Women’s World Cup Preview: Round of 16 Teams
The knockout stage of the World Cup has finally arrived, and say what you want about the field expanding to 32. These matchups are going to be historic. It’s been a tournament for the underdogs to shine and shock the world, and we’re bound to see more of that in the Round of 16.
While Spain bested Switzerland 5-1 and Japan beat Norway 3-1, all the other games are set for the upcoming week. So, let’s get into the six remaining matchups and preview the Round of 16 to see who will move on to the Quarterfinals.
Switzerland vs. Spain
This matchup is a great one because someone is going to get to a World Cup Quarterfinal for the first time in their nation’s history. It sounds strange that Spain has never made it to the final eight, but this is only their third World Cup, while it’s Switzerland’s second. While Spain will be favored because they are the better side overall, the Swiss will be content to sit back and look to catch Spain on the counterattack.
Outcome: Spain won 5-1
Japan vs. Norway
Ada Hegerberg’s status is up in the air, and if she does play, then Norway has a much better chance of winning this game. The Norwegians put six past the Philippines, but Japan is an entirely different team. Both teams won the World Cup; Norway took the crown in 1995, and Japan won in 2011. Norway hasn’t advanced past the quarterfinal since 2007, making this a challenging task to beat a Japan team that has been here before and is used to winning at this stage. Japan has a 6-3 record overall against Norway, and considering recent play and how steady Japan is, it’s hard to see them losing. Unless Norway can score from a set piece and defend, Japan should win the game. Jun Endo is the x-factor. She’s Japan’s most creative player and can unlock a defense with her passing. She takes Japan to another level.
Outcome: Japan won 3-1
Netherlands vs. South Africa, 10:00 PM EST/7:00 PM PST, August 5 on Fox
South Africa has been an incredible story getting to the Round of 16 in their second World Cup appearance. I’ve talked about Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana ad nauseam, and they’ve thrived in all their group stage matches by defending and countering. They’ve generated mistakes against weaker teams, and they’ve been clinical with their finishing. Their style of play helps them in this matchup against the Dutch, who love to keep possession. The stage is set for them to pull off another upset, and they will make this game ugly and physical. If the Dutch can withstand that, they should be able to get the win here. If the Dutch can play keep away with the United States and control the tempo of the game, they can do the same here against South Africa. The Netherlands seemed to have returned from their early exit at the Euros and are flying under the radar. South Africa’s run will sadly come to an end.
Prediction: Netherlands wins 3-1
Sweden vs. United States, 5:00 AM ET/2:00 AM PT, August 6 on Fox
A rivalry renewed for the first time in the knockout stage of the World Cup. Sweden has three major wins over the United States. The 2011 World Cup in the Group Stage, the 2016 Olympics in the knockout rounds and the 2020 Olympics in the Group Stage. Outside of that, the USWNT generally wins over Sweden, albeit difficult to get the result because of Sweden’s style. The Swedes enjoy playing more defensive and taking the space to dissect the United States defense. Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn will be the key on the wings. If they defend well and don’t get caught out of position when joining the attack, the United States should be fine. It’s offense and taking chances that’s been the problem for the USWNT. Plus, Rose Lavelle will be out due to yellow card accumulation. Sweden only conceded one goal in the group stages. This feels like it might be a defensive battle assuming both defenses hold up and extra time or penalties will settle it. I’m going with the United States in penalty kicks.
Prediction: United States Wins (1-1) 5-3 in PK Shootout
England vs. Nigeria, 3:30 AM ET/12:30 AM PT, August 7 on FS1
Nigeria are Africa’s most successful team, and they have the most talent of any African nation at the World Cup. If anyone is going to pull off the upset, it’s going to be them. Asisat Oshoala is one of the best strikers in the world who can break the game open at any point. Their defense and goalkeeping has been outstanding up until this point. Can it hold up against Lauren James and England? The Lionesses worked out the kinks from their first two games and came out and put six past China. They’ve made the Semifinals at the last two World Cups and seem poised to do it again. Nigeria has to keep this game low scoring and slow the game down to break England’s rhythm. England has looked like a different team under Sarina Wiegman, even with injuries to key players. The Brits should come out victorious.
Prediction: England wins 2-0
Australia vs. Denmark, 6:30 AM ET/3:30 AM PT, August 7 on FS1
With or without Sam Kerr, the Matildas should be favored to win this matchup. They get a huge boost as the host nation where every game is essentially a home game. They’ve proven they can win without Sam Kerr if need be, and if she does play, she’s obviously one of the best strikers in the world and difficult to defend. The Danes haven’t showed enough in the Group Stage to show they can pull this off unless they make it a boring 0-0 game and steal a winner late. The Matildas’ defense is much improved as well. This might not be a straightforward result, Denmark will make it tough, but the Aussie should advance.
Prediction: Australia wins 2-1
Colombia vs. Jamaica, 4:00 AM ET/1:00 AM PT, August 8 on FS1
These are two teams that few would’ve given a chance to get to the Round of 16, but they square off with the chance to make history. Neither team has made a World Cup Quarterfinal meaning a win would be everything for either nation. Colombia will have most of the possession but has had more success on the counterattack. Look no further than their last game against Morocco. They dominated the ball but couldn’t score. Jamaica managed to keep Brazil and France to 0-0 draws when they sat back and defended. This matchup suits Jamaica better, and I think they’re this year’s Cinderella of the tournament. They’re pulling off this upset, whether in regulation, extra time, or even penalties. Colombia has the pressure to win, whereas the Reggae Girlz can play free, and Jamaica will pull this off.
Prediction: Jamaica wins (0-0) 4-2 in Penalty Shootout
France vs. Morocco, 7:00 AM ET/4:00 AM PT, August 8 on FS1
The country of Morocco is having quite the football renaissance right now. Both the men and women have made major history at the World Cup, and both had showdowns with France in the knockout round. The men came up short, but the women had the chance to do what they couldn’t. While France will be heavily favored, if the Moroccans can defend as they did in the group stage, they can pull off this upset. Plus, France’s defense has been beatable; conceding three goals to Panama was a surprise, although one of them might end up being the goal of the tournament. Morocco has the opportunity of a lifetime to continually inspire the next generation of women. France has been known to drop the ball before, but the 6-0 result that Morocco endured against Germany is too much of a worry about what can happen. France should win the game but don’t count Morocco out of it.
Prediction: France wins 3-1
Featured image via Getty Images
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