Day 8 had a rematch of last edition’s finale, a debutant dazzling their way to their first win and Nigeria landing a suckerpunch on the host nation. It was a showcase of some brilliant football. It answered some questions and raised a handful of others.
As the final round of games approaches, group A, B and E seem to be heading towards a nailbiting finish that might come down to goal difference.
Let’s breakdown some bits from today’s action!
Match 22: USA 1-1 Netherlands
This was one of the most anticipated games of the World Cup since the draw was made. A rematch for last edition’s final, a shot at revenge even though this won’t hand you a trophy but it would mean a lot for the bragging rights and the top spot in the group.
Vlatko Andonovski named an unchanged lineup from the previous game. The star of the previous final, Rose Lavelle, was named on the bench yet again so the surprise of many. The 4-3-3 still had Alex Morgan leading the line while being flanked by Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman.
It’s the midfield where a lot of questions were raised but Andi Sullivan reprised her role as the #6 while Julie Ertz continued at center-back.
Netherlands looked very different from that final four years ago. A 3-5-2 that has become the norm under Andries Jonker was in action once again. The Dutch were forced into one change due to injury, as Katja Snoeijs replaced Lineth Beerensteyn up front.
The game lived up to its billing as Netherlands looked like the better side for much of the first half using their structural advantage and USA’s poor pressing scheme to their advantage. The natural width on offer in a back three formation was key in Netherland’s chance creation and progression mechanism.
This snapshot from the sequence that gave Orange Lionesses the lead was indicative of the matchup between the two sides. Jill Roord tidied up this move and gave the 2017 European Champions the lead inside 20 minutes. This was the first time the Stars and Stripes were trailing in a World Cup game since 2011 quarterfinals, a streak of 17 straight matches.
The US didn’t apply pressure on the CBs, giving them ample time to pick out passes to the wingbacks who could then progress the ball via carries. The 4-3-3 press from US has shown deficiencies in the past as well and one would expect this to hurt them at some point.
The Dutch did an excellent job in dealing with the American frontline by having their CBs stick close to them when receiving, denying them space to turn and forcing them back immediately. This allowed for their midfield trio to close them down and produce turnovers.
Andonovski made a change and introduced Lavelle into the mix. The midfielder instantly added a creative zinger and was responsible to the improvements in the second half from the US. She produced the assist for the equalizer, which was dispatched into the back of the net by an angry Lindsey Horan.
Another key aspect that helped the US gain momentum here was the substitution of Aniek Nouwen at half time. The young centerback failed to execute the tight marking instructions as well and that allowed the forward line, especially Morgan, to receive and turn in front of the backline.
The US just grew into the game beyond this point, creating multiple chances and even putting one in the back of the net with Morgan but it was ruled out for offside.
Surprisingly Andonovski made no further changes till the full-time whistle. Players like Lynn Williams and Megan Rapinoe remained on the bench.
The game ended in a well fought draw and Jonker’s comments pre-match seemed to have some ground. A lot of questions remain for the US to answer however.
Do they continue with Sullivan as the #6 despite her struggling to find her feet in that role? Do they keep playing Ertz at CB despite the midfield calling for her? Why aren’t the US making use of their bench? Can the Stars and Stripes improve on their pressing scheme?
How they answer them will determine how far the US go in this edition of the WWC. The weaknesses are apparent and teams have caught up to them, US will have to make use of their talent depth in these scenarios to better set up for their opponent.
The Dutch arguably played their best football in the first half and despite that struggled to keep the US quiet in the second half. While this performance gives them a confidence boost, it was far from perfect.
Match 23: Portugal 2-0 Vietnam
After suffering a defeat in their opening games, both the sides were looking to bounce back and one of them truly did. The Iberian debutants put in a brilliant showcase against Vietnam and scored their first goal and secured their first win in the competition.
Francisco Neto’s side lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation and made seven changes from their opening day lineup. Youngsters, Andreia Jacinto, Kika Nazareth and Telma Encarnação, were introduced into the lineup and they lit up the stage.
Vietnam were lined-up in a 5-4-1 formation that morphed into 5-3-2 against the ball trying to apply pressure on Portugal’s backline. This was easily undone by the numerical advantage Portugal had in the first phase with their back three formation. They easily manipulated Vietnam’s block with some good countermovements.
Portugal’s pass map was a thing of beauty and underlined how well they executed their plan in a 3-4-1-2. There was enough fluidity but at the same time positional clarity among the players to occupy the right zones. Jacinto and Nazareth constantly showed up for the ball beyond the first line of pressure and were found with ease. They could then show their technical brilliance to evade any incoming challenges.
In the final third, things were very well complemented by the channel runs and directness of Telma and Jessica Silva. This made it difficult for Vietnam defence for keep track of all the moving parts. This made chance creation very slick for the European side.
Two first half goals from Kika and Telma helped Neto’s side pick up their first win in the competition. The youngsters became the third and fourth youngest goalscorers at this edition’s World Cup respectively, while writing their names in the folklore of Portuguese football.
Heralded as one of the brightest stars in the country, Kika Nazareth, started the game after an injury scare in the lead up to the tournament and she announced herself in the best possible way. She showcased her technical brilliance on the ball in 1v1 situations and tight spaces.
Her quality to show up beyond the first line of pressure to help progress play in evident in her progressive pass reception map and her linebreaking creativity is visible in her pass map. The 20-year-old is a special talent, one that we will keep hearing about a lot in the future.
Another player who quietly ran the show for Portugal was Real Sociedad’s Andreia Jacinto. The 21-year-old was sound in possession, picking up nice positions to receive and help in progression with her range in distribution. She helped in regaining possession in the middle of the park with her ability in duels and smart positioning to pick up loose balls. She was able to create chances for her side while breaking press with her shifty nature on the ball.
With this win and the draw between Netherlands and USA, Portugal do have a chance to progress to the next round but will need to beat the reigning defending champions USA. It’s a mammoth task and might be too much to ask but in tournament football you never say never.
Match 24: Australia 2-3 Nigeria
This was easily the best game of the tournament thus far. The Super Falcons left the home crowd stunned as they pulled off a major ‘upset’ to leave group B wide open. It is a major upset in the context of how the odds were stacked against them by their own federation’s doing.
Australia lost yet another player coming into this game, youngster Mary Fowler was ruled out following a concussion in training. This forced their hand to rejig further and play Emily van Egmond as a part of the front two in Tony Gustavsson’s 4-4-2 setup.
The change didn’t exactly work well.
While Van Egmond scored the opener with a late run into the box in the added extra time of the first half, she didn’t fill the Kerr-shaped hole in the Matildas lineup. Nigeria equalized through Uchenna Kanu just moments later.
A trouble from corner and a mistake at the back later, Matildas found themselves chasing the game 3-1. The pressure was on them to respond in front of the home crowd and they resorted to a tactic they were equipped to exploit in the current set-up.
The Matildas started going long and looking for crosses without the aerial demon that they usually have.
If we look at Australia’s deep completion entries, a patter quickly becomes evident. We see a lot of the penalty box entries originate from a similar spot on the right half of the pitch. These balls were aimed at the far post towards the head of Caitlin Foord. The Matildas attempted 73 long balls and 35 crosses in the game.
The right hand side for Australia was responsible for many of these hopeful balls into the box. Ellie Carpenter (11) and Katrina Gorry (9) lead the charts for deep completion in the game and both operated from that right hand side.
Australia are a side set-up to play for Sam Kerr and rightly so. You play to your strengths and having one of the best goalscorers in women’s football is a luxury not many can afford but with Kerr out of the equation, Matildas have still persisted with this playstyle.
This has resulted in them being wasteful on the ball a lot of the times when keeping the ball and passing it around would have opened up better avenues.
Nigeria were set-up to play direct through their tricky and fast forwards like Kanu, Ajibade and later on Oshoala. All three caused ample problems to the Australian backline. Among them Ajibade particularly stood out for her brilliant and relentless ball carrying, take-ons in transition and serving as an outlet as well. She worked hard off the ball too to disrupt Tillies’ progression.
Oshoala’s pressing forced an error at the back from Alanna Kennedy that resulted in the third goal for Nigeria. The Barcelona forward became the first African player to score in three different World Cups.
Kennedy, who played as a makeshift forward in the closing minutes, scored a header at the end but it could only reduce the deficit in half, which might come handy if goal difference comes into play.
Australia’s fate rests in their own hands. Win the next game and they are guaranteed a spot in the round of 16. Not all is lost but the Matildas have definitely left it for late.
One thing spoken about a lot with this version of the Matildas is their never say die attitude and today with their backs against the walls, they did showcase that spirit and will have to channel it against Canada on last matchday.
Will Kerr be forced to play through the injury to inspire her side out of the group stage or will the hosts bow out from the group stages? Time will tell.
Elsewhere in Nigeria, everyone in the country will be screaming “LET’S FUCKING GO!”
Highlight of the day
Oshoala screaming LET’S FUCKING GO
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