Every day, throughout the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, 20 Minutes takes stock of the highlights of the competition. This Tuesday, New Zealand came down from its little cloud, brought back to earth by the surprising team of the Philippines. Norway is on the verge of crisis.
Released from the group stage of the Euro last summer, Norway is exposed to a new major disappointment. Despite a much more convincing performance than on the first day, Guro Reiten and his gang failed to break through the Swiss defense (0-0). Ada Hegerberg could not play. The former Ballon d’Or however entered the lawn with the holders… but she injured her groin just before kick-off. “I felt discomfort sprinting right after the hymns,” she explained on Twitter. To make matters worse, Caroline Graham Hansen, double European champion with Barça, expressed her feelings after being relegated to the bench by her coach. Beaten by New Zealand at the start of the tournament (0-1), Norway have not scored a single goal in two games and find themselves in quite a mess: they will have to beat the Philippines on Sunday at 9 a.m. to see the round of 16.
A page in the history of Filipino sport was written at the Sky Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday. Sarina Bolden’s headbutt gave her selection her first World Cup victory against New Zealand (0-1). The Ferns, who had a golden opportunity to get closer to the round of 16, sinned in the last gesture. The Philippines also received a little help from fate when the post returned Jacqui Hand’s shot. “It looks like a home game in Manila, welcomed coach Alen Stajcic at the end of the game. I have everyone’s tears in my eyes, it’s so moving. The 46th nation in the world allows itself to dream: a victory over Norway on Sunday would open the doors to the round of 16. A draw could even be enough if Switzerland beats New Zealand.
- Colombia serves coffee
You had to get up early (kick-off at 4 a.m.) to see South Korean Casey Phair become the youngest player to appear in the World Cup, at the age of 16 years and 26 days. Colombia, however, gave him no gift in Sydney (2-0). The experienced Catalina Usme (33) unlocked the counter from the penalty spot, after a hand in the box. The little prodigy Linda Caicedo (18), recruited by Real Madrid this year, then scored for her big debut at the World Cup, after a rush from 40 meters – with the help of the opposing goalkeeper, of course, author of a very big hand fault. Absent during the 2019 edition, the Cafeteras settled behind Germany in Group H. The two nations also have an appointment in five days.
How’s Wendie Renard’s calf? The staff of the France team did not dispel the fog surrounding the captain of Les Bleues. No info, apart from a few crumbs thrown out by Amel Majri at a press conference: “I met her earlier, it’s fine. We know she has a little calf glitch. On the diagnosis, we do not know more. The medical staff is doing everything to get her back on her feet as quickly as possible. Uncertainty remains over his participation in Sunday’s clash against Brazil. Naomie Feller also joined the infirmary, victim of discomfort in one thigh. The bad luck…