Day 10 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opened with Italy facing off against Sweden and was followed by France taking on Brazil and Panama going up against Jamaica.
Couldn’t watch and need to know what the big story is? This is what happened on the tenth day of the World Cup.
Your bite-sized recap of Day 10 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Sweden 5, Italy 0
The Big Story: Sweden scored three goals in a six minute window at the end of the first half and another two in the second half to clinch a spot in the knockout round.
The Big Moment: After Chelsea midfielder Johanna Kaneryd earned a corner for Sweden, Amanda Ilestedt was able to put the corner taken by Jonna Andersson into the netting with a well placed header. The goal marked the beginning of the flood gates breaking for Swedish scoring.
What it means: Italy controlled the first part of the match, tallying six shots in the first 17 minutes and not allowing Sweden a shot until the 20th minute, but then the tides turned and they could not get out of the riptide no matter how hard they tried. A kick save by Francesca Durante 1-v-1 against Stina Blackstenius momentarily held the match at 1-0 but Sweden scored twice in the next two minutes sending Italy to the locker room at halftime down 3-0.
Sweden came out of the locker room for the second half looking for blood. Within five minutes, they again scored on a corner (that’s three on the night) with Amanda Ilestedt earning a brace. After the score went to 4-0, Sweden continued with the dangerous chances, controlling most of the match and not allowing Italy to get any more shots on frame. In stoppage time San Diego Wave forward Sofia Jakobsson was able to head a ball onto the run Rebecka Blomqvist, who had Italian defenders chasing her nearly half the length of the pitch cooly slotted the ball to make it 5-0.
Italy’s hope for making the knock-out round are not gone. They can clinch a spot with a win in their last group match against South Africa, but with their new goal differential a tie will put their future in the hands of the other teams in Group G, and a loss will send them home.
— Taylor Vincent
France 2, Brazil 1
The Big Story: Consider it a surprise. France topped Brazil in a wild, 2-1, match, with big goals from Eugiene Le Sommer and Wendie Renard.
The Big Moment: Wendie Renard’s goal takes this spot. Whenever you need her, Renard is there, with her tall frame and constant presence within the box. When France earned a corner in the 83rd minute, Renard, undoubtedly, stepped into the box. Renard found space open at the far post, heading it diagonally and to the low corner.
What it means: The result helps France, and, in their group, does not help a team like Jamaica. France picked up three points, which puts Les Bleus at the top of the group with four points. This is certainly considered a step back for a fully healthy Brazil side, but a major boost of confidence for the French.
Le Sommer kicked things off with a goal in the 17th minute, off a cooly whipped header. However, the build up was just as impressive, with Grace Geyoro sending in a long ball to Kadidiatou Diani, who bounced it off her head to Le Sommer’s head. It was a quick goal, and everything was timed right — it had to be.
Debinha found the equalizer for Brazil, giving herself a little volley in front of net after an initial blocked shot was passed to her.
The Brazilians had a chance for a final play, with a free kick in second half stoppage time. Andressa stood over it and while the ball hit off a couple of yellow-shirted players, Brazil couldn’t find a final answer. The Brazilians had 11 shots, with only two on goal. Only one other shot — besides Debinha’s goal — threatened French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud Magnin. Meanwhile, the French had 17 shots, with seven on goal to create chaos for Brazilian goalkeeper Letícia Izidoro Lima da Silva.
The group finale will see France taking on Panama, while Brazil will face Jamaica.
— Rachael Kriger
Panama 0, Jamaica 1
The Big Story: In this historic, all-Concacaf matchup, the Jamaicans earned three points and put themselves in second place in Group F.
The Big Moment: Allyson Swaby scored the first goal for Jamaica in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In 2019, the Jamaicans had one goal, thanks to Havana Solaun. Swaby’s goal counted as the game-winner, assisted on the corner kick by Trudi Carter.
What it means: For Jamaica, everything. The Reggae Girlz showed off their prowess against their Concacaf foe, and are now sitting in second place in Group F, one spot above Brazil. Simply put, if Jamaica ties or beats Brazil in the Group F finale on Aug. 2, then Jamaica will stun the Brazilians and advance to the knockout round.
For Panama, their hopes for the knockout round are officially closed, being eliminated with two losses. However, Panama will play for pride against France on Aug. 2.
In the match, Panama woke up and started to throw attacking balls down the pitch in the last 15 minutes, plus stoppage time. However, one crucial moment went Panama’s way, when defender Wendy Natis was originally called for a handball, but VAR brought it back.
In the Group F finale, Jamaica will regroup with star striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who was suspended for this match due two yellow cards in the match against France. Jamaica is on a hot-streak right now, and will give Brazil a run for their money.
For both teams, it was a moment to appreciate history. Jamaica qualified for the World Cup last summer in the Concacaf Women’s Championship, along with the U.S., Canada and Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Panama — and Haiti — qualified for the World Cup in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs. There were 11 teams, and three spots up for grabs, with two Concacaf teams taking spots. It was a match that showed off the chaotic glory of Concacaf, and the grit of Jamaica, and the perseverance of Panama to fight back. It was the first time, in the group stage, that two Concacaf teams faced each other.
— Rachael Kriger
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