Spain topped Group E and will be joined in the Round of 16 by Colombia after they secured respective victories over Côte d’Ivoire and Korea Republic, with that duo now eliminated.
They will take their places in the knockout stage alongside the Netherlands and Nigeria, who are through as two of the four top third-placed teams. In Group D, Nigeria eased past Samoa while Canada edged France to lead the standings.
In Group F, Zambia also secured their progress as one of the top third-placed teams with victory over New Zealand, who are now eliminated. Japan topped the table after securing a last-gasp draw with Paraguay.
Group D
Samoa 0-4 Nigeria
Nigeria goals: Joseph (13, 34), Moshood pen (28), Oduntan (67)
Nigeria ensured they would qualify for the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams as they brushed aside Samoa.
Queen Joseph struck twice before the interval, set up by Shakirat Moshood and then Nguemo Terlumun, with Moshood cooly converting a penalty in between.
The Flamingos captain had the opportunity to add a fourth from the spot early in the second half, but her identically-placed effort was easily saved by Grace Ae. However, the shot-stopper was unable to keep out Azeezat Oduntan’s curling effort as Samoa bowed out.
Quotes
“Our start was disappointing and we tried to make up for that. The girls are happy now, they still want to take part in the tournament, they don’t want to go home. So they just had to bring a good game to make sure that we could remain one of the contenders of this tournament. It’s good that we have strong opposition, to prepare us for the next game. We have to work on those areas where they were able to penetrate from our team.”
Bankole Olowookere, Nigeria coach
Canada 2-1 France
France goal: Morissaint (63)
Canada goals: Kekic (14), Moreau Tranchant own goal (53)
Canada secured top place and avoided a clash with Spain in the Round of 16 with a battling victory over already-qualified France.
Melisa Kekic broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when she pounced on a loose ball after a corner and struck high into the net from close range. There was a scare for the North Americans moments later after a mix-up between goalkeeper Khadijah Cisse and defender Bridget Mutipula, with the ball clipping the post.
Canada continued to press and doubled their lead early in the second half when France defender Oceane Moreau Tranchant diverted the ball into her own net in trying to defend a dangerous left-wing cross from Reed Tingley. France pulled a goal back through a Lea Morissaint header but the Canadians held despite being reduced to ten players after Tingley picked up two yellow cards.
Quotes
“We knew we had to win, but the start of the match was a bit complicated. We managed to get back into it afterwards and had a very interesting second half. We had a lot of possession. It’s true that we pushed them back into their own half. We just lacked that little something extra to win the match. But I’m proud of my team because we gave it our all. I think this can only be a good sign for us. Today, we showed who we are, that France is a strong contender to win this competition.”
Tante Diakite, France midfielder
“France, kudos to them. They’re a great opponent, but I think we stayed true to who we are, lived our values, and I think we showed who we are and that we can beat tough opponents in tough games. I think we say it every day, but day-by-day we’re growing and we’re getting better as a team. And I think in the next match-up, you can just expect better from us and we’re growing and we’re learning. So I think all eyes are on the next game and you’re going to see an even better team.”
Chloe Taylor, Canada captain
“I think the performance tonight shows our resilience, shows our mentality, it shows how together we are as a team, how close-knit we are and that’s all the work we’ve done off-camp and all the relationships that the girls have built together. We’re so strong off the pitch, we’re great friends, we’re a family and we show that on the pitch with how we play as well.”
Jen Herst, Canada coach
“I think that for this match, we need to separate the result from the content, at least to analyze it with some perspective. We are obviously disappointed with the result. We prepared for it, played to win, to finish first, to maintain the momentum, and simply to perform well. We are disappointed with the outcome. As for the content, especially regarding the engagement and the mindset, once again, we must congratulate the young girls for what they’ve done. They were very committed, courageous, and brought many positive elements. But there are still things to improve. That’s part of their age, and what’s a little frustrating is that they are also here to learn.”
Mickael Ferreira, France coach
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 0-3 Spain
Spain goals: Barrios (50, 60), Fernandez (88)
Spain secured top spot in Group E with a 100-per-cent record as two goals from Claudia Barrios saw them overcome a Côte d’Ivoire side who ended the match with only nine players on the field and are now eliminated.
After an evenly-matched first half, Barrios broke the deadlock early in the second period with a powerful right-foot strike from the edge of the box which evaded goalkeeper Rosine Kela.
Kela’s day went from bad to worse soon after when she received a straight red card after rushing out of her box and bringing down Carolina Ferrera with a rash challenge. Kaholo Zaddy entered the fray as the replacement keeper, but her first action was to pick the ball out of the net as Barrios smashed home the free-kick.
Iraia Fernandez added gloss to the scoreline with a thundering late third, before Estelle Veronique Kakou saw red for a needless clash with Celia Gomez.
Quotes
“I believe that the difference is currently in the details. Because we had a first half where we could have scored two or three goals. We wouldn’t have had any trouble, we would have stayed calm, and played the second half peacefully. We put pressure on ourselves during the second half, but the girls did not deserve to be criticized. I tell them bravo, congratulations.”
Adelaide Koudougnon, Côte d’Ivoire coach
“For sure, there are small details to improve, but overall it’s very good and I’m very happy with the work we have done together. Honestly, we will take it step by step, match by match, and we see ourselves with a lot of confidence to keep progressing through the phases and reach what everyone wants, which is the goal, that great final.”
Carolina Ferrera, Spain defender
Colombia 1-0 Korea Republic
Colombia goal: Crawford (73)
Substitute London Crawford stepped off the bench to send Colombia through to the Round of 16 and leave Korea Republic eliminated after just one point from their three fixtures.
Crawford, who was introduced after a goalless first period, reacted first to knock the ball home after a deep free-kick into the Korea area caused confusion between defenders and goalkeeper.
Quotes
“The first half was very difficult; we couldn’t get the ball, they were very mobile and organised, with and without the ball. In the second half, we changed the team’s structure. We had a 4-4-2 and played a 4-5-1 to fill the pitch more widthwise so that the inside players could provide more support. Then we controlled the game, they didn’t threaten us again and we were able to score on a transition.”
Carlos Paniagua, Colombia coach
“There is a big difference between the stronger and the weaker teams, which we experienced at this tournament. We need to follow current trends, where teams press hard from the up front and also play very physically on the pitch. The players were struggling in the second half, so we lost intensity.”
Go Hyunbok, Korea Republic coach
Group F
Paraguay 1-1 Japan
Japan goal: Fukushima pen (90+5)
Paraguay goal: Bareiro (62)
Japan scored a stoppage-time penalty to snatch top place from Paraguay’s grasp.
Both coaches made wholesale changes to their teams who had progressed to the Round of 16. It made for an evenly-contested clash, which appeared to be going Paraguay’s way courtesy of a brilliant strike from Alison Bareiro midway through the second half.
But there was late drama after Japan were awarded a penalty in stoppage time following a handball by substitute Victoria Ucedo. Up stepped Noa Fukushima, who rifled the ball into the net to ensure Japan topped the group.
Quotes
“It was a tough match for us, very hard, but the players had the determination to score until the last second. It’s important for us. Now, we will face Colombia, another South American team that will be very physically strong, another formidable match, but we will once again do our best in the Round of 16.”
Sadayoshi Shirai, Japan coach
“I am really very happy to have scored this goal, I was working for it. Claudia [Martínez] is of course also part of this team and I will play again with her in the next match. The title of South American champions doesn’t make things difficult, it even gives me more motivation because we are the reigning champions, and we always find strength.”
Alison Bareiro, Paraguay forward
“We continue to write our story. It wasn’t easy to draw against a team as strong as Japan. We led in this match, but it didn’t end the way we hoped. Mexico in the next round? They will also be a good team, strong, so we need to prepare and stay focused.”
Tamara Amarilla, Paraguay goalkeeper
New Zealand 0-4 Zambia
Zambia goals: Mbali (33), Chipasula (44), Sekeseke (69), Muller own goal (80)
Zambia finished the group stage with a flourish as they secured their first victory of the tournament to seal their progress to the Round of 16 as one of the top third-placed teams.
The Africans seized the advantage midway through the opening half courtesy of a brilliant individual effort from Victoria Mbali, who chested the ball down on the edge of the area, weaved past a New Zealand defender and hammered home with the outside of her boot.
Zambia doubled their lead just before the break as captain Mercy Chipasula cannoned the ball off the crossbar from 20 yards out and into the net. Masela Sekeseke and Grace Phiri capped the victory with fine right-footed strikes, the latter of which deflected off the back of Harriet Muller for an own goal.
Quotes
“It’s the best feeling, I want to say thank you to God who made it possible for girls to have strength, to have concentration and get us a clean sheet, it’s our first clean sheet as well. It was excellent, it was a wonderful experience for everyone because the girls put in their all and I think the result is evidence of what you get out of hard work and concentration. So I think it’s a big lesson to the girls.”
Carol Kanyemba, Zambia coach
“Both teams were in the same boat to be able to get through and I think we showed intent in patches, but similar to other games… if we don’t score, we can’t stay in games for 90 minutes and they could score. We’re proud of the girls. We’ve had five really good games, three here in the World Cup and two before that, since we’ve been over here. Besides the results, it’s been a success for us.”
Alana Gunn, New Zealand coach
