New Women's football thread (inc World Cup) 2023-26

[Durhamfootman]

Kerr found her scoring boots

[GarlicJam]

Kerr found her scoring boots

Yes. One in each of the finals so far.

It was a very good solo goal from her to clinch the win against China.

[alfie]

Yes Kerr's goal was a ripper. Aussie girls improved in that semi but Japan in the final looks a very tough task.

[GarlicJam]

... but Japan in the final looks a very tough task.

Japan just that bit more polished, scored a fine goal early on and managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead for the rest of the match.

Aus played quite well and took it right up to Japan, but it was not to be (again).

[alfie]

Was a spirited effort from the Aussie girls but Japan a bit too composed. Did think they (Japan) played a little more conservatively than expected late in the match which actually opened the possibility of an equaliser - were one or two decent chances but the keeper was too good.

Best team won no question.

[Durhamfootman]

well done to the Aussie women, for a sterling competition

do the Aussies have a collective pronoun? Jill's or anything like that?

[Durhamfootman]

Ah.... Matilda's..... of course

bleeding obvious really

[GarlicJam]

Ah.... Matilda's..... of course

bleeding obvious really

it's a lot better than the Socceroos...

[Durhamfootman]

anything would be better than the socceroos

[Durhamfootman]

Jeez.... that was a hard watch from the lionesses tonight. 500th game and a narrow 1-0 win over an Iceland team who could and probably should have won that game

Now I hadn't realised that England had beaten Spain on Tuesday night.... I didn't even know it was on and I'd heard or read absolutely nothing about it, which is quite a feat, I think. But how bloody English would it be to beat the mighty Spain and then not beat *modded* Iceland?

Anyway, I digress. First half was all England. Iceland sat back and parked the bus, only venturing out of their half once, which England capitalised on by scoring on the counter. A really good goal, with Hemp breaking away, sliding the ball out wide to Russo, who drove the ball into the bottom far corner after some quick work with her feet. I think England had 77% possession in that first half. Fair enough, says I..... keep the pressure on, let them get tired and score another couple later on, easy win.

Not a bit of it. Iceland came out in the second half like they were the defending world champions, pushed England right back, caused them loads of problems, pressed like their lives depended upon it and England pretty much folded under the pressure. The more England wilted, the more confident Iceland became and it was just a matter of time before they equalised.... You could feel it coming.

Step forward Hannah Hampton who pulled off a string of top saves, point blank saves, near open goal saves. It was astonishing, no matter what Iceland did, no matter how often they carved England open she kept getting a toe on the ball, a finger on the ball, a thigh on the ball. She must have saved her team 5 times in 10 or 15 mins in that last quarter of the game. Honestly.... never mind how did Iceland not equalise, how did they not win? It was extraordinary! England were all over the place and by the end were just defending and lumping the ball upfield, because there was never anyone ahead to pass it to. *modded*!

Fair play to Iceland in that second half, they were magnificent. They had my nerves so shredded that I'm going to credit their bus parking first half as part of a terrific plan that probably should have worked. They absolutely caught England cold in that last 45. Take a bow

[Durhamfootman]

Now I'm going to check back and see what happened in that game v Spain on Tuesday night

[Durhamfootman]

1-0 on Tuesday at Wembley

It feels like this group will come down to GD, so England will have to find more goals from somewhere. They can't keep relying on Hampton, who denied Spain as well, to keep them in games. Spain had 21 shots against England, with Hampton making 3 saves and the woodwork 2. Hemp scored the winning goal after only 3 mins had been played. The woodwork saved England tonight as well