Former World Cup champion Germany pulled away for a close win, Spain scored its first Cup victory and Norway dominated Saturday, the first full day of matches during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The action continues in France Sunday, the third day of the tournament.
Teams from Group C and Group D begin tournament play Sunday, with dark horse contender Australia beginning the day’s matches against an Italy side at the tournament for the first time in 20 years. Group C’s other match sees Brazil take on Jamaica during the North American nation’s World Cup debut, while 2015 semifinalist England takes on neighbor Scotland to open Group D play.
How to watch
Australia v. Italy
Time: 7 a.m. ET
Location: Valenciennes
TV: Fox Sports 1/Fox Sports Go
What to know: Australia, featuring one of the game’s most impressive goal scorers in Sam Kerr, will look for a strong start at a tournament they hope to win. Boasting talent and experience throughout the roster, including goalkeeper Lydia Williams and midfielder Emily van Egmond, the Matildas will be expected to put on a dominant show.
Italy returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1999 and has the markings of a team on the rise. Coming into the tournament after an undefeated 2019, the team will look to be a surprise contender in Group C with the help of central midfielder Valentina Cernoia.
Brazil v. Jamaica
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Location: Grenoble
TV: Fox Sports 1/Fox Sports Go
What to know: A tournament regular usually expected to make a deep run from, Brazil has fallen on tough times. The team is on a nine-match losing streak and is without six-time FIFA World Player of Year Marta as she deals with a left thigh injury. The versatile Andressa Alves and forward Ludmila may help the Brazilians during her absence.
Jamaica, though, will be no simple test despite being a tournament newcomer. The team has talented attacking players, including Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and the team’s youngest player, 17-year-old Jody Brown. Many believe Jamaica is capable of an impressive World Cup debut after fighting to make its tournament debut.
England v. Scotland
Time: Noon ET
Location: Nice
TV: Fox/Fox Sports Go
What to know: A semifinalist in 2015, England has been on the rise ever since, even under new management with Phil Neville. As a team with a legitimate shot at winning the tournament, England has plenty of talent front to back, with decorated right back Lucy Bronze and attacking options in Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris.
Scotland will be the second team on Sunday to make its World Cup debut, and like the other nations in similar positions, are showing signs of an improving team. An underdog in this match, the team will be relying on captain Rachel Corsie in the back and Erin Cuthbert up top.
What happened yesterday?
Group B — Germany 1-0 China: Giulia Gwinn scored the game’s lone goal in the second half. Gwinn’s powerful 66th-minute shot from the edge of the penalty area flew into the left corner. The ball fell to her after Chinese defenders failed to properly clear a corner floated in from the right. A full recap can be found here.
Group B — Spain 3-1 South Africa: South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana scored in the 25th minute, dodging two defenders before putting her shot in the upper corner and out of goalkeeper Sandra Panos’ reach. South Africa, ranked 49th, was making its first World Cup appearance. Hermoso’s first penalty kick tied it in the 69th minute after South Africa captain Janine Van Wyk was called for a hand ball. She made her second in the 82nd minute, again beating goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. Lucia Garcia added the final goal for Spain and her first international goal in the 89th minute. A full recap can be found here.
Group A — Norway 3-0 Nigeria: Goals from Guro Reiten and Lisa Marie Utland, plus a Nigeria own goal, gave Norway a 3-0 victory Saturday night to open the Women’s World Cup. Reiten and Utland scored in the 17th and 34th minutes, respectively. And Nigeria’s Osinachi Ohale scored an own goal in minute 37, when she raced toward the net after Norway got behind the back line, stuck her leg out and directed the opponent’s shot into the net. A full recap can be found here.
Looking ahead
Two games will be played on Monday.
Group D — Argentina v. Japan (Noon ET, Paris, Fox Sports 1/Fox Sports Go)
Group E — Canada v. Cameroon (3 p.m. ET, Montpellier, Fox Sports 1/Fox Sports Go)
The United States is in the final group and will play its Cup debut match Tuesday.