Group A
Italy 3-0 Costa Rica
Italy goals: Galli (42, 72), Copelli (61)
Giulia Galli and Anna Copelli ran riot as Italy claimed a comfortable win over Costa Rica in their Group A opener. Viviana Schiavi’s side made their first-half pressure count shortly before the break, as Copelli dinked an inviting ball into the middle of the six-yard box for Galli to head home.
Those roles were reversed just beyond the hour, with Galli slipping in Copelli who burst away from her marker and rifled in a low drive. Remarkably, it was that pair involved again for their final goal. Copelli drove at the Costa Rica defence, produced a neat turn and slid in her partner-in-crime to complete the scoring.
Quotes
“For us it was a great match. It was intense mentally and physically. It was important to start well, to start on the right foot, and we showed great emotion from the first minute, despite all the big feelings about being here. We continued to grow throughout the match. There were so many girls who did really well. I struggle to find one who played better than the others. I’m really happy also with the girls who came onto the pitch later, who gave us new energy and committed themselves as if they had been on from the start. They did great.”
Viviana Schiavi, Italy coach
Player of the Match: Anna Copelli
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Group B
Cameroon 3-4 The Netherlands
Cameroon goals: Ntsongo (14), Tiwa (45), Zoua (48)
The Netherlands goals: Pennock (2), Dap (6), Van Der Vliet (43), Altena (77)
Cameroon and the Netherlands played out a seven-goal thriller in an early contender for game of the tournament.
The Dutch made a fast start with Liv Pennock firing home inside 90 seconds, before Rochelity Dap capitalised on a defensive mix-up to net soon after. Cameroon recovered quickly, though, with Divine Ntsongo volleying home a pinpoint Crystal Aghogue centre. Tess Van Der Vliet and Lys Tiwa then traded late first-half goals to keep the score within one come the interval.
Josephine Ndoumou’s team flew out of the traps to level through a stunning Yolande Zoua strike, but the European giants had the last laugh when Aymee Altena tapped in a sweeping team move.
Quotes
“We need to maintain the determination we showed. We had opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize on them. We conceded that fourth goal because we lost our concentration. It’s hard to enjoy my goal tonight, but that’s football, you can’t win every time.”
Yolande Zoua, Cameroon’s midfielder
“I’m really excited after this win. A first match at a World Cup is always a hard one, we did that as a team and we won. When we led 2-0, I thought we would score more goals, but then, he became really hard. I scored really early in the match and the feeling was really amazing. It gave us great hopes for the rest of the match. I’m really excited that I could score my first goal at a World Cup.”
Liv Pennock, Netherland’s striker
Player of the Match: Anne Gelevert
USA 3-0 Ecuador
USA goals: Brewer (19), Touray (41), Malsom (45+1)
A dazzling first-half performance earned USA a commanding victory over Ecuador.
USA were on the front foot from the very start and broke the deadlock when Meila Brewer made a late run into the six-yard box and thumped home a header off a corner kick.
It soon became two, as a shot from Maddie Dimaria deflected off of Ecuador goalkeeper, giving Nyanya Touray an easy tap-in. USA tacked on a third right before intermission, with Lauren Malsom receiving a delicate flick and slotting into the net.
The second stanza was smooth sailing, as the Stars and Stripes comfortably saw things out to collect the points.
Quotes
“These games are always interesting because we never really know what to expect. Teams come out and they have a pre-camp and they play in different ways, but we knew Ecuador was going to come out with passion and fight and we expected that. I’m really happy with the way the girls responded and the way they were able to problem solve and figure stuff out. Putting some back in the net always helps.”
Katie Schoepfer, USA coach
“I’m just so blessed, it feels amazing. Credit to all my teammates. MJ [Micayla Johnson] played me an amazing ball and really all I had to do was put my head down and focus on being the goalkeeper. I also thought Ecuador put up a great fight and made it hard for us.”
Lauren Malsom, USA striker and Player of the Match
“I knew it would be a very difficult match. The US have a lot of tradition in women’s football. I think nerves and a little anxiety made us play badly, but I’m taking away the most important thing from the second half, which was showing character. It’s not easy to come back from 3-0, but they showed a great attitude and a lot of heart and that they came to the World Cup to compete.”
Victor Idrobo, Ecuador coach
Player of the Match: Lauren Malsom
Group C
China PR 5-0 Norway
China PR goals: Ruilin (16), Xinyi (45+6, 57), Zhenzhu (82, 89)
China PR produced a five-star display to brush by a disappointing Norway side. Chen Ruilin got the ball rolling with a stunning free-kick from just outside the area. That lead was doubled on the stroke of half-time through a Zhou Xinyi penalty.
Xinyi grabbed her second soon after the break when she stole in to steer home a lofted ball into the area. The No10 then turned provider after a strong run and pass sent Fang Zhenzhu through to net, with the substitute on hand to complete the scoring with another cool finish from inside the area.
Quotes
“I practice free-kicks a lot in that position because the distance from goal isn’t very far — it’s relatively close. I told myself to stay calm, be ready, and execute well. Then I chose the best way to shoot from that spot, and I scored. The feeling was excellent.”
Chen Ruilin, China PR midfielder
“I think it’s tough to come out with a precise analysis right now, but we need to improve our precision. With the ball in our feet, we have to hit the passes, we have to hit the players and we have to dare to turn the right way when we first get the pass. So I feel like we were a bit careful today and the precision isn’t where it should have been. We have to improve on that and we have to make sure that we come out of this game with spirit and confidence.”
Eline Kulstad-Torneus, head coach of Norway
Player of the Match: Chen Ruilin
Korea DPR 2-0 Mexico
Korea DPR goals: Yu Jong-hyang (3), Kim Won-sim (28)
Reigning champions Korea DPR look like they are up for another title run after downing Mexico.
The Asian side wasted no time getting on the scoresheet, as Yu Jong-hyang outraced three defenders and finished for the opener.
Mexico tested the Korea DPR defence on two occasions, but Korea DPR reasserted their dominance and doubled the margin on a composed left-footed finish from Kim Won-sim.
El Tricolor hung tough and kept the three-time winners on their toes at time, but in the end Korea DPR reached the full-time whistle without any issues.
Quotes
“It was the first match, but our players did their best to meet our expectations. I think it was the best match. And I am quite satisfied about the match’s result. Our performance is just the beginning. We will do better next time. So this is the very first one for us, for the players also. And we will need much more preparation for the upcoming matches.”
Pak Song-in, Korea DPR’s head coach
“We knew that the start would be very difficult, regardless of whether we were world champions; the start is always difficult. Now, being North Korea was twice as difficult, wasn’t it? I’ll take away from the second half, where we were able to show what we’re really capable of. In the first half, I think we struggled to identify their attack, and that’s where we got caught out and conceded the two goals. But anyway, this is a long process, we have to put this match behind us and focus on what’s next.”
Miguel Gamero, head coach of Mexico
