FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 live schedule: Star collapses, Ch7 slammed, Pom’s horror injury
England’s second win of the World Cup came at a huge cost with one of their stars stretchered off with a knee injury. Plus see the other results and highlights here.
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England have seen off Denmark in their second 1-0 win of the tournament, but the Lionesses lost one of their star midfielders in Keira Walsh after she was stretchered off in the 37th minute.
Walsh, who plays for Barcelona at club level, landed awkwardly and immediately signalled to the bench that she wouldn’t be able to continue the match.
Former England defender Gilly Flaherty fears the worst.
“That injury to Keira Walsh. You feel sick at the thought it could potentially be another ACL,” Flaherty said on BBC Radio.
Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo, who suffered an ACL tear in September 2021, said Walsh’s reaction told her everything she needed to know.
“As a player you know when something’s wrong and it’s definitely devastating,” the A-League Women’s marquee said on Optus Sport.
“You could see the team coming around her and her pushing the team away, that’s kind of a signal.”
It’s the end of the night for Keira Walsh and what a huge blow this is for England 😔
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 28, 2023
Come back stronger, Keira.
Watch England v Denmark 📲 https://t.co/dL68S1Dp2Q#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/UEFM9tECkC
Really worrying signs. Keira Walsh appeared to say "I've done my knee" on camera. She immediately signalled to the bench. Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway ran across to offer support. There's a stretcher on the pitch for Walsh now. Terrible sight. England's most important player.
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) July 28, 2023
England have had horrid luck with ACLs of late, with three stars suffering the nasty knee injury pre-tournament.
A magnificent goal from Lauren James in just the sixth minute of the match gave them the early advantage in the contest, which was enough in the end.
10:55PM PENALTY WINS IT FOR CHINA
Haiti were left fuming after the referee waved away a penalty shout deep into stoppage time in their 1-0 loss to China.
The Chinese went ahead via a spot kick of their own, with Wang Shuang calmly slotting the ball past the keeper in the 74th minute.
But Haiti were denied a chance to draw level in the dying stages, with protests leading to coach Nicolas Delépine receiving a yellow card.
China now sit third in Group D with three points while Haiti are bottom with none.
China score from the spot and the celebrations are wild in Adelaide 🇨🇳
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 28, 2023
Hindmarsh is on its feet for the Steel Roses.
Watch 📲 https://t.co/Ng9lNsDvwN#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/I1eYdwmUeF
9:30PM CHINA DOWN TO 10
A VAR review has resulted in a red card handed to Zhang Rui of China after an ugly challenge.
Rui got it all wrong and ended up with her studs planting into the upper leg of Sherly Jeudy, who fell to the ground in a heap.
The referee originally gave a yellow card to Rui, but a video review overturned that decision and instead a red card was given.
China now face an uphill battle to record their first win of the tournament.
This crunching tackle earned China's Zhang Rui a straight red after the VAR review 😧🟥
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 28, 2023
Ouch.
Watch 📲 https://t.co/Ng9lNsDvwN#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/EjG2768aAo
8:30PM ENGLAND GRIND OUT VICTORY
England have seen off Denmark in their second 1-0 win of the tournament.
A magnificent goal from Lauren James in just the sixth minute of the match gave the Lionesses the early advantage in the contest, which was enough in the end.
However the loss came at a cost with Keira Walsh’s World Cup likely over following a nasty knee injury.
Walsh, who plays for Barcelona at club level, landed awkwardly and immediately signalled to the bench that she wouldn’t be able to continue the match.
England sit on top of Group D with six points heading into their last group match against China.
You need to see Lauren James' goal from every angle to appreciate its true beauty 🖼ï¸
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 28, 2023
What a way to score your first FIFA Women's World Cupâ„¢ goal.
Free to watch highlights 📲 https://t.co/gO9rEdoiqr#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/vWNgiKA21g
6:20PM TOP SCORER IN DEFENCE? COACH’S BIZARRE MOVE
England coach Sarina Wiegman has pulled a selection surprise by naming the WSL’s leading scorer Rachel Daly at left-back.
The Aston Villa star netted 22 goals in the 22-23 WSL campaign, 10 more than Aussie skipper Sam Kerr.
But Wiegman has thrown Daly in at left-back for England’s clash with Denmark, a move backed by Juventus coach, Aussie Joe Montemurro.
“I love her as a left-back. My sort of left-back. Proactive. Will get forward a lot and a good defender too,” he told Optus Sport.
“So when she does need to stay at home she’s intelligent. She’s done well as a forward but even as a left-back she’ll be quite prominent.”
It is a move England has used with success before, with Daly playing in defence during the country’s Euros success last year.
She moved to Aston Villa to stake a claim to be part of England’s front line at the World Cup.
Daly was used as a substitute during the Lionesses’ 1-0 win over Haiti, coming on as a replacement for forward Alessia Russo.
- Tim Michell
5:50PM UPDATE ON MATILDAS’ KERR-NUNDRUM
Erin Smith has the latest on whether Australia’s captain will play against Canada
Sam Kerr doesn’t need match fitness or kilometres in her legs – just a healthy calf muscle – but former Matildas’ striker Ashleigh Sykes said coach Tony Gustavsson won’t risk her unless he is 100 per cent certain more damage can’t be done.
Kerr, injured during a training session in the lead up to the first World Cup game against Ireland hasn’t played a single minute this tournament – relegated to spurring her team on from the bench and in the dressing room at halftime.
The stage is set for her to make a heroic comeback against Canada on Monday night and keep the Matildas’ World Cup chances alive.
The extent of Kerr’s injury has been kept under lock and key...
4:30PM JAMAICAN WIN WOULD HELP FIGHT FOR BETTER TREATMENT
Jamaican defender Allyson Swaby said Friday that a first World Cup win would send a message to the country’s football bosses that the women’s team deserve better treatment.
Jamaica defied a turbulent build-up to the tournament in Australia and New Zealand by taking a point off strongly fancied France in their opening match.
They now find themselves in the unfamiliar role of favourites to beat Panama on Saturday in Perth, for what would be their first-ever World Cup win.
It would also be a major step towards the last 16 and Swaby said their performances could have far-reaching benefits for women’s football in the Caribbean nation.
“The message that we want to send has always been the same -- that women’s football is legitimate,” the United States-born Swaby said.
“We’re here to compete, this is our livelihood, it’s the thing that brings us joy, it’s our passion.” “And we’re always going to be fighting and pushing to be treated as we feel like we should,” the 26-year-old added.
Coach Lorne Donaldson’s team has been in open dispute with their football federation over a lack of support, including issues over pay and poor planning in the build-up to the World Cup.
It has been a struggle for the Jamaican women to get the resources they need to compete and for many years the team has been helped financially by the efforts of Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella.
The frustrated players, who were also upset at late payment of match fees, released a statement last month urging a change in approach from their federation.
They also cited “extreme disorganisation of camp logistics”, which they said had hurt their build-up.
They put all that aside to hold France, one of the pre-World Cup favourites, 0-0, but Swaby said the fight for recognition goes on.
“Everyone sees what we’ve dealt with in the lead-up to this tournament,” she said.
“Ultimately, how we perform in this tournament is just more credibility for us moving forward, fighting for the things that we want to see changed.” Jamaica will have to do without star striker and skipper Khadija Shaw against Panama, after she was sent off versus France late on, following a second yellow card.
Panama were thumped 4-0 by Brazil in their opener.
- AFP
3:20PM CH7 SLAMMED FOR WORLD CUP ‘CULTURAL IGNORANCE’
They’re not having a great time of it this World Cup are they Channel 7?
First David Basheer copped it for a dumb comment he made about Katrina Gorry and motherhood and now they’re being slammed after three presenters spoke over the Welcome to Country in an incident being described as “culturally devastating”.
The ceremony in Sydney for Australia’s opening match against Ireland was led by Dharug Elder Aunty Julie Jones who was joined by Jannawi Dance Clan dancers.
As the Welcome to Country was being delivered, three presenters proceeded to talk over the entire thing.
“We were just in shock at first I think because we’re telling the girls this is going to be seen around the world,” Aunty Julie said.
“The only opportunity for these children’s families to see them was that free to air broadcast [Channel 7] go to ad and silence the voices and the storytelling of women that have been a part of the oldest living culture on the planet.
“It was culturally devastating because generally we take our responsibility and obligations not just to each other on Country, but to everyone on our Country seriously.
“I kind of felt that they might do a better job, given the gravity and the weight of the event itself. Channel 7 actually have a bit of a history of this.
“I don’t know whether it was cultural ignorance or ego but for two minutes, the three presenters who were babbling on for the whole world cup commentary just couldn’t be respectful.
“We had a three minute ceremony to perform ... I don’t understand why it was hard to just be respectful.”
2:50PM GOALS GALORE FOR ARGENTINA AND SOUTH AFRICA
Romina Nunez scored the equaliser as Argentina roared back from two goals down to draw 2-2 and deny South Africa a landmark first Women’s World Cup win.
South Africa were cruising to a first-ever win in five matches at the World Cup after goals by Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana either side of half-time in Dunedin.
But Argentina pulled one back via a stunning Sophia Braun strike in the 74th minute and then drew level five minutes later when Nunez headed home.
South Africa also threw away the lead, and then conceded the decisive goal in the last minute, to lose 2-1 to Sweden in their opening match.
“It is about taking our chances, making better decisions in the final third. If we take our chances we have a different conversation,” coach Desiree Ellis said.
“Today was a great opportunity to put ourselves a step ahead, but it is not all lost.”
Favourites Sweden and Italy have three points before playing each other in Wellington on Saturday, before a decisive final round of games on August 2.
2:15PM CAN TONY GUSTAVSSON SURVIVE THIS?
Robbie Slater has not held back in his assessment of the Matildas defeat to Nigeria
The Matildas’ entire FIFA Women’s World Cup is in danger of blowing up in the face of coach Tony Gustavsson.
There is no doubt that Gustavsson’s job is on the line when Australia meets Canada on Monday night in Melbourne.
Should the Matildas fail against the Olympic champions and be knocked out of the tournament in the group stages. Gustavsson must either be sacked or resign, even though he is contracted until next year.
The Matildas’ whole Cup campaign, starting with the squad that was named, has been a mess.
1:23PM HOW DID THE MATILDAS PLAYERS PERFORM? NOT GREAT
The Matildas’ World Cup campaign is on the ropes after a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria.
Without superstars Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler, Australia led 1-0 in Brisbane before Nigeria scored three successive goals to jump to the top of Group B.
It was a result which has sent shockwaves through the Matildas and left plenty of questions being asked.
Scroll down to see how we rated every player and have your say.
11:44AM GOALS GALORE IN DUNEDIN
Argentina have come from two goals down against South Africa in New Zealand and this match is shaping up for an incredible finish.
10 minutes to play in this Group G clash with both sides desperate to make an impact on the table..
As it stands they will remain in third and fourth spots on a point apiece having both lost their openers.
11:05AM HORROR AS WORLD CUP STAR COLLAPSES AT TRAINING
Terrifying scenes at Colombia training yesterday when young star Linda Caicedo collapsed with major fears for her condition.
Caicedo, 18, completed a remarkable World Cup scoring “hat-trick” when she netted in her side’s opening win over South Korea.
But the joy of Caicedo’s World Cup bow was overshadowed by her collapse at Colombia’s training base on the outskirts of Sydney.
Caicedo was running with the ball on a dribble when she suddenly stopped and began clutching the left side of her chest.
She then tried to sit down but within seconds had keeled over, seemingly unconscious.
Colombian medical staff rushed over as a sense of panic overwhelmed the camp, with terrified teammates fearing the worst.
With concern growing, an ambulance was summoned and swiftly arrived.
Caicedo was unconscious for at least 90 seconds as medics and teammates rushed to the scene.
Thankfully, Caicedo was able to regain consciousness by the time she was placed on a stretcher, ferried into the ambulance and off to a local hospital.
The entire session was unsurprisingly cancelled as teammates looked on, some of them struggling to contain their emotions at her condition.
¡CON NORMALIDAD! 🤩
— DSportsCo (@DIRECTVSportsCo) July 27, 2023
🇨🇴 Linda Caicedo entrena a la par de sus compañeras.
📹 DSPORTS, en Australia pic.twitter.com/9EKsuBL3GJ
Media at the session were immediately asked to leave the site, with Colombian staff explaining: “We cannot give any more details - and we want to avoid any more confusion.”
Later last night, a Colombian FA medical staff member claimed: “Linda is very tired.
“What happened was just a symptom of all the stress and physical demands. She is well and all is back to normal.”
But the scare left her teammates, who are due to play Germany in Sydney on Sunday, in a state of disarray.
Caicedo was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 15 in February 2020, just before the pandemic struck.She needed surgery to remove a tumour and underwent six months of chemotherapy before she was able to return to the football pitch.
Additional reporting from The Sun
9:32AM DENMARK WARNS PLAYERS OF ‘MORTAL SINS’
Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard told his players that it would be “a mortal sin” not to relish playing European champions England at the Women’s World Cup.
The teams meet in Group D on Friday and both are on course for the last 16 after winning their opening matches of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
England’s Lionesses failed to sparkle in beating debutants Haiti 1-0 thanks to a penalty but they are still among the favourites to deny the United States an unprecedented third title in a row.
With the majority of the Sydney crowd also likely to be behind Sarina Wiegman’s side, Sondergaard said that his team were undoubted “underdogs” against “superpower” England.
Denmark are ranked 13th in the world to England’s fourth, but he said on the eve of the match: “We hope we can spring a surprise.
“We have settled now, we have our first game under our belt, that has eased our nerves.
“There’s a World Cup every four years, you don’t get many of these opportunities in your career,” he added.
“It would be a mortal sin not to enjoy it.”
8:43AM EX SOCCEROOS CALLS OUT COACH
Mark Schwarzer says Tony Gustavsson will have nothing but regret following his side’s shocking defeat to Nigeria.
Amid furious backlash from fans about why the Swedish coach took so long to bring on substitutions against Nigeria in Brisbane, the former Australian goalkeeper has questioned Gustavsson’s tactics.
“I think when he looks back at the substitutions he made and the type of substitutions he made, he will look back with a bit of regret,” he said.
“Bringing in Polkinghorne and moving Alanna Kennedy up front was way too early. It wasn’t effective until late in the game. I think when Chidiac came on she was a big difference. She should have probably scored, but I think if she had been on the field earlier it could have been a different result.”
“There’s 20 minutes to go and they’ve made four substitutions and we haven’t made one. What are our players thinking? They’ve made five substitutions and we haven’t made one.”
8AM SHOCKING IMAGE FROM MATILDAS CLASH EXPOSES FIFA
A week after record crowds in Sydney questions are being asked about the rows of empty seats in prime locations at the Matildas and Nigeria clash at Brisbane Stadium.
Rows of seats on the side of the and pitch and behind the goals were empty. But the top tiers of the stadium were certainly full.
About four hours prior to kick off FIFA announced a limited number of Category 3 tickets, starting at $20 for adults, had been put up for sale.
The reason for the late flurry of tickets is yet to be revealed - it could be due to fans opting to put them up for resale late in the afternoon.
But it’s certainly not a good look.
According to the official stats, 49,156 fans came out to watch the shock upset which ended 3-2 in Nigeria’ favour and leaves the Matildas dangerously close to exisint gthe tournament.
That number represents 93% of the stadium’s capacity.
Australia took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half through Emily van Egmond before Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and substitute Asisat Oshoala hit back for Nigeria.
Defender Alanna Kennedy got a late consolation for Australia deep into second-half stoppage time
But look what it meant to Nigeria
"I think they are still singing and dancing in there (the dressing room) now, I can't get in there to get in a word!†Said coach Randy Waldrum.
— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) July 27, 2023
Celebrations well earned 🙌ðŸ»ðŸ¤©
🎙ï¸@AsifBurhanpic.twitter.com/S3FYUfpMbn
7AM WILL KERR PLAY THE DO OR DIE CLASH?
Australia’s captain Sam Kerr will be given until the last minute to prove her fitness for their must-win Women’s World Cup clash against Canada on Monday, coach Tony Gustavsson says.
The prolific striker missed Australia’s opening two games -- a 1-0 win over Ireland and Thursday’s shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria -- with a calf injury.
With the co-hosts’ hopes of reaching the last 16 now in jeopardy, Gustavsson is desperate to have the Chelsea forward available.
“We won’t get confirmation (on her fitness) until the night before the game, and it might even be where we need to test her to see if she can play on game day,” Gustavsson said.
“That’s how tight it is.”
Originally published as FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 live schedule: Star collapses, Ch7 slammed, Pom’s horror injury
‘I’ve given everything’: Much loved Matilda hangs up the boots
The Matildas’ most capped player has revealed she has called time on her glittering national career that has spanned almost half her life, but she will get one last chance to say goodbye to her home fans.
How Kerr will help decide next Matildas coach
The Matildas are set for an epic homecoming - and it’s still unknown if they’ll have a new coach, or star captain Sam Kerr, back by then. But how much of a say will Kerr have on the former?