Women's World Cup 2015: Latest Group Results, Table and Saturday Schedule
Holders Japan reached the last 16 of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup on the same day Switzerland hit 10 goals in Canada. Meanwhile, USA will have to wait to learn its fate after drawing a blank against Sweden.
Those matches preceded what should be another dramatic day, as both France and Brazil are one win short of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Before previewing today's schedule, here are the full results from Friday, followed by what those scores meant for the tables:
| Group | Fixture | Result |
| C | Australia vs. Nigeria | 2-0 |
| C | Switzerland vs. Ecuador | 10-1 |
| D | USA vs. Sweden | 0-0 |
| D | Japan vs. Cameroon | 2-1 |
Group C
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 |
| Cameroon | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Ecuador | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -15 | 0 |
Swiss forward Ramona Bachmann was one of the day's top performers. The 24-year-old netted a hat-trick, including two successful spot-kicks, as part of her country's amazing assault on goal against Ecuador.
Bachmann's team-mate, midfield ace Fabienne Humm, also struck a trio of goals as the Swiss ran riot. It was the second time during this tournament that a team has reached double figures in a game, after Germany hit 10 past Ivory Coast in Group B.
But Ramm wasn't the only midfielder to dominate on the day. Japanese playmaker Aya Miyama was at the heart of everything her nation did going forward.
Defender Aya Sameshima and forward Yuika Sugasawa may have bagged the goals, but Miyama's vision and expert set-piece delivery was the real difference against Cameroon.
Now the Japanese are the first team to reach the knockout phase. This experienced group knows what it takes to win this tournament and plays a well-organised, collective game.
Even with qualification assured, the Japanese are a safe bet to add yet more misery to Ecuador's nightmare tournament. The crunch game of this group obviously pits the Swiss against Cameroon.
The former have been inconsistent, failing to score against Japan before going goal crazy in their latest match. But Cameroon are certainly not just making up the numbers at this tournament. Theirs is a physically strong squad that keeps a good shape and can match any team for pace and industry.
Group D
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points |
| USA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Sweden | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Nigeria | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
The USA struggled to make its attacking talent count against a particularly stubborn Swedish outfit. Writing for the Guardian, Caitlin Murray watched the events unfold in Winnipeg. She felt both teams "looked out of ideas and perhaps daunted by the hype surrounding this high-caliber face-off."
In the end, it took a stunning goal-line clearance from full-back Meghan Klingenberg just to preserve the stalemate and ensure a point apiece. But it was Sweden's veteran stopper, Hedvig Lindahl, who really stood out.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper "made a string of fine stops," including denying towering USA striker Abby Wambach late on, per BBC Sport.
Lindahl's heroics mean Sweden can still qualify provided they beat Australia in their final group match. It's no easy task and the Scandinavians will certainly have to show more guile in front of goal.
They've been hit and miss so far, hitting three against Nigeria before failing to find the net against tougher opposition.
Meanwhile, although the U.S. haven't fired on all cylinders so far during this tournament, coach Jill Ellis' team should still seal top spot and qualification against Nigeria. That will mean a passage to the last 16 where skipper Wambach and company will hope their best is yet to come.
Saturday's Schedule
| Date | Fixture | Group | Time (ET/ BST) | TV |
| Saturday, June 13 | France vs. Colombia | F | 1 p.m./6 p.m. | Fox / BBC Red Button |
| Saturday, June 13 | Brazil vs. Spain | E | 4 p.m./9 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 / BBC 3 |
| Saturday, June 13 | England vs. Mexico | F | 4 p.m./9 p.m. | Fox / BBC 3 |
| Saturday, June 13 | Korea Republic vs. Costa Rica | E | 6 p.m./11 p.m. | Fox Sports 2 |
Brazil and France on Verge of Qualification
A win apiece for Brazil and France will see both nations qualify for the knockout phase. However, they each face tough tasks.
Brazil must see off a Spain side that counts attacking midfielder Veronica Boquete as its creative hub. Her battle against Brazil's technical marvel Marta is certainly one to watch, according to FIFA.com.
But the Brazilians are about more than just the most famous player in women's football. Forward Cristiane is also a dangerous talent who should have too much pace and clever movement for the Spanish to contain.
As for the French, the potent combination between mercurial playmaker Louisa Necib and striker Eugenie Le Sommer should be enough to see off Colombia. The French are certainly resolute and defensively solid but will need a little more creative verve to outwit their South American opponents.
Both Brazil and France boast the quality to have a major say in the tournament's final reckoning. With qualification at stake, both should make their talent count and deliver performances worthy of the stage.
