Netherlands advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup on Sunday with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn scored in each half at the Sydney Football Stadium to secure the 2019 runners-up a place in the last eight. Netherlands lost to the U.S. team in the World Cup final four years ago and look like contenders again after finishing above the Americans in Group E.
The Netherlands secured a spot in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals by ending South Africa's historic run with a 2-0 win in Sydney on Sunday, ahead of a blockbuster last-16 showdown between holders the United States and Sweden.The United States and Sweden are familiar foes, having met six times before at World Cups, but never in the knockout stages.
The verdict is still out on the legitimacy of both Australia and England at the Women's World Cup, where each team has a chance Monday to move into the quarterfinals and make a claim as true tournament contenders. England swept through three games of Group D play and allowed just one goal, which came in an emphatic 6-1 victory over China. But the European Champions were a bit flat in earlier 1-0 wins against Haiti and Denmark. Next up for the Lionesses is a knockout game against Nigeria, which used a 3-2 upset over Australia to move into the round of 16.
In the end, Sam Kerr wasn't needed as Australia advanced to the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup. The star striker has been sidelined since injuring her left calf on the eve of co-host Australia's first game against Ireland on July 20.
Japan have flown in under the radar to become the team to beat, along with England, at the Women's World Cup and boasting the tournament's leading scorer in Hinata Miyazawa."I think we were left behind by the sudden strides that the rest of the world were making," former Japan coach Asako Takakura, who led the team at the 2019 World Cup, told AFP ahead of the 2023 edition.