Hi all, sorry this newsletter is going out later than expected due to some personal reasons. The next one with the chaos that ensued in group H will be up shortly. Thanks for understanding.
We are two weeks deep into the tournament. Group stage is heading to a close. All but two teams are now confirmed for the round of 16.
Day 14 produced two of the best stories of the World Cup while it also brought an end to one of the most storied careers in women’s football.
Jamaica and South Africa made it to their first ever knockout round ahead of the big names like Italy and Brazil. They did this inspite of their federations, defying all the odds.
The elimination of Brazil was also the last of footballing legend Marta. It was a bitter end to an inspirational career.
Today’s selection include two very high stake games in group F and group G:
South Africa vs Italy
Jamaica vs Brazil
Let’s break down this bittersweet day of World Cup action!
Match 43: South Africa 3-2 Italy
Italy were a side on the rise four years ago. A 16 year long thirst for a World Cup dream was quenched with a quarter-final run, after finishing on top of their group.
Four years on from that achievement, Italy look a disjointed side who are their own worst enemies. Le Azzurre never seem to have recovered from the 5-0 mauling at the opening game of last year’s Euros.
It seems like Italy has lost the plot.
South Africa, the Women’s African Cup of Nations winners, were fighting their own federation over payments just two weeks before the start of the tournament seem to have come a long way from the side that made its debut in 2019.
From having scored just one goal in 2019 and losing all three games, South Africa could have won all three of their games this year. The WAFCON have scored 6 goals this time around although they have conceded twice in each of the three group stage games.
Banyana Banyana were in the lead at some point in all their group stage games this year but lacked the game management to be able to see the game out. Losing 2-1 to Sweden to a late goal and giving away a two goal lead against Argentina for 2-2 draw.
This game was about game management again and Italy outdid South Africa in that department.
Milena Bertollini started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Giacinti up top but included an unfamiliar name at center-back. The 23-year-old Sassuolo defender, Benedetta Orsi, who has six caps to her name was starting her first World Cup game instead of the experienced names.
Bold move, much like the selection of Julia Dragoni in the roster, but it backfired spectacularly.
Orsi was directly responsible for 2/3 goals South Africa scored. Her performance significantly got worse after she scored an own goal in 31st minute (I would say the goalkeeper is at just as much fault for this due to her positioning on the sequence).
Italy were the more threatening side in the game, especially in the first half. They generated an xG of over 3 in the game and arguably should have scored more. The idea of playing Giacinti as the target and allow Chiara Beccari (#14) to play off of her worked well and Cristiana Girelli’s introduction in the second half gave them a genuine target up front.
Italy were essentially using a 3-5-2 in possession and a 4-4-2 against it. using a back three during the buildup with Lisa Boattin tucking in on the outside of the centerbacks allowing the right back (Di Giuglielmo) to push up aggressively. Instead of working their way through the opposition, Italy almost always went direct to Giacinti in order to progress the ball. The reason was that South Africa’s 4-1-4-1 left some space between the lines to be exploited.
Italy were interesting from their corners as well. Bertolini’s side crowded the six-yard box with five players, making it difficult for the goalkeeper to claim and looked to win first contact at near post to cause problems. It worked well on a few ocassions.
South Africa were also in a 4-2-3-1 that was geared towards operating on the break with Thembi Kgatlana as the focal point. Against the ball, Banyana Banyana were in a vertically compact 4-1-4-1, with one screening presence trying to recover possession and turn it up as quickly as possible.
Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia were excellent at attacking the channels. Italy’s lines were easily broken through, especially on the right hand side with Orsi and Di Giuglielmo (who was stationed high up), with quick exchanges. This resulted in multiple chances created in the same fashion as the winning goal.
Giacinti was great in the game acting as a great outlet up front. She was very mobile, shifting across the width of the pitch receiving and linking play all over. Her actions didn’t just help provide Italy with a vertical option but also came in high value zones. She showed her value even after Girelli came on and played off of her serving as the outlet.
Kgatlana has established herself as a national hero. The forward fighting through a personal tragedy over the last few weeks came out clutch for her nation when needed. She was integral in making the 4-1-4-1 off-the-ball approach from South Africa viable by offering as the outlert up front. Upon receiving she was excellent at carrying the ball into threatening areas and using her quick feet to dribble her way from multiple challenges.
For Italy it felt like another iron fisted approach to try and either move on or not incorporate top domestic players. AS Roma’s Serturini and Glionna didn’t see many minutes on the pitch. Girelli and Bartoli were shunned out in the name of moving on from old guard.
It was a confused approach. The urge to shake things up and break the wheel overpowered the need to make the transition smooth. Incorporating youth will always come with growing pains and Italy will have to accept that but throwing youth in the deep end will likely break them rather than making them.
Desiree Ellis to guide South Africa to their first ever knockouts feels right. A founding member of the team is leading them to greater heights. The world will take note of their performances and celebrations as they prepare to face the runners-up from 2019, Netherlands.
Match 44: Jamaica 0-0 Brazil
This game was all about the narratives. A swan song for one of football’s greatest ever personalities against a story of persistence and defiance.
Jamaica, a side that came into existence not long ago and has lacked any form of support from their federation. The Reggae Girlz were disbanded just 15 years ago and revived in 2014. The team is backed by Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella Marley, who provides for them financially, when their federation has failed them time and time again.
Jamaica had never reached the knockout rounds of a Women's World Cup. Brazil hadn't failed to advance past the group stage in 1995.
All of that changed within 90 minutes.
The football on display was not the easiest watch. It was scrappy and wasteful on the ball. Jamaica had a passing accuracy of below 50% and to be fair, their idea was to bank against Brazil and look for an opening on the break with a Shaw serving as an unmissable target, which they did.
They had their wide players drop into the backline situationally and defend with a line of six against Brazil. They were very passive in their approach at times, inviting Brazil to attack the box almost. They made 52 clearances, again highlighting how low their line of engagement was.
Pia Sundhage’s side failed to capitalize on their domination on the ball.
Jamaica barely had any strong passing connections or go to routes for progression except route 1. To be fair to them they weren’t bothered by it. All they needed was a draw to proceed. It was Brazil who this wastefulness and inability to turn settled possession into good chances hurt.
Man City’s Bunny Shaw was a one-play attack for Jamaica. Her bulldozing presence up front allowed Jamaica to fall back deep and still look threatening despite Shaw being isolated. The 26-year-old was all alone up front receiving the pass with a player on her, facing goalwards and taking on the opposition. Even if she didn’t succeed in creating any real threat goal wise, she did buy her defence breathing time to regroup again.
Drew Spence had a good game for Jamaica and looked proactive on the ball. She was seen forcing the issue to progress play with her passing, break lines via her carries and try to create something apart from the ‘hoof it to the big one up front’ approach. Defensively she was alert and moved across well to cover. A very tidy performance.
The Reggae Girlz has a sister duo shoring up the defence for them at centerback. One half of them, Allyson Swaby, had some pretty good box defending moments. The 26-year-old had 14 clearances and was good in her duels for large parts. Old school no nonsense defending stuff for most parts.
Jamaica’s run has included three cleansheets, including a goalless draw against France and Brazil. Becky Spencer has been a major part of that, she has made some crucial saves and has commanded her area well.
It’s amazing to watch a side win despite their odds and Jamaica are that story. From having to organize a GoFundMe to reach Australia and New Zealand to getting a result against Brazil and France, Jamaica have defied everything. After losing their all three games at the previous World Cup to losing none four years later, shows undeniable progress despite the federation being a legit obstacle.
This is a story of success and hopefully this is a story that marks a change.
Speaking of change, For Brazil and for world football this marks a before and after moment. It’s hard to imagine Brazil without Marta (at least for me). Her rocking up that 10 jersey to produce the most outrageous stuff on the field and be iconic with her speeches in her red lipstick and nails will always give me goosebumps.
In 2019, Marta said “there won’t be Formiga, Cristiane or Marta forever.” It felt preposterous at that time, as if these legends would defy age. Four years later, those words have sunk in and it still feels preposterous.
Perhaps a glimpse into Marta’s legacy was that little chat we saw between Bunny Shaw and her at the end. Perhaps it’s those parents coming up to her telling her that their daughter wants to be like Marta.
Whatever it is, football will miss Marta and there will never be another one like her.
Highlight of the day
This freekick by Marta Cox is the goal of the tournament guys. Pack your bags everyone, we have a winner!