Special Event: 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup: Quarter-finals

August 10, 2023 3:14 PM

We're down to 8 teams. Who will progress to the semi-finals, who will kick (or stomp on) who's butt, and who will have an agonizing penalty loss?

Many of the giants 🇺🇲🇩🇪🇧🇷🇨🇦 and underdogs 🇯🇲🇿🇦🇳🇬🇲🇦🇳🇿🇵🇭 have fallen, and it's going to be mostly up to the upper-middle class of the game to sort out a winner.

_🇨🇭SUI 1_                 2023 WOMENS WORLD CUP              _2 AUS🇦🇺_
  5th    \_🇪🇸ESP_            KNOCKOUT STAGE          _AUS🇦🇺_/    7th  
_🇪🇸ESP 5_/       \                                  /       \_0 DEN🇩🇰_
             11th \_____          ⚽         _____/   12th          
_🇳🇱NED 2_         /     \                    /     \         _4 FRA🇫🇷_
  6th    \_🇳🇱NED_/       \                  /       \_FRA🇫🇷_/    8th 
_🇿🇦RSA 0_/                \                /                \_0 MAR🇲🇦_
                 15th Aug  \_____ 🏆 _____/  16th Aug              
_🇯🇵JPN 3_                  /              \                  p0 ENG🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿_
  5th    \_🇯🇵JPN_         /    20th Aug    \         _ENG🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿󠁧_/    7th  
_🇳🇴NOR 1_/       \       /                  \       /       \_0 NGA🇳🇬_
             11th \_____/                    \_____/  12th          
_🇸🇪SWE 0p         /                                \         _1 COL🇨🇴_
  6th    \_🇸🇪SWE_/                                  \_COL🇨🇴_/    8th  
_🇺🇸USA 0_/             All dates in AUS/NZ time             \_0 JAM🇯🇲_

posted by Superilla (47 comments total)

My in-laws are visiting from Japan and I subscribed to a sports channel so that my father-in-law could watch golf, but they also are showing all the WWC games, so I'm hoping that Japan goes all the way and wins the thing so that we can excitedly watch the final live. The match tomorrow is going to be at 3:30am local time so I don't think anyone will be up for that but waking up at 6am on the 20th is definitely doable.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:56 PM on August 10, 2023

In my group chat all my friends' children are going to school wearing green and gold for the Matildas. It's incredibly wholesome. (Australia to beat France, you heard it here first).

I will say this: Do not underestimate Colombia.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:25 PM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

I'm listening to a rebroadcast on Youtube of what sounds like it might be Australian radio. It's amusing to hear all the Ozzie ads, even if I have no idea what they're talking about.

Sounds like Spain is dominating so far.
posted by clawsoon at 6:58 PM on August 10, 2023

That was an interesting offsides call on the one ball in the net. Spain’s been looking good.
posted by Quasirandom at 7:01 PM on August 10, 2023

Australian commentator, laughing about how bad and blatant the penalty was: "I would be checking this for match-fixing!"
posted by clawsoon at 7:43 PM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

That retracted yellow card / penalty had the Randomlet howling in indignation.
posted by Quasirandom at 8:06 PM on August 10, 2023 [2 favorites]

Another match goes to extra-time. Let's hope it doesn't end up on penalties.
posted by jjderooy at 8:16 PM on August 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

At least it won’t be 0-0 then penalties.
posted by Quasirandom at 8:22 PM on August 10, 2023

It’s still super weird to me that if Japan wins tonight, they will rematch with Spain in the semis? It feels like the groups should have split to opposite sides of the knockout brackets.

Anyway, I’m glad Spain won; they certainly dominated that game. But I’m still thinking Japan is going to run away with the whole thing this year.

(This ends the last match before the final that I will be watching live)
posted by thecaddy at 8:48 PM on August 10, 2023

That was some game today and I’m happy Spain won. Especially that Beerenshtyn had multiple chances and didn’t score.
posted by billsaysthis at 10:08 PM on August 10, 2023

A quiet first 30 minutes but Sweden gets the first goal. It's the first time Japan has trailed in this tournament. Can they answer?
posted by LostInUbe at 1:04 AM on August 11, 2023

And a handball gives Sweden a penalty and the 2-0 lead. The way the game is going, it looks like it will be Sweden's night.
posted by LostInUbe at 1:38 AM on August 11, 2023

Nothing is going Japan's way as a PK hits the crossbar! Time is running out for Nadshiko Japan.
posted by LostInUbe at 2:06 AM on August 11, 2023

A Japan free kick hits TWO crossbars but doesn't go in but Japan is finally on the board with ten minutes of free time left.
posted by LostInUbe at 2:22 AM on August 11, 2023

Well, that was an intense ten minutes. Sweden didn't allow Japan to get anything going (they didn't get a shot off until the 2nd half). Sweden vs Spain in the next round.
posted by LostInUbe at 2:30 AM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

I felt Japan had more control for the first quarter or so, without a serious threat, then suddenly Sweden had two big chances, flubbed the first then took advantage of some penalty box pinball, then took a bit more control. Had to start work at half time, which is a shame as it sounds like it was the more interesting 45.
posted by biffa at 2:33 AM on August 11, 2023

Back here for England in the morning!
posted by biffa at 2:34 AM on August 11, 2023

So none of the 6 teams still in has won before…
posted by Quasirandom at 3:31 AM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

I'm a little surprised to have not heard "tiki-taka" in reference to the style of the Spanish team, though perhaps that reflects my lack of football knowledge.
posted by clawsoon at 3:44 AM on August 11, 2023

I think it came up (not here) when they lost to Japan because it was the epitome of the emptiness of the idea (to some). To lose 4-0 when you have possession 78 percent of the game seemed absurd.
posted by LostInUbe at 4:30 AM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

Apologies to all fans of Japan that I jinxed above.
posted by thecaddy at 4:41 AM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

Wow. That was a good game. Japan just had such precision, great ball passing and delivery. The ball just did not bounce their way this time.

I hope Sweden can perform against Spain. And also Swedish goalie Musovic is my absolute hero.
posted by Rabarberofficer at 8:21 AM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

Wow, first Canada and now Japan. Seems like whoever I root for loses, which I guess means I'll be rooting for England next.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 10:30 AM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

I had the ecstasy/agony roller coaster of realizing ESP-NED would be on at a reasonable time, then being out at a restaurant and finding out it was starting (instead of two hours later, because I forgot the schedule was in Eastern time), then rushing home to catch the second half only to meet failure after failure trying VPN it through ITV, Optus, CanalPlus and RTE before giving up. Then watching the highlights the next day and realizing it would have been a pretty good match to watch. Unless you were Dutch and prone to conspiracy thinking.

Mušović is great; she was amazing against USA. My wife pointed out she has very intense eyebrows, like huskies do.
posted by Superilla at 2:47 PM on August 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

which I guess means I'll be rooting for England next.

The football gods know when there is no love in your heart.
posted by biffa at 2:56 PM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

The Randomlet loved finally getting to watch a game, ESP-NED, and was rooting for Netherlands (in part because the father of one of their better friends is from Spain), and went Big NOOOOOO! at the winning goal. Their favorite team after USA was Japan, and the news this morning of another 2-1 loss resulted in another.

They play -- well, when they return next season it'll be U12, but for the past two years it was U10 as a solid defender. It was cool watching them actively paying attention to defensive plays, and how good ones evolved. Until Paralluelo's goal anyway 😂
posted by Quasirandom at 3:50 PM on August 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

MAAAAAAAAAAAATILDAS
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 12:53 AM on August 12, 2023

I missed the first half, but the second half would have had France down by a couple were it not for some beautiful saves by the French goalie. Let’s hope the extra time will see some results.
posted by Liesl at 1:56 AM on August 12, 2023

aaaaghh the tension!!!!
posted by Liesl at 2:50 AM on August 12, 2023

gaaaaaaaah!
posted by Liesl at 3:01 AM on August 12, 2023

That was a LOT.
posted by the duck by the oboe at 3:07 AM on August 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

I am a Sydney FC fan and have been on the Cortnee Vine train for a long time, this is spectacular
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 3:12 AM on August 12, 2023

Holy forking shirtballs that shootout was immense.
posted by jjderooy at 3:13 AM on August 12, 2023

The whole country is rooting for Australia. You heard me. And I am certain that some of the children that result will have have their names spelled ‘Cortnee’
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 3:23 AM on August 12, 2023 [2 favorites]

I am seeking large supplies of blood pressure pills.

And also tissues for all the happy tears.
That was the most uplifting thing Australia has seen in, oh, forever.
posted by honey-barbara at 3:25 AM on August 12, 2023

Well that was intense. Some brilliant play by both Australia and France. Those penalties. Such a rollercoaster. I don't enjoy penalties at the best of times but when it is your team on such a big occasion it was terrible. I can't believe it took 10 rounds. I wonder how many shoot outs at this level take that many.
posted by daffodil at 4:29 AM on August 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

Well, both my teams are out. Now who to root for?
posted by Liesl at 4:57 AM on August 12, 2023

England looking a lot better in the second half.
posted by biffa at 4:57 AM on August 12, 2023

These quarterfinals are turning out to be a real bummer for me, personally. I was essentially a neutral when Japan-Sweden started, but by the end I was really hoping Nadeshiko would come back. France are always my team if Iceland aren’t playing (I lived in France as a kid) and I thought they were much the better team against the Matildas (though that may be my supporter’s eye view of the game) and now Colombia, who’ve been the most joyful story of this World Cup, are losing to a grimly efficient England. Ah well, hopefully Colombia score soon.
posted by Kattullus at 5:05 AM on August 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

If I were a neutral, I would have wanted a Colombia-Australia semifinal. But I am not neutral, so ENG-ER-LAND!

After last year's joyful run to the Euros final for England, where they played beautifully, this has been much less convincing – and often excruciating. England mostly had control this time but Colombia were so dangerous on the counter that the least mistake could have been punished.

The two possible games left though, are potentially the hardest. Australia were the last team to beat England. Spain came within a Rizla paper of winning at the Euros. Even though England beat Sweden last time they played, Sweden are clearly rejuvenated and Musovic has been immense.

If I had to bet, I would bet on an Australia-Spain final. But since the pre-tournament hoodoo of all the injuries, England have been on a strange, streaky run of luck, and luck is probably the most important thing of all.
posted by finisterre at 6:05 AM on August 12, 2023

If you cheered for Japan and subscribe to the "if someone must win, let them be from my conference" rule then you move your cheering interests to Australia (both in the AFC).

No matter what, we will have a first time winner so I'm not necessarily rooting against anyone at this point.
posted by LostInUbe at 6:13 AM on August 12, 2023 [2 favorites]

Well it didn't feel like England robbed Colombia, in the way that they were incredibly spawny to get past Nigeria. First half was pretty balanced, England dominated first 20 minutes of the second half and the rest was a bit defensive from them so Colombia built their number of attacks. I would have preferred England maintained a more attacking approach as I think that was giving a bit more control.

The reserve Colombian keeper looked like a rabbit in the headlights when she came in unexpectedly so I was glad she didn't drop any stinkers but from a strategic perspective I think England should have been testing her a bit more.
posted by biffa at 6:40 AM on August 12, 2023

Here's an interesting stat, Chloe Kelly's penalty kick for England against Nigeria this week was the fastest shot of the WWC so far, but was also faster than any shot in the 2022-23 season of the men's English Premier League.
posted by biffa at 7:36 AM on August 12, 2023

Oof glad I was asleep for France! The benefits of dual nationality but I really thought France had played better all tournament than England, but come on England!
posted by ellieBOA at 10:09 AM on August 12, 2023

Haven't been able to watch any of these live except Spain-Netherlands, but I'm finally caught up! Not quite how I'd have liked all these games to break, but really fun matches to watch, pretty much across the board.

No favorites left for me, so rooting for the home team, but generally prepared to be happy for whoever wins.
posted by the primroses were over at 5:03 PM on August 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

I'm looking forward to tonight's Spain-Sweden game, even if I'll have to catch it in recaps. (Yeah, not getting up for a 1am kickoff local time.)
posted by Quasirandom at 2:14 PM on August 14, 2023

New post!
posted by Superilla at 10:05 PM on August 14, 2023