Brought to you by TABtouch – better your bet this Women’s World Cup.
The group stage of the Women’s World Cup is all wrapped up and now we get down to the nitty-gritty of tournament football.
Some favourites have struggled, while others have emerged as front-runners to take home the entire thing.
It’s the first Round of 16 in FIFA Women’s World Cup history and we have been presented with some tantalising matchups.
We’ve delved into each matchup and given our predictions on how we see the rest of the tournament playing out from now until the World Cup final.
Switzerland vs Spain
Date: Saturday, August 5
Where: Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland
Spain’s key player: Alexia Putellas - She’s been working up her fitness throughout the tournament and now it’s time for the Ballon d’Or winner to show why she’s the best in the world.
Switzerland’s key player: Ramona Bachmann - the third most capped player in the Swiss team and also the second highest scorer in the team.
Spain’s story so far: They absolutely dominated in their first two group games against Costa Rica and Zambia, but suffered a brutal 4-0 loss to Japan in their final group game. There have been problems off the field for Spain but they are expected to push forward and be itching to put that huge loss behind them.
The story so far: Two 0-0 draws in the group stage bolsters a problem for the Swiss side. Without a huge goalscoring pedigree this tournament they could struggle against Spain.
Prediction: Spain to win on penalties.
Netherlands vs South Africa
Date: Sunday, August 6
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Netherland’s key player: Jill Roord - the creative midfielder has proven to be a goalscoring revelation this tournament. She’s notched up three goals and has consistently controlled the tempo throughout the competition.
South Africa's key player: Thembi Kgatlana - The woman to hand South Africa their first-ever win at a Women’s World Cup and first knockout stage birth. The star forward is one of the most influential footballers in the country and is key to the team’s performance.
Netherland’s story so far: The Dutch have looked like serious contenders in this tournament. Undefeated, and holding tournament favourites USA to a 1-1 draw. They could be serious dark horses going forward.
South Africa's story so far: What a way to qualify. The African side lost their first game to Sweden, then collapsed against Argentina to draw 2-2 after being two up. However, their final game is what football dreams are made of - Thembi Kgatlana with a 92nd-minute winner against Italy to send them to the knockout stages. They’ve been entertaining to watch and could cause an upset.
Prediction: Netherlands in extra-time. South Africa will show heart as they’ve shown throughout the tournament but will be knocked out in extra time.
Japan vs Norway
Date: Saturday, August 5
Where: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Japan’s key player: Saki Kumagai - Japan hasn’t conceded a single goal this World Cup and Kumagai is a huge reason for that. The experienced defender is an absolute leader, and is a key part of their transition play from defence through to the midfield with her passing ability.
Norway’s key player: Sophie Roman Haug - Norway struggled to score until their final group game, when Roman Haug bagged a hattrick. That momentum will be key against Japan.
Japan’s story so far: Arguably the best team in the tournament so far. They haven’t conceded a single goal, while scoring 11 in the process - we could see them go all the way.
Norway’s story so far: They only just etched through the group stage thanks to a relatively easy final group game against the Philippines. A shock loss to New Zealand - it hasn’t been their tournament so far.
Prediction: Japan to continue their dominance.
Sweden vs United States
Date: Sunday, August 6
Where: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
Sweden's key player: Magdalena Eriksson - She’s one of the best defenders in the world and has been key to clean sheets against Italy and Argentina. Against a United States who are struggling to fire she could cause all sorts of problems for their forwards.
United States’ key player: Alex Morgan - she’s yet to turn the tournament alight which has perhaps gone hand in hand with America’s subpar performance. If the USA are to progress to the later stages she’ll be key.
Sweden's story so far: Three wins from three from Sweden. It was a tight game against South Africa that ultimately came down to a 90th-minute winner. But their performances against Italy and Argentina proved why they are one of the best women’s football teams in the world.
United States’ story so far: They haven’t dominated as many would have expected and finished second in their group for the first time since 2011. But you can’t rule out the defending World Champions - or can you?
Prediction: I’m going to do it. Sweden to knock out the defending champions.
England vs Nigeria
Date: Monday, August 7
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
England’s key player: Lauren James - This has been Lauren James’ tournament. From not starting the first game to now being the revelation of the World Cup so far. Three goals, three assists, and two Player of the Match awards - she’s turned it on this World Cup.
Nigeria’s key player: Asisat Oshoala - The Barcelona star changed the game against Australia and there’s no doubt the Nigerians rely on her upfront.
England’s story so far: The European Champions have looked seriously impressive so far. They’ve been one of the most entertaining teams to watch this tournament with three wins from three. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it all the way to the final.
Nigeria’s story so far: They surprised many this tournament. They didn’t record a single loss and shocked Australia in the group stage. But two 0-0 draws may be cause for concern.
Prediction: England to win.
Colombia vs Jamaica
Date: Tuesday, August 8
Where: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne
Colombia's key player: Linda Caicedo - At just 18 years old, the Real Madrid player is already a store. She dazzled in the group stage, showing off some brilliant footwork and finishing ability. There have been some concerns for her health after it was reported she collapsed in training, and then again while playing against Germany. However, she featured in the next game against Morocco, so fans will be hoping the health issues are behind her.
Jamaica’s key player: Khadija Shaw - She was sent off in the first game against France, and has yet to put a proper impact on the tournament, but there’s no doubt she is Jamaica’s star player. A standout striker for Manchester City - she is Jamaica’s all-time leading goalscorer across both men’s and women’s football. If she turns it on, Jamaica’s goalscoring problems will be forgotten.
Colombia's story so far: A disappointing loss to Morocco, however, the job was already done before the final group game. They've looked like one of the most creative teams on and off the pitch. Their last-minute winner against Germany summarised exactly why Colombia could be a threat in the later stages.
Jamaica’s story so far: They only scored one goal in the entire group stage. But one goal was enough, especially when they kept a clean sheet in all three games. Keeping Brazil and France goalless is an impressive task in itself, and they have proven they could be a nuisance to any big side.
Prediction: Colombia to send Jamaica packing.
Australia vs Denmark
Date: Monday, August 7
Where: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Australia’s key player: Hayley Raso - she’s emerged as a leader and an instrumental part of the team in Sam Kerr’s absence. Her tenacity and never-say-die attitude encapsulate everything the Matildas are about.
Denmark’s key player: Penile Harder - she’s the crown jewel of the Danish side. While not completely turning the tournament on its head so far, she has shown signs of brilliance and has been key when Denmark has performed well.
Australia’s story so far: There was cause for concern after the host’s shock loss to Nigeria. We were presented with the possibility that the Matildas may not make it out of the group stages. But those worries were soon extinguished against Olympic Champions Canada with a dominating performance. The question still remains - will Sam Kerr play a part in the tournament?
Denmark’s story so far: Apart from the England game, Denmark has looked relatively impressive so far. Solid wins against China and Haiti saw them comfortably through the group.
Prediction: Australia to go through after a tight game.
France vs Morocco
Date: Tuesday, August 8
Where: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
France's key player: Kadidiatou Diani - Diani has emerged as a contender for the Golden Boot with her hat trick performance against Panama. She's proven for PSG that she is lethal, and after securing a move to Lyon and confidence high expect her to be deadly for France.
Morocco's key player: Anissa Lahmari - She's solidified herself as a key part of Morocco's team during the group stages. Her goal against Colombia propelled the team to the knockout stages, while she has looked impressive in the midfield for the Atlas Lionesses.
France's story so far: France's group stage perhaps look better on paper than it actually was. They edged through Brazil with a vital win, but a 0-0 draw to Jamaica, and conceding three goals to Panama may signal some issues for the French. There's no doubt they've got a goalscoring pedigree, but they looked to have a tendency to struggle at moments despite finishing top of the group.
Morocco's story so far: Talk about coming back from the depths. A horrific 6-0 loss to Germany to open up their World Cup campaign wasn't enough to keep Morocco down. Hard fought wins against South Korea and Colombia saw them advance, with the Germans crashing out of the tournament. That's just how tournament football goes sometimes.
Prediction: France to end Morocco's fairytale story and advance to quarter finals.
Rest of tournament prediction:
Quarter Finals
Spain vs Netherlands
Japan vs Sweden
Australia vs France
England vs Colombia
Semi Finals
Netherlands vs Japan
England vs Australia
Final
England vs Japan
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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Football, Australia, Womens Football, Womens World Cup
Jayden Collins