Day 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is in the books and it was a day marred with some uninspiring football, some soft referee decisions and a completely dominant display.
So what did we learn from day 2? Let’s get into it!
Match 3: Nigeria 0-0 Canada
The second day was off to a sluggish start. Nigeria and Canada played out a goalless draw that was equally devoid of action as well.
We can see it in the game flow map as well, neither side really had any really dominant spells of possession where they created substantial threat.
Canada’s 4-4-2 was unable to penetrate Nigeria’s deep and compact 4-5-1. Canada’s formation morphed into a five player attack that did offer good occupation of the last line but the progression responsibilities fell entirely on the centerbacks, who were given ample time on the ball.
Vanessa Gilles (#14) recorded the most touches (85), most completed passes (69) in the game.
There was some good movement from Jordyn Huitema (#9) and Adriana Leon (#19) into the inside channels but wasn’t complimented by good central attacking runs. Huitema in particular offered really well as an outlet , receiving most progressive passes (10). She did an excellent job linking up play after dropping deep and drifting out wide. The problem was the lack of true striker sort of figure (which was partially resolved by the sub of Evelyne Viens).
International football’s record goalscorer, Christine Sinclair, had a golden opportunity to become the first player to score in six World Cups but her penalty was brilliantly saved by Paris FC’s brilliant shot-stopper Chiamaka Nnadozie. She didn’t just make an excellent first save but quickly got up and made a double save to deny Canada a goalscoring opportunity.
The pass network suggests a few things:
Canada’s lack of a number 9 to start the game with, left them without a clear focal point. Huitema dropped and so did Sincy.
The midfield lacked the necessary qualities to break down a low block like Nigeria’s.
Nigeria were deep and compact but ultimately lacked the connecting tissue between thirds and weren’t able to have meaningful possession.
The game was a violent nod to Canada’s inability to create from open-play and with the injury to Jessie Fleming, they failed that composure from the spot as well. Their defensive solidity has faded as well which leaves them susceptible at the back.
The combined total non-penalty xG (expected goals) for the game was just 1.2. It was a dull affair.
What wasn’t dull however was the way challenges flew in this game without being called. The referee failed to impose herself on the game early on and it resulted in some nasty challenges later on in the game, most notably a mistimed stomp on Ashley Lawrence’s shin by Deborah Abiodun in the final minutes, which resulted in the first red card of the tournament.
This game arguably leaves group B wide open while handing “first winner’s” advantage to Australia. Ireland will feel hopeful of making into the knockout rounds on their first try while Nigeria and Canada will have to do more with the ball to stand a chance.
Match 4: Philippines 0-2 Switzerland
Alen Stajcic’s Philippines have been on an upward trajectory and the debutants were able to represent that journey today on the field, if not on the points table.
Philippines were in their pragmatic 4-4-2 setup that morphed into back five or even back six situationally with the ball sided fullback tucking in and the winger dropping off to track the wingers. They defended in numbers trying to make it difficult for Switzerland to find spaces.
Swiss were their 4-3-2-1 with Barcelona’s Ana-Maria Crnogorčević leading the line while being supported by Ramona Bachmann and Seraina Piubel. The 23-year-old midfielder from Zurich Frauen, Piubel, was impressive throughout the game with her movements. Off the ball, Swiss reverted to a 4-4-2 with Piubel dropping out wide on the right flank.
Philippines found the ball in the back of the net early on but their cinderella story was cut short by an offside flag. The game’s flow was impacted when the referee awarded a really soft penalty in the closing minutes of the first half, undoing the good work done by Philippines. Bachmann stepped up and put it away from six-yards out.
The Nati capitalized on this dominance in the second half and created a big chance which was put cleaned up and put away by Piubel. The youngster scored her third senior international goal in just eight appearances. The midfielder made some excellent runs in behind from the wide area to offer an outlet and create chance, receiving the second most progressive passes in the game (7). She put in the defensive work as well, constantly dropping deep and creating parity at the back.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Geraldine Reuteler had a great showing as well. The midfielder was brilliant at identifying and executing the right runs in behind when the spaces opened up. She managed to disrupt the Filipinas’ defensive organization by attacking the byline from various angles to receive the ball in behind. The 24-year-old showed good composure on the ball as well, playing the ball that initiated the sequence for the second goal.
Arguably the best bit from Filipinas was taking Arsenal’s midfield maestro, Lia Walti, out of the game. The ambipedal midfielder (who calls me ‘Chash’ ) was closely followed by Sarina Bolden (#7) and at times her forward partner Katrina Guillou (#21).
Or in the sequence below where we can clearly see Philippines’s (in blue) 4-4-2 block with the attacking duo closely marking Walti (#13) out of the game and forcing Switzerland to go long causing a turnover.
Philippines showcased that they are not here to make up the numbers but are capable of restriciting the opponent despite the result not going in their favor.
New Zealand and Switzerland are off to a winning start in Group A and how Norway bounce back will be key in shaping up this group.
Match 5: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
Spain were dubbed as heavy favorites coming into the game and well it showed. The scoreline was just 3-0 but the performance was one of utter domination. The Spaniards dominated the ball and the territory.
They recorded 26 shots in the first half alone and had over 80% share of the ball.
A quick flurry of three goals inside seven minutes was enough for Spain to secure a win in their first game. The goals showcased the technical dominance the side had over their opposition on the day. Costa Rica had no reply for their positional rotations as they carved them open.
Spain packed the box in numbers and pushed so high up at times it almost resembled a 1-3-6 in possession, with the ball sided centerback pushing up into the midfield alongside the deepest midfielder (Tere Abelleira) and far sided fullback.
There was another penalty call in this game when Olga Carmona was brought down in the box in the 34th minute. Veteran Jenni Hermoso stepped up to take it but hit a really poor penalty almost straight down the goalkeeper’s throat.
It was normal proceedings from that point on, as Spain continue to knock on the door but couldn’t score despite multiple attempts. All thanks to Daniela Solera.
While Costa Rica’s defence had a forgetful evening, goalkeeper Solera was fantastic. She made 10 saves in the game, becoming only the third goalkeeper to record 10 or more saves in a World Cup game since 2011. If not for her the scoreline would have looked far worse.
La Roja broke a hosts of records by becoming the side with most penalty box touches (117 !!), most possession (81%) and most shots (46) in a single game sinve 2011. Such was the tilt.
While a lot of players impressed with their on-ball qualities, one in particular was phenomenal all around. Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati further boosted her claims as a Ballon d’Or candidate.
The midfielder was excellent in half-spaces, providing support for combination play down the flanks. She offered great positional rotations by constantly plugging into vacant space to show up as a passing option. The first goal was a result of her inventive flick-on and a sign of her spatial awareness and the second goal showcased the technical brilliance on her weaker foot. Without the ball, she had the hunger to recoup the ball as quickly as possible. A complete midfielder.
The 25-year-old offered some insights on what makes the current side better than its predecessors.
"We now have players with different characteristics. We are not a 'flat' team like we have been in the past. We have Salma for example, who has terrific speed."
Aitana on how Spain improved (via @AsifBurhan)
The addition of direct and vertical wingers rather than a ball loving control oriented ones seems to have added a cutting edge about Spain’s attack, giving them penetration and the necessary verticality.
However, it’s very difficult to draw sweeping conclusions from a game where the opponent had less than a quarter of the possession share. Spain’s resolve will probably be tested better against a feiry Zambia attack and a possession loving nature of Japan’s playstyle.
Highlight of the day
Tobin’s commentary on the World Cup has been a real highlight!