Day 4 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup saw some big hitters go up against some underdogs and newcomers. The games were not so straightforward afterall. The performances served as a reminder that a) the qualified teams aren’t there to make up the numbers and b) the gap between top sides and others is something that has largely stemmed from an investment issue at the grassroots level.
We saw different interpretations of the 4-4-2 formation from each of the said ‘underdogs’, which is always fun.
Anyway, let’s dissect the action from the day!
Match 10: Sweden 2-1 South Africa
Sweden the ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’ side of international football. The Blågult began their 2023 FIFA WWC campaign against South Africa.
The Banyana Banyana are at their second World Cup, having made their debut in 2019. Sweden finished third at the last edition of the World Cup and followed it with second place finishes at the 2020 Olympics and the Euros last year. The famed golden generation has come close but missed out on the last step. Much of that core is now at the twilight of their careers.
Sweden were in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Asllani and Rolfo were operating as the two #10s, operating from inside channels and the impetus to provide width was on the wingbacks (Jonna Andersson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd) in the system. This was a different look Sweden.
Caroline Seger wasn’t starting, however, the legendary became the first Swede to appear at five World Cups off the bench. Sofia Jakobsson was out of the lineup. Sweden’s press felt not as effective and the biggest change was we didn’t see Hedvig Lindahl between the sticks for them.
The ideation was largely the same with profiles showing different levels of proficiency in executing those instructions. Asllani still floated in the right half-space to provide verticality via her positioning and wide players stretched the field and were still key in chance creation mechanism.
South Africa were set up in a flat 4-4-2/4-4-1-1 formation with a safety first mindset. They had some excellent ball carriers in the front two and were setup to maximize the counterattacking opportunities rather than controlling and retaining possession. Their decisions on the ball were rushed and resulted in cheap turnovers.
The compact nature of South Africa’s block and some really inefficient crossing from Sweden meant the world #3 ranked side found it difficult to create any meaningful danger for large parts of the first half.
Sweden utilized asymmetrical wingbacks (one fullback higher than the other) and pushed Kaneryd (#19, right wingback) high up the pitch, trying to open up spaces for her to cross. Former Chelsea fullback, Andersson, was tasked replicating this on the other side but slightly less aggressively. Both players attempted 18 crosses between them and at least a third of them were unsuccessful.
The progression was largely funneled down the right side for Sweden as well (as is evident on the pass network with strong connections on the right side).
South Africa on the other hand didn’t go aim for retention when on the ball and it reflects on the pass network too with no strong connections across the field.
An early second half goal by Banyana Banyana sparked the game to life. Thembi Kgatlana turned on the afterburners to beat Amanda Illestedt for pace and after a fumble in the box by the goalkeeper, the WAFCON (Women’s African Cup of Nations) winners took the lead in the 48th minute.
The game state effect kicked in and South Africa went conservative to protect the lead, inviting a lot of chances from Sweden. Look at how their xG starts to shoot up after going behind. They ended up conceding the equalizer in the 66th minute. They looked set for a point at least from the game, which their overall performance warranted as well, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Illestedt became the protagonist again and this time in the other penalty box, as she scored a header from the corner in the 90th minute shattering South Africa’s dream.
The same thing had happened with Banyana Banyana four years ago when they faced Spain in their opening game. They took the lead and then couldn’t manage the game allowing the opposition to take control. End result: Spain 3-1 South Africa.
The standout performer in the game was former Real Madrid midfielder, Kosovare Asllani, who picked up the match winning assist and was excellent with her positioning in between lines in the half spaces. She produced some excellent wide combination play on the right, enabling crosses into the box. The veteran is still class on the ball with her close control and dribbling as well and has an impeccable vision in her passing.
Sweden got the points on board, which bodes well for their chances of finishing top of their group. Desiree Ellis’ side didn’t bow out and can be proud of the valiant effort and hopeful about their chances of progressing.
Match 11: Portugal 0-1 Netherlands
déjà vu: a feeling of having already experienced the present situation.
There was a feeling of déjà vu while watching this game. Netherlands and Portugal faced each other at the Euros last year but there was more to it than just that. Netherlands recreated one of the goals from that night at Leigh Sports Village.
The player was the same, the creation of the goal and the area where it was scored from were similar. It was almost like watching the replay.
Portugal are one of the eight debutants in the competition and after producing some good bits in the Euros last year, were coming into this with much more preparation time and a big dream. They started their journey against last edition’s runners-up, Netherlands, who have undergone lots of changes and are missing their all-time top goalscorer as well.
The Dutch under new manager Andries Jonker play in a back 3-5-2 formation geared towards sharing the attacking load and fluidity in the attack. It has allowed them to bring together a host of attacking options and with the availability of hardworking players like Esmee Brugts and Victoria Pelova as wingbacks, it has largely looked functional.
Portugal started in a 4-3-1-2 formation with a line of three flat midfielders to begin the game with. The idea seemed like to dominate the midfield with an extra body, as the Dutch looked slightly thin in that department. It did not work out as expected as Portugal struggled to settle on the ball and create much going forwards.
They were unable to register a touch in the opposition box until the 82nd minute.
Portugal harnessed the advantage of having tall players from corner situations once again. In the 13th minute, Stefani van der Gragt scored a header at the far post from a corner situation. Exactly like the Euros, where she threatened with the same movements before scoring in that game.
I wrote all about about their set-up on corners and their weaknesses were exploited by opposition here.
Netherlands continued to dominate and Portugal bringing on Andreia Jacinto and Kika Nazareth did help a bit but not enough. One key aspect in the game was the pressing from the front five or six players by the Netherlands was especially suffocating, making progression difficult for Portugal.
The game also showed some weaknesses in the Dutch side, especially the pace in their back 3. This might be a big issue when facing Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman in the USA game.
The standout performer was a hard pick but Jackie Groenen playing as the deepest midfielder did her task. While this hampered her box-to-box nature and reduced her influence in the final third, she still managed to put in a combative shift and was incredible defensively and in dealing with the opposition pressure.
Match 12: France 0-0 Jamaica
France have largely put the dressing room issues from the previous World Cup behind them and came into this tournament as one of the tournament favorites.
Well, recording the first goalless draw in their World Cup history wasn’t exactly favorable.
The game ended in a stalemate as Reggae Girlz, who in turn earned their first ever World Cup points, impressed. It was some shift defensively from Jamaica who managed to contain Les Bleues.
Herve Renard set-up his French side in a 4-4-2 formation with Eugenie Le Sommer and Kadidiatou Diani starting up front. Montpellier center-back, Maelle Lakrar, was once again deployed at right back which seemed like an strange decision with a more natural option available in that position while the CB slot was freed up with the injury to Elisa de Almeida.
There formation was matched by Jamaica, who came out with their own compact 4-4-2. This allowed them to go player-to-player if necessary and force them in areas they wanted. The result was Jamaica nullifying France’s threats for large parts until the closing quarter of the game.
French consistently resorted to crossing, attempting 42 crosses (second highest in a single game this year). The problem wasn’t the crossing but the lack of shifting Jamaica’s block side to side to open up holes in it. The all too simple wide approach and narrow front 2 made it easy for Jamaica to deal with the threat.
The French weren’t prompt in switching the point of attack in one or two passes and gave the Jamaican backline enough time to shift and regroup. They only attempted nine switches in the game.
Jamaica were alert to Sakina Karchaoui’s threat from the left-back position and resorted to an asymmetrial approach when on the ball. They remained conservative on their right (France’s left) and pushed aggressively on the left hand side. Most of the offensive action did take place on this flank from either sides.
Left back Deneisha Blackwood was given the opportunity to shine with this setup. The former Slavia Prague player put in some astute defensive work, especially in the box dealing with the crosses. She also caused problems moving forwards threatening the space behind France’s Maelle Lakrar. It was an incredible shift from the fullback who was voted as the Player of the Match as well.
Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw was phenomenal all game. The bulldozing forward broke lines with her carries and French could only foul her to stop her in her tracks. She was fouled four times in the game. She exhibited excellent back to play goal, serving as an outlet and involving other players around her.
Shaw’s physical play was unmatched as she bullied players in duel situations with her back to goal. France often put multiple players around her to bring her down. Her ball striking was powerful and dangerous, as evident from that freekick attempt.
For all the good work by Jamaica, it felt like being undone in the last few moments as Bunny Shaw was shown a second yellow, meaning she will miss the next group stage game against Panama. It does tilt the game slightly against them as Jamaica’s captain is a one-player attack at times and winning three points in that game will be imperative for their campaign.
Les Bleues will want to shake off these blues quickly as that is now two back to back games they have failed to score.
Highlight of the day
Tactical timeouts are a big thing in WoSo, it’s pretty divisive. We saw one in Netherlands vs Portugal.