Women’s World Cup 2023

MARTINA VOSS-TECKLENBURG admits it’s hard not to see Germany’s shock World Cup departure as anything but a disaster. On Thursday she became the first boss in charge of a German women’s national side that failed to reach the competition’s knockout stages.
Alexandra Popp’s goal was not enough to prevent Germany from being knocked out at the World Cup’s group stage for the first time everCredit: Getty
Germany’s early exit comes eight month’s after their male counterparts failed to reach the knockouts of the men’s tourmanent in QatarCredit: Getty
Morocco became third side from Africa to reach the World Cup’s last 16 this summerCredit: Alamy
Her team once again saw their major tournament hopes dashed by Lionesses, albeit a side that hails from north Africa. 
Germany’s 1-1 draw with South Korea contributed to their early exit along with Morocco’s gritty 1-0 win against Group H leaders Colombia.
The surprise result saw last year’s Women’s African Cup of Nations finalists, reach the World Cup knockouts for the first time ever. 
And Germany’s exit comes eight months after their male counterparts bowed out at the group stage of the men’s contest in Qatar.
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Voss-Tecklenburg, whose side were among the favourites to win the tournament, said: “If you want to see it as a disaster in sporting terms, then it’s hard to argue against it. 
“Our team of coaches will talk about what happened of course and what we could have done differently, 
“But it’s not something I can analyse one and half hours after exiting.
 “Of course I’m disappointed, of course I’m frustrated. 
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“Overall we never really played our game the way we know we can.” 
Germany’s only goal of the game came through their star striker Alexandra Popp who also scored in every single match she played for the team at last year’s Euros. 
The Wolfsburg star headed home close to half time cancelling out South Korea captain Cho So-hyun’s sixth minute opener.
Popp, 32, who has netted 67 times for her national team, was left flummoxed by their surprise early World Cup exit. 
After the game she said: “To be honest I can’t comprehend it. I don’t know what I should really say. 
“I can’t really understand what has happened to be honest. 
Voss-Tecklenburg, 55, who has been in charge of Germany since 2019, remained tight-lipped in response to questions concerning her future.
Then team have often been seen as one the giants of the tournament having won it twice in 2003 and 2007. 
And a team that featured Voss-Tecklenburg as a player finished as runners-up in 1995. 
Of their World Cup exit, she added: “In our squad we’ve tried to change certain things and adapt, but we weren’t successful.
“What it’s about now is how we rise again and not give up. We love this sport, but we need to let this sink in. 
“I don’t want to look for excuses for anything. If the result isn’t what you want, then of course you’ve got to accept that responsibility.”
South Africa’s defeat of Italy saw them claim a place in this year’s World Cup knockout stageCredit: AP
Nigeria will face England in a last-16 duel in Brisbane on MondayCredit: Getty
Morocco’s 1-0 defeat of Colombia saw them claim second spot in Group H. 
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And it also saw the battling tournament debutants help their continent make history in the contest. 
For the first time three African nations have reached the knockout stage at the same time.  More

MILLIE BRIGHT is backing the Lionesses to build momentum after they charged into the World Cup knockouts Lauren James bagged a brilliant brace in the 6-1 demolition of China on Tuesday with England set for a last-16 duel with Nigeria.
Millie Bright looked solid against China with a bulldozing display in England’s defence in their final World Cup group stage gameCredit: Getty
Lauren James shone for England in a playmaker role with Sarina Wiegman altering her starting line-up and formationCredit: Getty
Rachel Daly impressed in an attacking position on the wing bagging her first goal of the tournamentCredit: Getty
Alessia Russo netted her first World Cup goal ending a run of six games without an England goal since FebruaryCredit: Getty
Their ruthless shift in which they shredded their rivals defences, saw them equal their record for a highest World Cup match win.
The last time England won by a 6-1 scoreline in the tournament was back in 2007 when they trounced Argentina. 
The result in Adelaide, Australia saw them answer critics of their recent slim wins and open play scoreless run.
Skipper Bright said: “We got a lot of criticism in the first two games but we’re not concerned at all. 
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“I would happily take a clean sheet and a 1-0 win because when you have to grow into tournaments you get your momentum. 
“Things start to click and you start to get your rhythm. 
“There is no bigger emotion than leading the girls out no matter what the score is.
“Win, lose or draw, I’m always proud to lead them.”
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The defeat of China saw VAR controversy rear its head in either halves including decisions to award China a pen and to disallow an England goal. 
Lucy Bronze, who hit the woodwork with a thumping header, was involved in both moments. 
The full-back was judged to have been offside when James curled in a stunning late first half strike which was chalked off. 
And she received a booking for a handball that led to China netting a second half spot-kick. 
Bronze said: “I knew it hit my hand, but it wasn’t deliberate. Unless I cut my arm off I don’t know how I get my arm out the way.
“If I was trying to hit the ball away I would have hit my hand in the air.
“I knew it wasn’t deliberate but I guess the referee just wanted to give me a yellow card for fun.
“I had more go against me than anyone else. It wasn’t a fun game in that respect.
“I was quite disappointed with that game to come off with that performance.
“But the most important thing is we won, we’re through to the next game, no one else got injured.”
On James’ disallowed goal, Bronze added: “I feel sad for LJ because I don’t know why it’s been called offside.
“If Hempo (Lauren Hemp) scored the cross I wouldn’t have been offside.”
England’s hefty win at Hindmarsh Stadium saw them avoid group stage embarrassment that befell Germany and Spain.
The European giants, among the contests favourites, found themselves on the wrong end of losses to Colombia and 2011 World Cup champs Japan.
Futoshi Ikeda’s aces thrashed Spain 4-0 despite having just 23 per cent of posession while a late goal saw Germany beaten 2-1 on Sunday. 
And the United States were held to a scoreless draw by stubborn Portugal.
Katie Zelem made for first appearance for England in a World Cup tournament playing alongside Georgia Stanway in midfieldCredit: Alamy
Bright said: “This tournament is going to be one of the tightest. It’s anyones for the taking. 
“We’ve seen that with some of the results so far
“It’s why we stay in our lane, focus on ourselves and make sure we are the best prepared team on the day.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman, whose team will face Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on August 7, added: “I’m very proud of the team.
“I think we’re really growing into the tournament.”
The Lionesses’ Group D performances saw them concede just once across the three games with no goals netted against them in open play. 
A penalty converted by China’s Wang Shuang saw England number one Mary Earps concede for the first time in the tournament.
Bright added: “It’s massive first and foremost as an English team that we take pride in defending and good marking. 
“We want to keep clean sheets and as Karen Carney once said, ‘clean sheets mean championships’. 
England will face a tricky against Nigeria who beat tournament co-hosts Australia on their way to reaching the World Cup’s knockout stageCredit: Getty
“We got criticism in the first two games for not scoring a goal.
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“But I think we have shown how ruthless we can be at the other end. 
“It is tournament football, you’re going to concede at times, but other than that I thought we were pretty tight in defence.” More