to win Group A. So, both teams are in good form.
Spain send out an early warning as Lieke Martens breaks into the Scottish box and forces Lee Alexander into a low save, just 20 seconds into the game. Scotland were able to shore up defensively, but their resolve was eventually broken just before half time when a goalmouth scramble from a corner eventually landed at the feet of Caroline Graham Hansen to smash home.
Spain resumed where they left off, with Martens having a close-range shot blocked by Leanne Ross. Martens was running the show, and eventually got her deserved goal on the hour mark with a beautiful free kick into the top corner. Hayley Lauder thought she'd pulled one back late on, but her effort was flagged offside. And to add insult to injury, Jenni Hermoso sealed the win with a 90th-minute penalty.
Final score: Spain 3-0 Scotland
Player of the match: Vicky Losada (ESP)
Final score: Spain 3-0 Scotland
Player of the match: Vicky Losada (ESP)
USA vs Italy
Each of these teams were eliminated by France in last year's WDWC - USA at this stage, Italy in the semis. Italy will be strong underdogs after USA looked to click in the group stages, although there was a blip with their draw with Americas.
After a quiet opening to the game, USA grabbed the opener when Julie Ertz headed in Megan Rapinoe's inviting free kick. The current FIFA Best Women's Player (such a dumb name for an award) was creator again, with a raking pass releasing Alex Morgan, but she could only hit the post with her one-on-one effort. USA continued to press on as Tobin Heath twice went close. Morgan brilliantly lashed in on the stroke of half time, but it was ruled out for offside.
Each of these teams were eliminated by France in last year's WDWC - USA at this stage, Italy in the semis. Italy will be strong underdogs after USA looked to click in the group stages, although there was a blip with their draw with Americas.
After a quiet opening to the game, USA grabbed the opener when Julie Ertz headed in Megan Rapinoe's inviting free kick. The current FIFA Best Women's Player (such a dumb name for an award) was creator again, with a raking pass releasing Alex Morgan, but she could only hit the post with her one-on-one effort. USA continued to press on as Tobin Heath twice went close. Morgan brilliantly lashed in on the stroke of half time, but it was ruled out for offside.
Laura Giuliani pushed a Rapinoe drive over the bar as USA continued in the same vein, but they couldn't find that crucial second goal, and were punished for it in the 80th minute when Lisa De Vanna found space on the edge of the box and beat Ashlyn Harris with a powerful shot. The match seemed destined for extra time, but in added time Rapinoe fed it wide to Kelley O'Hara who broke free and blasted a shot beyond Giuliani to win it for USA!
Final score: USA 2-1 Italy
Player of the match: Megan Rapinoe (USA)
Final score: USA 2-1 Italy
Player of the match: Megan Rapinoe (USA)
France vs Germany
This is undoubtedly the juiciest quarter-final, as the two previous WDWC champions do battle. Reigning winners Germany failed to win their group, and so they have to take on a French team that breezed through their group.
France started with a swift move resulting in Shanice van de Sanden's pass to Ada Hegerberg, who pulled her shot narrowly wide. France were leaving their two CBs isolated against Germany's two strikers, however, and were nearly punished by Fridolina Rolfo who hared away but could only hit the outside of the post. In the 35th minute Rolfo outwitted Lucy Bronze on the left and curled in a cross. It was cleared, but only as far as Pernille Harder, who thumped a shot home to give Germany the lead! Ewa Pajor should have made it two from a rapid breakaway, but she fired her shot straight at Christiane Endler. France ultimately were fortunate to go in only one behind.
This is undoubtedly the juiciest quarter-final, as the two previous WDWC champions do battle. Reigning winners Germany failed to win their group, and so they have to take on a French team that breezed through their group.
France started with a swift move resulting in Shanice van de Sanden's pass to Ada Hegerberg, who pulled her shot narrowly wide. France were leaving their two CBs isolated against Germany's two strikers, however, and were nearly punished by Fridolina Rolfo who hared away but could only hit the outside of the post. In the 35th minute Rolfo outwitted Lucy Bronze on the left and curled in a cross. It was cleared, but only as far as Pernille Harder, who thumped a shot home to give Germany the lead! Ewa Pajor should have made it two from a rapid breakaway, but she fired her shot straight at Christiane Endler. France ultimately were fortunate to go in only one behind.
France came out for the second with more intent, and should have immediately levelled, but Hegerberg fired wide after being put clean through by Amandine Henry. Whilst France were the better team in the second half, they couldn't find a way back into the game as we headed into the final stages. France had stopped Germany creating clear chances, but in the 84th minute Wendie Renard couldn't get enough on a header and it fell to Pajor to score Germany's second! There was time for one final chance to fall the way of Hegerberg, but again to no avail as her header clipped the top of the bar. Those misses proved crucial as Germany held on to progress to the semis!
Final score: France 0-2 Germany
Player of the match: Pernille Harder (GER)
Final score: France 0-2 Germany
Player of the match: Pernille Harder (GER)
Brazil vs England
England avoided a second successive group stage exit this time, and the result is that they face a Brazil team that triumphed in the tricky Group D. England will be favourites but this could be a tight one.
England continue with their fearsome front pair of Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr, and they combined to open the scoring in just the 5th minute; Miedema's raking long pass putting the Australian through, and she rounded Bárbara to score. And they repeated the trick on the half hour mark, another fine pass from Miedema and another confident finish from Kerr. And soon after the Dutch striker had a hat trick of assists, as her fizzing cross was headed in well by Leonie Maier.
England avoided a second successive group stage exit this time, and the result is that they face a Brazil team that triumphed in the tricky Group D. England will be favourites but this could be a tight one.
England continue with their fearsome front pair of Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr, and they combined to open the scoring in just the 5th minute; Miedema's raking long pass putting the Australian through, and she rounded Bárbara to score. And they repeated the trick on the half hour mark, another fine pass from Miedema and another confident finish from Kerr. And soon after the Dutch striker had a hat trick of assists, as her fizzing cross was headed in well by Leonie Maier.
England refused to let up, and Kerr could have got her hat trick 4 minutes into the second half, but Bárbara denied her with a fine stop. She wasn't to be denied though, and when England were awarded a penalty there was no doubt who was taking it. Kerr blasted it down the middle and just beat Bárbara to earn the match ball.
Final score: Brazil 0-4 England
Player of the match: Sam Kerr (ENG)
Final score: Brazil 0-4 England
Player of the match: Sam Kerr (ENG)
In the first half of the draw the two group winners won, whilst in the other half the two group winners lost. It leaves us with two interesting semi finals. We'll cover those in more detail, next time.