Day 6 had a prodigy make her mark, a header that made history and a talented side crumbling like a castle of glass. Another day where history was made but we were also reminded that talent might not always be the best parameter to judge an international side.
Let’s relive the day through some numbers!
Match 16: Colombia 2-0 South Korea
The final game of the first round in group H, the group of runners-up, was Colombia taking on South Korea. Colombia had earned a bad reputation coming into this tournament for being an agressive side after their friendly against Ireland was abandoned inside 20 minutes citing agressive play.
The game did have a duel heavy nature, as there were 26 fouls in the game but none were reckless. Colombia are inherently a very duel heavy side, they like to engage their opponents into 1v1 battles across the pitch and that showed. It also served as a stage for Colombia’s crown jewel to shine.
Colombia started in a 4-2-3-1 with a very fluid front 4 who kept shifting across the width of the pitch interchanging positions, which is why there pass network - which takes into account the average touch location - looks something like this.
It’s also a nod to why sometimes only data can mislead. While the players did crowd the central spaces, they did not exclusively operate from there, it wasn’t a narrow formation because the wingers did stay wide but since they kept interchanging the flanks the average location had them centrally.
Catalina Usme, Mayra Ramirez, Leicy Santos and Linda Caicedo all interchanged positions situationally during the game.
South Korea were in a 3-5-2 formation with veteran midfielders, Cho So-hyun and Ji So-yun, marshalling the midfield alongside Brighton’s Lee Geum-min. Now the problems here began with the midfield composition. With Lee more inclined to move forwards and operate between the lines, Ji and Cho were left with too much ground to cover.
The centerbacks didn’t help as they were too conservative with their positioning and left gaps between midfield and defensive lines, which allowed Colombia to position their players in those gaps. The midfield being left thin made it easy for them to overload with players and fluidity. We can see the gaping holes in South Korea’s formation from their passing network as well.
Mayra Ramirez had a brilliant game serving as a target player up front using her body strength to hold the ball and link play with her teammates. She received a total of 18 progressive passes from her teammates, helping her side move through the thirds by the virtue of her positioning and physical prowess in duels.
The Levante star is a sensational ball carrier for that very reason. She has incredible balance on her carries, allowing her to sustain multiple challenges without breaking her stride. Her low center of gravity enables good close control on the ball as well.
Caicedo continues her journey to the very top of women’s football with yet another feather in her cap. The 18-year-old appeared in her third World Cup inside a year (U17, U20 and senior) and has made her mark in each of the three tournaments. She scored the competition’s first goal from outside the box and even though there was a big goalkeeper mistake involved, she wouldn’t mind that. You can read more about what makes her special in this piece here.
The Liga F power in the South American side showcased with Real Sociedad’s Manuela Vanegas putting in quite a defensive shift and showcasing her quality on the ball as well. It was her shot at goal that resulted in the penalty for Colombia’s opening goal.
Colombia against South Korea was always going to tip the balance of scales in group H and at the moment the Coffee Growers have the upper hand. Morocco have survived the hardest test and will need to bounce back in their next two if they want to proceed. As the second round of games begins, things are starting to heat up.
Match 17: New Zealand 0-1 Philippines
New Zealand kickstarted a dream on the first matchday when they beat Norway 1-0 to record their first ever World Cup win. Today they were on the losing side of history as Philippines recorded their first ever World Cup win by beating New Zealand by the same margin.
The hosts’ dream to progress into the knockout rounds has taken a hit after the result today.
The Football Ferns can consider themselves unlucky because they did come agonizingly close to scoring. They were within an earlobe’s distance from leveling the score only for it to be ruled offside, albeit correctly. They also hit the post in their hunt for an equalizer. It was just not meant to be for the Kiwis.
Tournament football can be cruel and rewarding at the same time depending on what side you end up on. We can see how the Ferns dominated the second half by creating some very good opportunities and entering the final third frequently but couldn’t buy a goal.
When chasing the game, they did lose a bit of control in possession as well and showed some nerves playing in front of the home crowd. They rushed their passes and didn’t really settle on the ball.
Philippines’ story is an interesting one in that despite 22 out of 23 players in the squad have been born outside of Philippines, the feeling of belonging is strong with each and every member.
When Olivia McDaniel made the stupendous save in the dying minutes, the nation stood still and erupted with her. She had turned saviour once again, creating more history. She made some fantastic saves to keep the country in the game and in the tournament.
Sarina Bolden etched her name in the history books once again. After scoring the penalty that secured Philippines their ticket to the World Cup, she became the country’s first ever goalscorer at the World Cup (men’s or women’s). The one aerial duel she won inside the opposition penalty box in the 24th minute will reverberate for generations to come.
She worked hard without the ball, helping her side press and close down the opposition and was their main outlet in behind in attack as well.
"It's not really their home ground, just look around, I think 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐰𝐢𝐬,” said Alen Stajcic the Filipinas head coach. "To see all the smiles on their faces, the noises, 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚. It's brilliant," he added.
It’s a historic day for the Filipinas. Every achievement will set them up for more success in the future and I for one am stoked for them. New Zealand fought bravely and despite the result they still stand a chance to make it to the next round and if we have learned anything from matchday 1, it’s that the Kiwis can fight and they will have a chance to make history again, very soon.
Match 18: Norway 0-0 Switzerland
This was the headlining game of Group A before the tournament began. Things haven’t panned out as expected, especially for Norway.
The Scandinavian side suffered a shock defeat to co-hosts New Zealand in the opener. A loss that opened up a can of worms for Hege Riise’s side.
Beyond the football on the pitch, which was extremely bland and dull, the issues off-the field are a big reason for Norway’s underachievement. They began the game without one of the world’s most threatening winger, Caroline Graham Hansen, in the lineup.
The news being leaked a day before the game didn’t make it any less shocking. Ingrid Engen was benched as well after the midfielder spoke on the tactical shortcomings from the first game. It was almost like they were trying to establish a balance of power in the dressing room.
If things weren’t bad enough, star striker, Ada Hegerberg, pulled out of the game just seconds before kick-off citing a groin problem and was replaced by Sophie Roman Haug in the lineup. The team never really felt like they got going. Their press was half assed and the attack seemed like a weird fit that just didn’t have any synergy.
On the field, it was not a great watch. While Norway were a side with no identity despite the talent, Switzerland did some good bits but lacked any real incisive edge. They couldn’t muster up 1 xG in the entire game. Neither side could dominate territory. Field tilt, a measure for territorial dominance, was shared at 47-53 between the sides, highlighting that neither side could pin the other back.
Things continued to get worse post-match when Caroline Graham Hansen was questioned about her benching. You can find the entire translation here.
"I thought I had earned a certain amount of respect, but maybe that wasn’t the case." - Graham Hansen on her benching.
If Hegerberg’s injury rules her out of the next game, that’s a big loss for Norway who need inspiration to get out of the group stage amidst all the other tactical holes in the side.
Norway have scored none at the tournament despite having the biggest names in attack and have just one point from two games. The Scandinavian nation were given a lease of life after Philippines beat New Zealand earlier but given the way they play, they seem very beatable and Philippines are a spirited side.
Norway will have to turn up because it’s everything to play for and this could easily turn into another dark day in the country’s footballing history after that drubbing at the Euros last year.
Highlight of the day
The day belonged to the Filipinas and watching an Asian nation succeed at the World Cup makes me joyous. It meant a lot for the country and for the players.
You can watch the emotions from Sara Eggesvik, the player who assisted the country’s first ever goal at the World Cup, here.