The 2023 Women’s World Cup group stage is now at a close following completion of the third and find round of matches. What an opening phase is has been.
This set of fixtures was perhaps the best yet, with England, Australia and Norway all stirring into life at last. There were more big performances from Netherlands and Japan, while South Africa, Jamaica, Morocco, the latter with a little help from South Korea, all pulled off big shocks to progress.
The level was so high in this round of matches that it was impossible to find a place for Sophie Roman Haug or Kadidiatou Diani, each of whom scored a hat-trick for their respective countries.
Find out who did make the cut for 90min’s team of matchday three…
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GK: Rebecca Spencer – Jamaica were always going to need a big performance in goal to keep Brazil at bay and they got it from the Spurs stopper.
RB: Ana Borges – Portugal’s versatile veteran did a stellar job as a right-back repelling a top quality United States forward line. Her country nearly got through as a result.
CB: Nouhaila Benzina – After already making history as the first player to wear a hijab in a World Cup match, her defensive performance to underpin Morocco’s win over Colombia was rock solid.
CB: Allyson Swaby – The goalscoring hero in matchday two, but again a huge reason why Jamaica are still yet to concede a goal at this World Cup following the end of the group stage.
LB: Steph Catley – Led by example in a crunch match as she continued to wear Australia’s armband in the absence of Sam Kerr. Scored from the penalty spot again.
CM: Jill Roord – Dutch players have needed to step up in the absence of Vivianne Miedema and the new Manchester City star is certainly doing that, scoring another two goals against Vietnam.
CM: Guro Reiten – Always asked questions of the Philippines defence in a game that Norway desperately needed to win. Came away with a goal and assist in the 6-0 rout.
RM: Hinata Miyazawa – Continues her outstanding World Cup by scoring twice to help Japan put Spain to the sword and firmly position themselves as genuine trophy contenders.
AM: Lauren James – England’s breakout star had a direct hand in five of her team’s six goals against China to further underline her credentials as a potential player of the tournament.
LM: Esmee Brugts – The Dutch youngster scored two similar long-range stunners to help her country thrash Vietnam and surprisingly top Group E.
ST: Thembi Kgatlana – Tragically lost three family members in the last couple of weeks, but rose above it all to make history for South African women’s football.
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