France kick off their Women’s World Cup campaign against Jamaica, while the group stage continues in Australia and New Zealand.
The Blues entered the tournament under new coach Herve Renard after Corrine Diacre’s controversial reign came to an end just four months before the tournament. France’s roster of talent will be put to the test after suffering injuries ahead of the World Cup, with the likes of Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Delphine Cascarino ruled out.
The Netherlands, runners-up four years ago under Sarina Wiegman, beat World Cup debutants Portugal 1-0 in Group E courtesy of an early header by Stefanie van der Gragt. The Dutch were defeated by the United States in the 2019 final and will face the defending champions in the group stage. The US began its defense with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Saturday.
Elsewhere, England opened their Women’s World Cup campaign with a victory, but the Lionesses were pushed to the end by Haiti in what was a close contest in Brisbane. Georgia Stanway’s penalty kick again in the first half was enough to ensure England narrowly won, but goalkeeper Mary Earps had to make a big stop to protect the lead late on.
Follow the latest scores, updates and World Cup news on today’s live blog
Women’s World Cup LIVE: Latest updates
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Women’s World Cup continues in Australia and New Zealand
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England survive Women’s World Cup scare – but Haiti highlights problems for Lionesses to solve
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France face newcomers Jamaica in Group F
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Netherlands beat Portugal 1-0 in Group E, Stefanie van der Gragt heading in
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Sweden beats South Africa 2-1 thanks to Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th-minute goal
2023 Women’s World Cup: France 0 x 0 Jamaica
11:22 , lucas baker
20 minutes: This was a very good start for Jamaica. They are winning battles in midfield and are disciplined in their form.
France were forced to deflect the ball in defense when some shots were blocked. Les Bleues need to settle down here and start playing the possession-based football they are known for.
2023 Women’s World Cup: France 0 x 0 Jamaica
11:10 , lucas baker
Underway in Sydney and France, unsurprisingly, are taking the cake so far. They are breaking deep and running towards Jamaica defenders. However, no initial breakthrough yet.
2023 Women’s World Cup: France v Jamaica
10:54 , lucas baker
The last match of the day at the Women’s World Cup will start in about five minutes. France – who were semi-finalists in last year’s Euros – will face newcomers Jamaica.
There are eight newcomers to this tournament and so far the likes of Haiti and Portugal have really impressed and caused the ‘bigger’ teams some trouble, although they lacked an advantage in front of goal.
Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz lit up the 1998 men’s World Cup, so can the women’s team do the same and cause an upset against Les Bleues?
England underestimated Haiti in World Cup opener and revealed their Achilles heel
10:35 , lucas baker
Mary Earps could do nothing but scream in frustration. Fortunately, the instability of England’s defense was compensated by Haiti’s lack of marksmanship, but her irritation was still clear and justified.
Time and again simple things just hadn’t been done right. Balls were allowed to go over the head, lunges were delayed as passes slipped through the gaps, passes were sent wide. It was not the start of the World Cup that England had been hoping for.
England were ahead, but that wasn’t the feeling you would get reading the players’ body language. The half-time whistle sounded across Brisbane and heads lowered as they retreated through the tunnel.
The truth was clear: they were lucky to lead.
England underestimated Haiti in World Cup opener and revealed their Achilles heel
Full-time: Netherlands 1-0 Portugal
10:35 , lucas baker
And it’s all over in Dunedin!
The Netherlands held on to win 1-0 over debutants Portugal. Stefanie van der Gragt’s header early in the first half proved to be the difference.
Portugal thwarted the Dutch for much of the match but were unable to really threaten a draw. This will look like a missed opportunity for them with the USA also in their group – you feel like they had to get a result here to have a realistic chance of making the knockout stages.
Holland will be relieved – three points on the scoreboard is the most important thing. A win over lowly Vietnam will likely be enough to qualify now, although it will be the US next on Thursday.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has criticized Nike for refusing to sell her shirt
10:15 , lucas baker
England goalkeeper Mary Earps said Nike’s decision not to sell its kit during the Women’s World Cup was “painful” and “hugely disappointing”.
The England home and away kits are available for supporters to buy, but the Lionesses goalkeeper kits were not offered for sale by the team’s kit supplier.
Earps was England’s goalkeeper when they won the Euros last summer and the Manchester United star was named FIFA’s best female goalkeeper in 2022.
Earps said England captain Millie Bright told her she wanted to buy her kit for her niece, only to discover it was not available for purchase.
England goalkeeper Mary Earps has criticized Nike for refusing to sell her shirt
Last result: Netherlands 1-0 Portugal
10:06 , lucas baker
In the final 15 minutes of the Netherlands v Portugal clash, the Dutch still hold the 1-0 lead. This was an impressive debut for the Portuguese in the World Cup.
Last result: Netherlands 1-0 Portugal
09:38 , lucas baker
The Netherlands will face newcomers Portugal and that game is in the early stages of the second half.
The Netherlands lead 1-0 after Stefanie van der Gragt’s first-half header turned out to be given following a VAR review. However, the Portuguese debutants are well equipped and are frustrating the Dutch.
Sweden clinch 2-1 win over South Africa in World Cup opener
09:19 , lucas baker
Amanda Ilestedt’s 90th-minute winner gave Sweden a 2-1 victory over South Africa in their Women’s World Cup Group G match after a fortuitous equalizer by Fridolina Rolfo canceled out Hildah Magaia’s opener.
In pouring rain in the New Zealand capital, Ilestedt leapt higher and squeezed the ball to avoid his team’s blush after they were frustrated with the African champions for much of the game’s first hour.
The result left third-placed Sweden top of the group before Italy and Argentina meet for the first time in Auckland on Monday.
“South Africa made things difficult for us, but I think we grew in the game and got better and better. In the second half we played better, but the victory in the first game is what counts”, said Ilestedt.
54th-placed South Africa were seeking their first World Cup victory in their second appearance at the tournament, having exited the group stage in 2019 without picking up a point.
They kept their more sophisticated opponents at bay in the first half as the frustrated Sweden team controlled possession but were unable to find the finishing touch and threatened on the counterattack.
Zecira Musovic had deflected Thembi Kgatlana’s shot but Magaia grabbed the rebound before Swedish defender Jonna Andersson crossed the line two minutes after the break to score South Africa’s second World Cup goal.
But Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross deflected off defender Lebohang Ramalepe and bounced off Rolfo’s net to give the Swedes a lifeline in the 66th minute.
Peter Gerhardsson’s side went for the win but were held back by South Africa’s resolute defense until Ilestedt answered Kosovare Asllani’s corner with a powerful header.
Reuters
Lack of winger for not convincing England, admits boss Sarina Wiegman
08:59 , Lucas Baker
England boss Sarina Wiegman felt her European champions lacked “cruelty” after they won 1-0 over debutants Haiti to open their World Cup campaign at the Brisbane Stadium.
Georgia Stanway’s first-half retake was enough to secure the three points for her team, but did little to ease concerns about the Lionesses’ attacking form after they had failed to find the net in their previous three games.
Had it not been for a late second-half save by FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Mary Earps denying replacement Roseline Eloissaint, the Lionesses in fourth place might well have ended the night with a draw against their Group D opponents, who are 49 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
Sarina Wiegman admits England failed to convince in World Cup opener
England survive Women’s World Cup scare – but Haiti highlights problems for Lionesses to solve
08:58 , Lucas Baker
England have a precious first win at this World Cup, but that description is why they didn’t look like winners of the tournament itself.
That’s not to say it will stay that way, but Sarina Wiegman has a lot of issues to resolve and a lot of work to do. Haiti, at least, more than set the tone for the latter. In something that has already become a pattern in these early games, the supposed little fish deserved better than the 1-0 loss he suffered from Georgia Stanway’s mercifully reordered penalty.
Haiti’s bright young star, Melchie Dumornay, may well end up deserving of a string of individual awards. She was by far the player of the match here, running the game. Haiti has often given England a spin. The entire outcome ended up depending on Mary Earps holding on to a crucial final chance for Haiti.
England survives World Cup scare, but Haiti highlights problems to be solved