AFTER THE QUARTERFINALS of the 2023 WOMEN’s WORLD CUP
The recurring scoreline of ‘2-1’ emerged as the prevailing theme in the quarterfinals:
🇪🇸 Spain 2-1 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇯🇵 Japan 1-2 🇸🇪 Sweden
🇦🇺 Australia* 0-0 🇫🇷 France (Australia advances after penalty shootout)
🏴 England 2-1 🇨🇴 Colombia
Bids from Japan and Colombia faded, and all eyes are on Australia to potentially thwart an all-European final.
England marches on with confidence, guided tactically by Sarina Wiegman. After gold medals in the Women’s Euro and the Women’s Finalissima, their sights are focused on adding the World Cup to their outstanding collection.
The competition bids farewell to past winners, as Japan is eliminated by Sweden, and past finalists as Netherlands is eliminated by Spain. Amidst these shifts, Sweden stands alone, the sole contender with a history of making it to a Women’s World Cup final.
Australia’s journey is historic; they become the first host nation since the United States in 1999 and 2003 to secure a spot in the semifinals. Their sights are now set on a World Cup final berth, a feat only the United States has achieved in 1999.
Spain and Australia both make their first semifinal appearances after overcoming their hurdles after regulation time. Spain clinched victory with an extra-time goal, edging out the Netherlands 2-1, while Australia triumphed over France through a penalty shootout.
The stage is now set for the semifinals:
August 15, 2023: 🇪🇸 Spain vs. 🇸🇪 Sweden
August 16, 2023: 🇦🇺 Australia vs. 🏴 England
