2023-07-23 09:58:47
The teams Sweden and the Netherlands celebrated favorite wins at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand on Sunday. The Swedes won in Kelburn in Group G once morest South Africa 2-1 (0-0), the Dutch women in Dunedin in Group E once morest Austria’s upcoming Nations League opponents Portugal 1-0 (1-0). The third Sunday game (12.00 p.m. CEST) in Group F in Sydney is the opening match between France, another ÖFB Nations League opponent, and Jamaica.
South Africa, as a blatant outsider, had taken the lead through Hildah Magaia (48′), Fridolina Rolfo equalized for the favorite (65′). Central defender Amanda Ilestedt scored the winning goal following a corner kick (90′). The Swedes had a lot of ball possession in the rain, but hardly any dangerous chances once morest the third-worst team of all World Cup participants in the FIFA ranking. The second Pool G match will be played by Italy and Argentina on Monday.
“South Africa didn’t make it easy for us,” said Ilestedt. “But we got into the game better and better. What counts in the first game is the win.” Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson was not worried regarding the start-up problems. “We’re used to being in situations like this and having to find solutions. It’s no coincidence that we decided the game from a corner.”
The Dutch goal came in the 13th minute from a Stefanie Van der Gragt header, but only following a VAR check. Originally, the assistant on the line had flagged offside. The ex-European champions in orange didn’t show all their qualities overall, the Portuguese, for their part, kept their first shot on goal in the final phase. On Thursday, the 2019 World Cup final will be repeated between the Dutch and the US defending champions.
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