FootyPop: A Whole Lot of International Games

This weekend, the best of the best footy players from around the world swapped their club jerseys for their country kits and took the field for international games. Of course, the men have done so for the start of Euro 2020, but don’t you forget the gals. A whole host of friendlies took place this weekend from Uruguay to Denmark to right here on US soil. Now, there’s a whole lotta games to make a note of here, so 1. Bear with me as I try to pack it into this five-story round-up. 2. I’ll certainly miss some important scorelines. Feel free to yell at me at @HannahLichten on Twitter. Ok, let’s dive into the latest women’s soccer news. 

Several Teams in Action on Thursday

Kicking things off, a lot of big names were in action on Thursday (aka weekend eve). A heavyweight match-up between France and Germany ended 1-0 to the French thanks to a goal from Kenza Dali. The Aussies traveled all the way to Denmark for their Thursday clash and almost pulled off an incredible late comeback… but they fell to the home side 3-2. Meanwhile, Spain handled Belgium 3-0, Scotland fell to Northern Ireland 1-0, and Italy beat the Netherlands 1-0.

Speaking of 1-0 victories and European teams, a Sam Mewis goal on Weekend Eve lifted the USWNT over Portugal in Houston.

More European Teams in Action on Friday

*Catches breath* Ok, we keep going. The action continued on Friday on the European continent as Iceland beat Ireland in a 3-2 thriller in Reykjavík. After being down 2-0 in the first half to Finland, Poland came back to tie with two second-half goals from Dominika Grabowska and Ewa Pajor. In Spain on Friday, Brazil and Russia faced off. Two goals from Bruna Benites and a strike from Andressa gave the Brazilians a 3-0 win. 

Morocco Gets the Dub Against Mali

And it sure was a performance to be proud of! The Atlas Lionesses beat Mali 3-0. Tottenham Hotspur forward Rosella Ayane scored the opener, Basel midfielder Imane Soud scored the second, and Dijon FC’s Amani Salma added the final blow in extra time. Moroccan goalkeeper Arouaissa Ines also saved a PK in the 34th minute to maintain the clean sheet. 

Japan and Uruguay Both Dominate in 5-1 Wins

Moving east from Europe to Asia now. In Tochigi on Saturday, Japan put five past the visiting Mexicans. All goals came from five different goalscorers – Iwabuchi, Tanaka, Momiki, Kinoshita, and Endo. 19-year-old Alison González got the lone goal for Mexico.

Keep going East. Keep goin’…Keep goin’. Hey, look, we’re in South America now! The Puerto Rico women’s national team traveled to Montevideo to play Uruguay on Saturday. The home side also beat the visitors 5-1. 19-year-old Belén Aquino notched a brace while Esperanzo Pizarro, Karol Bermúdez, and Stefany Micaela Suárez got the others. Puerto Rico’s goal was an Uruguay own goal. 

USWNT Beat Jamaica 4-0 in Second Game of Summer Series

Fans barely had enough time to take their seats before the US attack got things moving against Jamaica on Sunday night. It only took 24 seconds for Carli Lloyd to get the home side on the scoreboard, a strike that saw her become the oldest player to score for the US in US Soccer history. Just a few minutes later, Lindsey Horan converted a PK after Christen Press was tripped up in the box. Then, in the 22nd, Midge Purce got her second international goal in just her third start, cooly collecting and slotting home a cross from Press.

Alex Morgan gave the win an exclamation point with just seconds left on the clock, scoring a header off a Sam Mewis cross. The USWNT extends their unbeaten streak to 41 and will meet Nigeria on Wednesday in the last game of the Summer Series.

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