Women’s World Cup 2023

SPAIN star Laia Codina scored a ‘shocker’ of an own goal before redeeming herself at the Women’s World Cup.Spain sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a 5-1 win over Switzerland – but they didn’t help themselves.

Laia Codina netted a shocking own goal
Her back pass flew beyond the goalkeeper and into the net
Laia Codina made amends by scoring at the right end later in the gameCredit: Getty
Aitana Bonmati had put them in front after just five minutes before the Swiss were given a huge helping hand through Codina.
The defender picked up the ball near the halfway line and turned to play the ball to goalkeeper Cata Coll.
Codina overcooked her long range back pass with the stopper well out of her box.
Coll scrambled back but the ball flew past her and rolled into the back of the net to level the score.
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The howler was described by one commentator as an “absolute shocker” and “disastrous”.
Another reacted: “Oh my goodness me, that is an absolute catastrophe.”

Codina eventually made amends for her error as she scored to make it 4-1 to Spain.
The Barcelona star poked home from a corner after 44 minutes.
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She became the fourth player ever to score at both ends during a Women’s World Cup match, following in the footsteps of American Brandi Chastain, Argentina’s Eva Gonzalez and Angie Ponce of Ecaudor.
Spain will now play the winner of the clash between the Netherlands and South Africa.
England are next in action on Monday versus Nigeria. More

MOROCCO’S Atlas Lionesses made history this week by qualifying for the Women’s World Cup round-of-16 at the first time of asking.And they did so in epic fashion, knocking two-time champions Germany out in the process.
Morocco gathered to find out if they had progressed following their 1-0 win over ColumbiaCredit: ITV
When the news broke, everybody wheeled away in celebrationCredit: ITV
Several players ran away to celebrate, while some broke down in tearsCredit: ITV
Several stars broke down in tears following the historic winCredit: EPA
The tournament debutants clinched a 1-0 win over Group H winners Columbia on Thursday, taking their points total up to six.
Meanwhile, Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea which left them third in the group on four points.
Morocco’s clash with Columbia finished a few minutes before the conclusion of Germany’s match, so the Atlas Lionesses were forced to wait to find out if they had progressed to the knockout stages.
The entire 23-woman squad and several members of staff gathered in the centre of the pitch to listen out for the other result.
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And when they finally found out that they had earned a spot in the round-of-16, everybody ran to celebrate.
While some people wheeled away in celebration, others fell to their knees in tears, overcome with emotion.
Morocco manager Reynald Pedros also broke down in tears when the result was announced.
Many fans took to social media to react, with one person writing: “S**t like this is what makes the sport great.”
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Another added: “Doesn’t get any better than that! Congrats Morocco.”
While a third person commented: “THIS IS WHY FOOTBALL IS THE GREATEST SPORT IN THE WORLD!”
After the historic win, Pedros said: “To be the first Arab country to do this at the World Cup is exceptional. Tonight was absolutely fabulous.
“I think that the result [6-0 defeat] versus Germany was definitely because emotions were definitely overwhelming for us. And we didn’t manage to play the way we usually play.
“But we mobilised the players after, we helped them to be motivated again and we explain to them that it was the group stage, with two more games to play.
“We worked a lot and we got the ticket to have a small final somehow against Colombia.
“And we knew that if even if we were to beat Colombia, we would need Germany not to win against Korea. So at the end of the day, we didn’t really think about Germany, to be honest with you.”
Morocco boss Pedros broke down in tears after the matchCredit: Reuters More

WOMEN’S World Cup fans were left in stitches as Germany captain Alexandra Popp ‘did a Kai Havertz’ after her side’s shock exit.Popp netted four goals in three games Down Under but it wasn’t enough to get the Germans through the group.
Alexandra Popp was left gutted after Germany were surprisingly dumped out of the World CupCredit: EPA
Popp poses for a photo with her Player of the Match awardCredit: Getty
Fellow forward Kai Havertz was similarly pictured in Qatar following the German men’s team exitCredit: Getty
The prolific striker netted Germany’s equaliser against South Korea on Thursday.
But the 1-1 draw meant the World’s second-ranked side crashed out after Morocco’s win over Colombia.
Popp was awarded the Player of the Match award after another brilliant display.
And the devastated star could not have looked less happy when posing with her prize.
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Seeing Popp’s solemn expression, fans couldn’t help but draw parallels to Havertz’s iconic photo at the men’s version in the winter.
The new Arsenal frontman was also forced to pose with a stony face when he won the Man of the Match accolade following his side’s shocking group stage exit.
The then Chelsea striker came off the bench to spark a dramatic fight-back against Costa Rica.
But it proved to be in vain as Japan controversially beat Spain in their final match.
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Popp did not look impressed when forced to take a selfieCredit: Getty
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One fan wrote: “It’s a German thing.”
Germany aren’t the only big-name casualty at the women’s tournament this summer after Brazil, Canada and Italy all went out in shock exits.
And Popp was dumbfounded to explain it.
Speaking on full-time, she said: “I don’t entirely understand what’s going on.
“I have no idea what to say. I genuinely have no idea.”

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THEMBI KGATLANA lost three family members before scoring a dramatic last-minute winner against Italy.The South Africa forward clinched her country’s first Women’s World Cup victory with a 92nd minute goal against Italy on Wednesday.
Thembi Kgatlana has lost three family members during the Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
Her goal also secured a place in the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time ever.
After the match, she revealed the heart-breaking news that she has lost three family members during her time at the Women’s World Cup.
However, she chose to stay with her team-mates rather than returning home.
“We got a lot of criticism, but this is football,” Kgatlana told the media. “It’s about who wants it most.
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“Over the last three weeks I’ve lost three family members. I could’ve went home but I chose to stay with my girls.”
The Racing Louisville star also scored in the 2-2 draw with Argentina on Friday.
Her goals helped Banyana Banyana finish second behind Sweden in Group G on four points to advance to the round of 16.
Manager Desiree Ellis has hailed her players following their dramatic win over Italy.
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Speaking after the win, she exclaimed: “They fought like warriors. They fought like the heroines that we know that they are.
“They fought to be historically remembered and they’ve made history, not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing.”
“I said we were going to fight for every ball, we’re not going to give up… This victory is for everyone back home, people that got up in the early hours of the morning to support us – that is for them.”
South Africa will take on the Netherlands in Sydney on Sunday as they look to continue their record-breaking run at the tournament.
Kgatlana scored a dramatic late winner against Italy on WednesdayCredit: Rex More