Women’s World Cup 2023

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      Fans praise ‘divine’ and ‘beautiful’ Alex Scott as she heads up BBC Women’s World Cup coverage in elegant black dress

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      ALEX SCOTT almost put the Women’s World Cup in the shade with her latest stunning outfit while presenting coverage of the tournament.The England and Arsenal legend hosted the clash between Australia and Nigeria on the BBC.
      Alex Scott wowed fans in a black dressCredit: BBC Sport
      She hosted the BBC’s coverage of Australia vs NigeriaCredit: BBC Sport
      It was Scott’s latest elegant showing during the tournament after wowing fans in a grey outfitCredit: BBC
      Former England and Arsenal hero Scott stuns on the red carpetCredit: Getty
      She sat in the studio alongside Steph Houghton and Rachel Brown-Finnis as they enjoyed a thrilling game in which the hosts suffered a shock 3-2 defeat.
      Scott wore an elegant black dress that caught the eye of viewers.
      The “gorgeous” 38-year-old donned high-heeled shoes to go with the stunning outfit.
      Fans were left in awe of her, with one saying: “I love Alex Scott.”
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      Another commented: “Alex Scott you are so divine.”
      A third added: “She is beautiful.”

      Scott is no stranger to wowing fans on her TV duties, dazzling in a classy outfit as a pundit as New Zealand faced Norway.
      She also left fans besotted when presenting Soccer Aid in a figure-hugging red dress.
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      The retired full-back is good friends with England captain Leah Williamson, who is out of the World Cup with injury.
      They recently enjoyed a wild night partying as Scott’s pal had booze poured into her mouth.
      Scott and Williamson also went on holiday together to Ibiza in June as they relaxed in bikinis.
      Alex Scott recently stunned viewers in a red dress at Soccer AidCredit: PA
      Fans have been confessing their love for herCredit: Getty
      Scott holidayed in Ibiza this yearCredit: Instagram / @alexscott2 More

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      Who is Canada’s Women’s World Cup star Quinn?

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      QUINN has made history as the first trans or non-binary footballer to play at a World Cup.Canada got one step closer to booking their spot in the knock-out rounds of the Women’s World Cup following a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland.
      Quinn helped Canada beat the Republic of IrelandCredit: Getty
      And midfielder Quinn has been an integral part of the team’s amazing Women’s World Cup journey.
      Here is what we know about the Canadian star.
      Who is Quinn?
      Born in Toronto on August 11, 1995, Quinn grew up with three sisters.
      Quinn always had a passion and talent for football and was heavily involved in the game by age six.
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      They attended Duke University, where Quinn became the first Canadian to play for the Duke Blue Devils soccer team between 2013 to 2018 while securing a major in biology.
      The Canadian star was also awarded the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference Midfielder of the Year award in 2017 despite starting their career as a defender.
      But prior to that, Quinn’s name really hit the headlines when they led Canada to a 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medal before helping the Canadians grab gold at the Tokyo Games.
      Quinn came out as non-binary and transgender (using gender-neutral pronouns) in 2020, and changed their name by adopting their prior surname.
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      The footballer told BBC Sport: “It’s really difficult when you don’t see people like yourself in the media or even around you or in your profession.
      “I was operating in the space of being a professional footballer and I wasn’t seeing people like me.”
      Who does Quinn play for?
      Quinn’s sensational performances for Duke University saw them become the highest-drafted Canadian in National Women’s Soccer League history.
      They were picked up by Washington Spirit in 2017 before moving to France to play for Paris FC a year later.
      In 2019, Quinn then signed for Seattle side OL Reign and has been there since apart a short loan spell at Swedish club Vittsjo Gik the following year.
      The midfielder has racked up 90 caps since debuting for Canada at age 18 and has featured at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. More

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      Inside Lionesses’ swanky Women’s World Cup hotel with arcade games, motivational staircase and more than 1,000 teabags

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      A RELAXATION room with Harry Potter novels and virtual reality headsets are among the distractions for the Lionesses at their World Cup base in Australia.The FA provided behind the scenes access to the bolt hole serving as a ‘home away home’ for Wiegman’s trophy-hungry aces.
      The games room was entirely designed and created by NIKE – the squad and staff admit this was a real ‘wow’ factor when they first arrivedCredit: Getty
      England’s number eight Georgia Stanway, getting stuck into the facilities this new base camp has to offer – an England x NIKE branded pacman machineCredit: Getty
      The base camp has interactive and creative outlets for the team to unwind in their downtimeCredit: Getty
      Football table at England base camp for Women’s World Cup 2023 in AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Georgia Stanway’s goal was enough to see off Haiti in England’s first group D game
      Sarina Wiegman’s 23-strong squad – who won their opener 1-0 against Haiti on Saturday – and backroom staff have based themselves in Terrigal, 90 minutes north of Sydney.
      The set-up at their hotel base features walls and steps adorned with motivational messages created by the Lionesses themselves.
      It also has a state-of-the-art coffee machine capable of photographing players and printing images of their faces in their beverages.
      Arcade games, table tennis and painting and drawing area among the things provided to help players relax.
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      England are also said to have brought more than 1,040 Yorkshire teabags to their camp in case.
      Upon entry the first sight that greets visitors is a giant balloon model of a St George’s flag, with the word “England” featured in silver.  
      And high up on the walls in the foyer are large poster-style photographs of every single member of Wiegman’s Lionesses squad.   
      Slogans such as “real sisterhood” and “play for the shirt on the pitch, not seat on the plane” are among the affirmations splashed on hotel walls.
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      Walls and steps adorned with inspirational messages created by the LionessesCredit: Getty
      Large poster style photographs of every single member of Wiegman’s Lionesses squadCredit: Getty
      England’s base camp is plastered with inspirational quotes to motivate the squad during the tournamentCredit: Getty
      FA women’s technical director Kay Cossington, who led journalists on a tour of England’s camp said: “The spaces on the walls are things that the players own.
      “These are quotes and words that have come through from the team.
      “They are not things that we’ve actually made up, that’s stuff that the team own and really believe in.”
      For Wiegman’s squad one of most poignant items at the base is a commissioned portrait featuring every single player during their childhood years wearing their old grassroots football kits.
      Cossington adds: “We all fell in love with this painting when we first saw it.
      “It’s about connecting the players back to their grassroots clubs and it’s also honouring how important grassroots football is to the journeys of our professional players.”
      Cossington and Lionesses general manager Anja van Ginhoven oversaw the selection of the World Cup base for Wiegman and her side.
      They did some of their site planning visits in May last year following conversations with Fifa.
      Another relaxation area for the LionessesCredit: Getty
      Arts and crafts on offer for the Lionesses to get creativeCredit: Getty
      The darts board at the England team basecamp in Terrigal, AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Ginhoven said: “I think we visited about 37 hotels and 23 training grounds in nine days! It was a super intense trip.”
      England’s base in Terrigal includes rooms named after domestic women’s football trailblazers and Lioness legends of the past.
      Heroines such as England Women’s first skipper Sheila Parker and Mary Phillip, the first black player to captain the side.
      And the team’ s tactical planning area has been dubbed The White Room in honour of the Lionesses’ record goal scorer Ellen White who retired last year.
      England’s “home away from home” contains the studio where Jill Scott films Lionesses Live.
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      The stadium of Australian A-League club Central Coast Mariners, where Usain Bolt spent a two-month spell as a player, is serving as the training space for Wiegman’s side. 
      The Lionesses will play Denmark on Friday, and hope to seal a win that will take them to the top of Group D.
      England sign of respectful acknowledgement to Australia’s cultureCredit: Getty
      Nike branded coffee cups at the England team baseCredit: Getty
      Nike laces are availableCredit: Getty More

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      Chaos at Women’s World Cup as nervous referee announces VAR decision before saying ‘no, wait!’

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      THE Women’s World Cup was plunged into momentary chaos after a referee announced the wrong decision after a VAR review.Spain had put in a good showing as they beat Zambia 5-0 at Eden Park in New Zealand.
      Referee Oh-Hyeon Jeong caused confusion during Spain’s win over ZambiaCredit: Getty
      Hyeon-Jeong initially did not give Jennifer Hermoso’s goalCredit: BBC
      Hermoso looked confused as the announcement was madeCredit: BBC
      But the official then quickly corrected her callCredit: BBC
      And Hemroso was thrilled when she realised that a goal had eventually been givenCredit: BBC
      However, the most intriguing moment came from referee Oh-Hyeon Jeong while there was a VAR check on Jennifer Hermoso’s goal in 70th minute.
      Hermoso had already netted earlier in the game but her second was initially ruled out as Olga Carmona was flagged offside in the build-up to the goal.
      After the lengthy check, it seemed that the Spaniard would be allowed the goal until Oh-Hyeon Jeong appeared to stick with her original decision.
      The official announced that the decision was “no goal!”, which was then met with boos from the crowd.
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      This then saw the referee backtrack and say: “No, wait… no offside – Goal!”
      But for a second the Spanish team were left confused due to the dodgy announcement before realising that the goal had been given.

      The players then wheeled off to celebrate their fourth goal of the game.
      It was not the last action of the match as Alba Redondo then netted her second of the game in the 85th minute.
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      During the Women’s World Cup history was made as referees are announcing VAR decisions to the spectators in the stadium through a microphone.
      It is the first time that this has been done at a senior international tournament.
      The trial by Fifa was also done at the Men’s Club World Cup and Men’s U20 World Cup earlier in the year.
      If the trial is deemed a success it could then arrive in major European competitions like the Premier League. More

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      Emotional Katie McCabe pays incredible tribute to Ireland teammates after suffering early World Cup exit versus Canada

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      HEARTBROKEN Katie McCabe hailed her Ireland teammates as heroes. The Girls in Green will be going home from the World Cup next week after their elimination was confirmed by today’s 2-1 loss to Canada. 
      Katie McCabe hailed her Ireland teammates as heroes.Credit: Sportsfile
      Ireland have exited the World Cup after losing 2-1 to CanadaCredit: Sportsfile
      Katie McCabe scored Ireland’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goalCredit: Sportsfile
      But captain McCabe insisted Ireland will bow out of the tournament with their heads held high after giving Australia and Canada scares. 
      She said: “We’re heartbroken about the result. What I am is very proud of the team and how we performed and how we gave it everything right until the very end.
      “My message was mostly how proud I was of each and every single player and staff member because of the journey we’ve all been on to get here. 
      “We showed at times we’re standing toe to toe with some of the best in the world. We want to get used to that.”

      Ireland led early when McCabe scored direct from a corner after four minutes, but an unlucky own goal just before half-time by Megan Connolly, and an early Adriana Leon strike in the second half made a difference. 
      McCabe continued: “I thought we started the game really well, lots of energy and obviously it was disappointing to concede the goal so close to half-time. 
      “We didn’t let it get our heads down. We still started the second half with energy. Obviously we’re bitterly disappointed to lose the game.” 
      The Arsenal star will now go down in history as Ireland’s first goal scorer at the Women’s World Cup, when she scored direct from a corner after four minutes. 
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      She added: “It was bittersweet because we lost the game. I would have taken a point tonight (instead of the goal) for sure.
      “I’m absolutely gutted, heartbroken for the girls. I felt like we deserved something more from the game, we gave it absolutely everything and it just wasn’t meant to be.”
      But she insisted that Ireland’s World Cup odyssey should be the platform for bigger and better things, and will inspire kids at home. 
      She declared: “For myself and each and every player in my team, the reason we started playing football was because of the love we have for the game and the smile it brings to our faces, the people you meet along the way, the teammates you have, and creating special moments like this. 
      “This is our first ever major tournament and I know for a fact, given those performances we put in, it won’t be our last. 
      “I want young girls and young boys in Ireland to dream and look up to us, because it could be them one day sitting here, playing and representing their country. 
      “I’m so proud and honoured to be able to lead the team to our first ever major tournament. 
      “For us yeah it was about creating history getting here but it’s also about leaving a legacy behind as well. 
      “We’ve given those girls and boys in Ireland the chance to dream and be like us one day. I hope we’ve done them proud, I hope we’ve done the nation proud.” More

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      Women’s World Cup food and drinks menu leaves fans outraged as they fume over ‘joke’ prices

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      A WOMEN’S WORLD CUP food and drinks menu has outraged fans who’ve blasted the “joke” prices.The menu at the Sydney Football Stadium has gone viral after being shared on social media.

      Twitter user Matt Vandenburg posted the menu and wrote: “Bucket of chicken 44 bucks? Scrandelous…”
      The picture shows the prices for food and drink at Tuesday’s clash between Colombia and South Korea.
      Included are a bucket of chicken for $44 and $57 for a snack pack – the equivalent of £23 and £29.
      Fans may choose purchase a chook pack for $65 (£34), popcorn chicken and chips for $23 (£12) or buffalo wings for $21 (£11).
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      “Additional” sauce is also on offer with a $2 (£1) charge.
      The food contract at the venue is held by Merivale, a company owned by multi-millionaire Australian businessman Justin Hemmes.
      Prices are understood to vary across the different venues in Australia and New Zealand.
      For example, the nearby Stadium Australia has pork belly tacos and corn chips priced at $27 (£14).
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      Outraged fans were quick to react to the price list, with one commenting: “Over inflated prices for average food.”
      Another added: “You don’t find these prices in any other stadium around the world. Only Australia. It’s a joke.”
      The Sydney Football Stadium is set to host England’s second group stage match.
      Fans have fumed over the prices of food and drinks at the Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      Sarina Wiegman’s side face Denmark on Friday in one of six matches being played at the venue.
      A win for the Lionesses could seal their place in the knockout stages of the tournament. More

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      Conor McGregor left in awe at freak moment in Ireland’s Women’s World Cup clash against Canada

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      CONOR MCGREGOR was left in awe of a freak goal in Ireland’s Women’s World Cup clash against Canada.The Girls in Green faced the reigning Olympic champions in their second group game in Perth on Wednesday.
      Katie McCabe scored directly from a corner in the fourth minuteCredit: ITV Football
      Conor McGregor was left in awe as he watched Ireland take on CanadaCredit: Sportsfile

      Captain Katie McCabe gave her side the lead after just four minutes with a stunning goal direct from a corner.
      The midfielder’s left-footed delivery looped over Canada keeper Kailen Sheridan for Ireland’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goal.
      McGregor was stunned by the strike, taking to Twitter to react to what he had seen.
      Quote-tweeting Ireland’s goal alert, he wrote: “What a player!”
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      The former UFC champion has been a vocal supporter of the Irish team so far in the tournament.
      He also tweeted: “Iconic moment in Irish football just now! The ladies running the show! Scored from the corner WOW! Captain McCabe!”
      Skipper McCabe has been in the headlines during the tournament, but not for anything she has done.
      Her ex-girlfriend Ruesha Littlejohn appeared to refuse to shake the hand of Caitlin Foord before their opening match against Australia.
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      Littlejohn and McCabe dated for seven years before confirming their split ahead of the World Cup.
      Meanwhile, Foord and McCabe are team-mates at Arsenal and recently enjoyed a holiday to Ibiza together.
      Unfortunately for McGregor and Ireland, they could not hold onto their lead until half-time.
      Megan Connolly’s stoppage time own goal pulled Canada level before Adriana Leon gave them the lead in the 53rd minute.
      Katie McCabe’s goal gave Ireland the lead against CanadaCredit: Reuters More

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      I won over 100 England caps and starred in a Women’s World Cup for England… now I’m a hero firefighter

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      FORMER England full-back Rachel Unitt is now a hero firefighter.The retired defender won 102 caps for the Lionesses and starred at two Women’s World Cups.
      Rachel Unitt now works as a firefighterCredit: Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
      Rachel Unitt played for England at two Women’s World CupsCredit: Getty
      After hanging up her boots in 2020, though, Unitt turned to a career as a firefighter with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue.
      The role has even seen her work alongside fellow ex-England star Michelle Hickmott.
      Unitt’s new job did not stop her revelling in last summer’s Euros triumph.
      England won their first major trophy by beating Germany in the final on home soil.
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      Discussing the importance of the win, she told the BBC at the time: “I hope the win brings more girls into the beautiful game.”
      The former Birmingham and Everton star added: “This momentous occasion will no doubt inspire so many little girls across the country who can now dream of ‘kicking it like Kirby’, as well as the lads who can ‘bend it like Beckham’.”
      Unitt, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017, played at five major tournaments for England.
      Those included both the 2007 and 2011 World Cups as well as the Euros in 2009, when England reached the final.
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      She was also named England’s International Player of the Year in 2004.
      Unitt’s career also earned her a place in the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
      The former left-back ended her glittering career three years ago, hanging up her boots in 2020. More