(Photo credit score: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
Previewing the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Group C
Spain, Costa Rica, Zambia, Japan
The favourite: Spain seeks its first journey previous the ultimate 16 of the World Cup. It has just one journey past the final eight of the European Championships however edged out Canada for the ultimate prime seed within the World Cup draw primarily based on some stronger latest type.
Best matchup: With Spain and Japan each prone to advance from some of the top-heavy teams within the event, probably the most compelling group stage motion may come when second-time qualifiers Costa Rica and debutants Zambia meet on Matchday 3. Neither facet may need an opportunity at advancing from the group at that time, however each may seemingly be seeking to make historical past with a first-ever World Cup win.
History lesson: While Spain are the group favorites, Japan is definitely probably the most seasoned nation in Group C, having received the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier than ending second to the United States in 2015. The latter was a second consecutive defeat to the Americans in a ultimate after a 2-1 loss within the gold-medal match on the 2012 Olympic Games.
Players to observe: Spain’s Alexia Putellas is likely one of the world’s nice playmakers, however she was restricted to 5 league appearances for Barcelona this season — all off the bench — after an prolonged layoff as a result of a knee harm. Japan middle again and captain Saki Kumagai is the one member of the present nationwide staff who was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad.
Up subsequent: If the group goes as anticipated, Spain and Japan may very well be favored towards whoever shall be their second-round opponents from Group A. After that, although, the group winner may very well be rewarded by avoiding a attainable quarterfinal towards the two-time defending champion United States, who shall be favored in Group E.
–Field Level Media