It’s day 13 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. The games are heating up as places in the round of 16 are cemented with another eight teams fighting it out today.
Yesterday, the Matildas picked up a crucial win to reach the knockout stages, while Japan also sent a statement with a comprehensive victory over Spain.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 13th day of action, as well as what you missed from the day before.
Results from Day 12
- Japan 4-0 Spain
- Costa Rica 1-3 Zambia
- Republic of Ireland 0-0 Nigeria
- Canada 0-4 Australia
What’s on Today
It’s a massive day of football on Optus Sport the two tournament favourites, USA and England, are both in action in their final round of group fixtures.
Vietnam vs Netherlands (5pm AEST)
For the Netherlands, it’s simple. They must better the USA’s result to finish top of the group.
Vietnam are yet to pick up a point or even score in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and have already been eliminated from the tournament going into the final round of fixtures following their defeat to Portugal last time out.
The Netherlands will be buoyed from earning a point against the USA in a repeat of the 2019 final and finishing top of this group will be crucial in almost certainly avoiding Sweden in the round of 16.
The Dutch are two goals worse off than the USA so will be in all-out attack mode in order to avoid this fate in the next round.
Portugal vs USA (5pm AEST)
For the USA, the scenario is exactly the same as for the Netherlands, albeit two goals easier.
Beating tournament debutants Portugal will be imperative to finishing top, with a draw seeing them drop to second if Netherlands beat Vietnam and defeat seeing them drop out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ altogether, assuming the Dutch don’t lose.
An early goal will settle the nerves and allow the USWNT to push forward for more goals to make sure they are not leapfrogged at the top of the group and are rewarded with a last-16 game against probably either Italy or South Africa.
Goals have not been as free-flowing as the States might have envisioned so far yet and Portugal are stubborn defensively.
China vs England (9pm AEST)
Only a point is needed for the Lionesses to finish top of Group D having won both of their games 1-0 so far in the tournament.
Their reward for doing so will be a last-16 game against Nigeria but a defeat against China will open the door for a potential shock exit.
If China were to beat England by more than one goal and Denmark were to beat Haiti by more than one goal, then England will be eliminated.
They will be up against it as they will play without Keira Walsh, who injured her knee against Denmark but avoided a suspected ACL tear.
Haiti vs Denmark (9pm AEST)
Denmark are favourites to go through to the next round as Group D runners-up and face Australia but they go into the game with Haiti knowing that they must match or better China’s result to go through.
The Danish are in a strong position and know a win against a goalless and pointless Haiti will guarantee their passage through to the next round.
Even a draw will see Denmark through if England do them a favour and beat China.
Players to Watch
Danielle van de Donk (Netherlands)
Danielle van de Donk was engaged in an enthralling midfield battle with her club-mate Lindsey Horan against the United States and more than held her own, putting in a strong performance.
She will continue to drive the Netherlands midfield forward in a game where they need to score as many goals as possible to overhaul the USA at the top of the group.
Sophia Smith (USA)
Sophia Smith is the USA’s top scorer at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ after her two goals in the opening game against Vietnam and has looked like their most dangerous attacking outlet since.
Her relationship with Trinity Rodman and Alex Morgan across the front three will be key for a US side not finding the next as consistently as they’d have hoped so far.
Lauren James (England)
Everyone was called for her inclusion from the start for the first game but she had to settle for an off-the-bench cameo, but just six minutes into the Lionesses’ second game she proved why there was such clamour.
A stunning effort from the edge of the box gave England all three points but her performance throughout was a breath of fresh air, a calm breeze in a chaotic storm of end-to-end football.
Where to Watch
Like every game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Vietnam vs Netherlands, Portugal vs USA, China vs England and Haiti vs Denmark will all be shown live and on-demand on Optus Sport.
Live coverage begins from 4pm (AEST) on Optus Sport with Portugal vs USA on Optus Sport 1, with Vietnam vs Netherlands playing out simultaneously on Optus Sport 2. The coverage on Optus Sport 1 runs through to China vs England while Haiti vs Denmark will air on Optus Sport 2.
If you’re looking for a place to watch the games in a bar, pub, or in front of a big live screen, we’ve got the best spots in your city here.
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