Doubts were raised about Spain’s ability to go far at the Women’s World Cup without a fully fit Alexia Putellas, but Aitana Bonmati‘s starring role in their 5-1 demolition of Switzerland showed that they are not over-reliant on the current Ballon d’Or. By the time Putellas came off the bench in the 77th minute on Saturday, the […]
Andy Scott
Agence France-Presse
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Classy Bonmati sends five-star Spain into World Cup quarters
Jorge Vilda said he had “the 23 best players in the world” after Aitana Bonmati starred in a 5-1 demolition of Switzerland on Saturday to send Spain into the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. Bonmati scored twice and got two assists in front of 43,217 at Auckland’s Eden Park — a new […]
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Spain pursues World Cup history but Japan thrashing 'left a mark'
Spanish coach Jorge Vilda says La Roja will learn from the heavy defeat by Japan as it aims to make history by winning a Women’s World Cup knockout game for the first time against Switzerland on Saturday. A Spanish team led by reigning Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas was seen as a contender coming into […]
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Lindsey Horan responds to Carli Lloyd: 'You have no idea what is going on behind the scenes'
U.S. captain Lindsey Horan has called on the defending champions to “raise the standard” heading into the Women’s World Cup knockout phase but defended her team against criticism that followed the goalless draw with Portugal. The four-time champions limped through to a last-16 against Sweden after holding on for a 0-0 stalemate against Portugal at Eden Park […]
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'We can beat them': Sweden set up USA showdown at World Cup
Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said his in-form side are “convinced” they can knock the United States out of the Women’s World Cup after setting up a last-16 tie with the holders this weekend. A Rebecka Blomqvist header and an Elin Rubensson penalty gave a much-changed Sweden team a 2-0 win over Argentina in Hamilton on Wednesday as they topped Group G […]
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USWNT's continued bullishness appears misplaced
The USA came into the Women’s World Cup as the favorite to win a third title in a row but it heads into the last 16 looking anything but champion material after limping through the group stage. There were already doubts about Vlatko Andonovski‘s team after an unimpressive 3-0 win over Vietnam in their opening game […]
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Vlatko Andonovski responds to Carli Lloyd: 'We know it's not good enough'
Vlatko Andonovski says it would be “insane” to question the mentality of his U.S. team but admitted the 0-0 draw with Portugal to scrape into the Women’s World Cup last 16 on Tuesday was “not good enough.” The defending champions only needed a point against the World Cup debutants at Eden Park to advance but […]
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USA survives huge Portugal scare
The United States survived a huge scare to reach the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw against Portugal, which was unlucky not to claim a sensational win at Eden Park that would have taken them through instead. The USA struggled to impose itself against opponents ranked 21st in […]
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USA focused on avoiding Portugal shock: 'We don't want to look two, three or four steps forward'
Rose Lavelle brings the ball up the field against Carole in the last USA-Portugal meeting in June 2021, a 1-0 U.S. win in Houston. Photo: Wilf Thorne/ISI Photos * * * * * The United States may need a big win against Portugal at the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday to top Group E, but […]
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Megan Rapinoe adapting to bench-player status: 'When the time is right I will be ready'
A starter in 13 games in the previous three World Cups, Megan Rapinoe was subbed on in the 68th minute of the USA’s 3-0 win over Vietnam but stayed on the bench during its 1-1 tie with the Netherlands. * * * * * * * * * * Megan Rapinoe admitted Sunday to some […]