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Day five of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw the final first round group games as the last six teams started their respective campaigns, including Euro 2022 finalists Germany in Group H and current Copa America champions Brazil in Group F.
There were a cople of big wins, a much more hard fought contest, and now only two teams are still waiting to begin their World Cup tournaments.
Cristiana Girelli proved to be the match-winner as her 87th minute header, which was her 54th goal in 104 international appearancesm sealed a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Italy.
Girelli had started on the bench and scored after being on the pitch for less than five minutes.
Instant impact 💥
Cristiana Girelli finds the breakthrough for #ITA after mere minutes on the pitch!#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/xXIfHPuVez
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 24, 2023
Which begs the question – does she start for Italy in their next match against Sweden, or is she best used as a super sub?
“Does Cristiana Girelli start for #ITA next game?” ❔
Without doubt, says @emmsb30…#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/0IbieztWtl
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 24, 2023
Girelli came on as a replacement for Giulia Dragoni, who made history as the youngest player to ever represent Italy in the Women’s World Cup at 16-years-old. She’s earned the nickname ‘Little Messi’ for her skill and technical abilities.
Nothing spectacular but given she’s 16 a pretty accomplished performance from Giulia Dragoni.
Only failed to complete 3 passes and did some good defensive work recoveries wise.#ITA #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/AXDAIhtbZt
— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) July 24, 2023
“Giulia is a talent,” Italy’s coach, Milena Bertolini, said. “She was ready both technically and tactically. I think that she did very well considering her age and also playing in such a big stadium in such a big event.”
In what has been the biggest scoreline of the tournament thus far, Germany thrashed debutants Morocco 6-0 to top Group H.
The biggest win of the 2023 World Cup so far…
🇩🇪 Germany 6-0 Morocco 🇲🇦#FIFAWWC | #GER pic.twitter.com/dZ8edp2hap
— 90min (@90min_Football) July 24, 2023
Morocco scored two own goals, and also conceded at the hands of Alexandra Popp, who scored a brace, Klara Buhl, and Lea Schuller.
At 32-years-old, Popp is one of the best strikers in the world, and her ability to seemingly only need one chance makes Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side such a powerhouse.
Germany came into this World Cup as a favourite. Despite having a poor run of results leading up to the competition, early signs show that they are still one of the teams to beat.
Germany have been the best team I’ve seen so far in this World Cup… Nobody has blown me away yet but they look pretty sharp.
— Emma Sanders (@em_sandy) July 24, 2023
What should be even more concerning for the top teams is that key players Marina Hegering and Lena Oberdorf did not participate, due to not being 100% fit. Germany can get even stronger.
The fact that Germany are doing this without Lena Oberdorf should be a huge worry to the rest of the teams in tournament.She gives them an entirely different level of control when she plays, they can patiently control games but they can also go direct straight to Popp.
— Stephen Conroy (@SJConroy17) July 24, 2023
For Morocco, they’ll certainly need to dedicate a training session or two on how to more organised and better defend set-pieces.
“As it stands we came across a team which was superior to our own: David and Goliath,” said Morocco coach Reynald Pedros. “They had something that we didn’t. I think it goes without saying we were probably going to lose but I think we didn’t need to lose by six goals.”
A more long-term question that some of the players will be asking themselves is if they should look to make a move to leagues with more competition. A large group of the squad play for AS FAR, Morocco’s most successful club football team – but is that hindering their international performaces?
I think this game is the best example of why those ASFAR players need to move to bigger leagues. The likes of Tagnaout and Chebbak are technically level with the Germans, but the players just cannot keep up with the pace of the game.
— Alasdair Howorth (@ahoworth97) July 24, 2023
The good news is that they’ve got their most difficult game of the group on paper out of the way, and they can now focus on better, more unified performances against Colombia and South Korea.
A fan even took to social media to remind the world that Argentina also lost their first match at the men’s World Cup, a tournament they went on to win.
argentina also lost their opener before winning the whole thing MOROCCO HANG ON TIGHTpic.twitter.com/WuRWrRjs4y
— 🫧. (@ADDYBCTHS) July 24, 2023
A bit of wishful thinking never hurt anyone, right?
Brazil took full advantage of France dropping points on Sunday, beating Panama 4-0, with a hat-trick for Ary Borges.
It marks the first treble of the tournament, and the first Brazilian player to score three goals on their World Cup debut.
“Playing for #BRA. Opening game. Hat-trick… it’s what dreams are made of” 🤩
Karen Carney breaks down Ary Borges’ three goals…
🎤 @laura_woodsy#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/n9HGFD6oDR
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 24, 2023
And the one goal, she didn’t score? She assisted in what can only be called true Brazilian flair.
Ary Borges, stop that 😮💨
Borges hits the BACKHEEL assist to tee up Bia Zaneratto for #BRA’s third… Samba style 🇧🇷#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Zsf8L3RI8a
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 24, 2023
What a team goal that is!
Ary came off in the 76th minute at 4-0 up for the one and only Marta, a true icon of the game making an appearance at a sixth World Cup – the third player to do it at this tournament.
Marta joins Onome Ebi and Christine Sinclair playing in their SIXTH Women’s World Cup.
Legends 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BOzIlWa3kY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 24, 2023
Ary Borges x Marta 🇧🇷😍 pic.twitter.com/UEsuv5i0ej
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) July 24, 2023
Panama, who like Morocco are also competing in their first ever World Cup, showed some small glimpses of good football, but they just could not keep the ball for long enough to pose any threat.
While their team will surely be dissapointed, it’s a win to see them competing at this level, a place they couldn’t reach before, and the hope that women’s football there, and in all the countries that are making their first appearance continues to thrive.
Philippines, Morocco, Panama, Vietnam, Haiti, Ireland, Zambia and Portugal are a win for women’s football. Ecosystems of sport were not meant to be restricted. They need to grow, be paid, supported and thrive. New teams create precedent for other countries dreaming of competing.
— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) July 22, 2023
READ MORE ON THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
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