Working simultaneously with the United States’ infuriating efficiency towards Portugal was simply as disappointing of a recreation for the Vietnamese. The one distinction? The United States are the two-time-defending World Cup champions and little was anticipated of Vietnam on the worldwide stage. The Netherlands gained Group E with a 7-0 win, doubtless avoiding Sweden within the Spherical of 16 and incomes a matchup with Italy, South Africa or Argentina as a substitute. The Dutch had 5 completely different goal-scorers, with a quintet of objectives coming by halftime. It’s clear the Netherlands needed to win the group greater than anybody else.
Between Portugal and Vietnam, the USA little doubt had the harder opponent. However the Dutch gave a shit and had the technical skill to trounce a workforce into oblivion, one thing informal American followers have grow to be accustomed to seeing from the Stars and Stripes. It was an entire domination, making the American’s 3-0 victory over Vietnam appear to be youngster’s play. The Netherlands scored seven objectives and deserved extra.
England blasts previous China
Additionally claiming first place in a bunch on Tuesday morning was England, who dispatched and eradicated China with a 6-1 victory. For a Three Lionesses squad that entered the Ladies’s World Cup with reputable query marks as to their offensive prowess, boy have they answered these critics. Contributions from the midfield and on the wings have made the British assault appear to be the workforce that gained the European championships final yr, regardless of the rash of accidents which have taken out 4 starters. Lauren James is placing in an early case to win the Golden Ball with a two-goal, three-assist efficiency towards the Chinese language.
Whereas China was a stylish decide to advance to the knockout phases (together with an incorrect choice from yours actually), the energy of the groups that ought to be in step with the USA by way of high quality actually confirmed on match day 13. It’s not kicking the USA when it’s down, because the Individuals did this to themselves. Sweden, France, and Brazil all have the identical probability to safe their locations within the Spherical of 16 in dominant vogue because the event reaches a fortnight previous. And the identification of the USA’s subsequent opponent will grow to be official, as if anybody actually doubts it’ll be Sweden. England’s Spherical of 16 opponent shall be Nigeria, who received the required factors to get out of the group stage for the primary time, sending Canada house within the course of.
Denmark survives Haiti
Advancing as Group D runners-up are the Danish, who defeated North American upstarts Haiti 2-0, placing themselves on a collision course with Australia for a spot within the quarterfinals. A penalty-kick purpose and a second-half stoppage-time marker was the distinction, with Denmark having to defeat the co-hosts in Sydney to maintain its international desires alive on Monday morning.
Haiti’s loss additionally indicators an general pattern with North America underperforming all through the group stage, with the lone exception being Jamaica, who wants a outcome towards Brazil to not be eradicated in a single day in Kingston. Canada’s troubles had been widespread, the USA have been torpid, Panama was already eradicated and Haiti couldn’t pull any upsets. Fairly a referendum on CONCACAF.
