Women's World Cup Results 2015: Group Scores and Twitter Reaction from Monday
Groups C and D got things underway at the 2015 Women's World Cup on Monday, with powerhouses such as the United States, Japan and Sweden all in action.
Below, we'll take a look back at the scores, recaps and Twitter reactions from the day of soccer.
Scores
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| D | Sweden | 3-3 | Nigeria |
| C | Cameroon | 6-0 | Ecuador |
| D | United States | 3-1 | Australia |
| C | Japan | 1-0 | Switzerland |
Japan Edges out Switzerland on Penalty
Aya Miyama scored from the penalty spot in the 29th minute, and that's all Japan needed to take three points from Switzerland on Monday night.
As the 1-0 score line would attest, the difference between the two teams wasn't all that significant. According to FIFA.com, Switzerland had 55 percent of possession, but the Swiss and Japanese finished with the same number of shots on goal (3). They were also only separated by two total shots (15-13) in favor of Japan.
The reigning world champions weren't entirely convincing, but as the cliche goes, the best teams find a way to win when they aren't playing their best.
The result might actually be bigger for Switzerland, which is playing in its first Women's World Cup. Dan Lauletta of The Equalizer argued that the Swiss more than held their own in their tournament debut:
United States Opens World Cup with 3-1 Win over Australia
It wasn't always pretty for the United States. In fact, the team was shaky and downright outplayed by Australia in the first half. But the team made tactical adjustments in the second half, received brilliant performances from Hope Solo and Megan Rapinoe and escaped a tough Australia side with a 3-1 win.
Rapinoe was once again a force to be reckoned with, notching a brace in the contest, while Christen Press also scored for the United States. Lisa De Vanna scored the lone goal for Australia. The United States held 54 percent of possession and outshot the Australians 12-10 (6-5 on goal).
Kyle McCarthy of Fox Sports summarized the game nicely:
Australia opened strongly, however, and Solo made two absolutely stunning saves in the first half to keep Australia off the board. Former U.S. men's national team star Landon Donovan was impressed:
"Those two saves by @hopesolo are two of the better saves you'll see any goalie make at any level...especially the second one
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) June 8, 2015"
Solo kept Australia off the board, and a bit of luck got the United States on it in the 12th minute. Rapinoe took a shot from the edge of the box in a crowd and got a lucky deflection, as the ball found its way into the back of the net.
But the United States defense would let it down 15 minutes later, as several American defenders were caught ball watching, and De Vanna was able to first-time a ball in the box into the net to even the game.
The second half was all about the United States, however.
In the 61st minute, Sydney Leroux was able to get in a one-on-one situation out wide, blowing past her defender into the box and sending a low cross toward Press, who perfectly guided the ball into the net for the go-ahead goal.
Rapinoe would finish things off in the 78th minute, as her defender gave her far too much space on the edge of the box, and the American star took a quick step to her left and ripped a shot across the face of the goal, giving the U.S. a two-goal cushion and the win.
Indeed, after the game, many of the plaudits were reserved for Rapinoe. Ives Galarcep of Goal.com thought she played a fantastic match:
Tactically, however, the United States seemed shaky at times. The insertion of Tobin Heath into the midfield in the 68th minute slowed the game down and allowed the Americans to control possession, as Heath was everywhere in the midfield. Press' goal was an indication that, while she should be on the field, she's at her best playing as a forward. And, yes, the defense was shaky at times, namely in the first half.
So was the midfield, as Michael Cummings of Bleacher Report noted:
Perhaps the U.S. will give Heath the starting nod in the next contest to help in that regard:
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated offered another possible concern going forward:
On the other hand, the depth of the Americans was clearly visible, and Australia seemed worn out by the end of the day. It has to be a concern for the rest of the field that the United States played far from its best game and still came away with a 3-1 victory over a solid Australian side, especially with Alex Morgan starting on the bench.
It's clear that the United States has some kinks to work out. But if Monday night was any indication, it is going to be a tough out once it does.
Cameroon Brushes Aside Ecuador, 6-0
It was a good day for Africa's representatives at the Women's World Cup on Monday, as Cameroon followed Nigeria's surprise draw with Sweden with a 6-0 shellacking of Ecuador.
Gaelle Enganamouit was the star on the day, notching a hat trick, while Madeleine Ngono Mani, Christine Manie and Gabrielle Onguene also scored on the day. Enganamouit also made a bit of history, per Paul Carr of ESPN:
While things will get more difficult for Cameroon in upcoming games against Japan and Switzerland, the team started on the perfect foot in its bid to advance out of the group stage.
Sweden and Nigeria Draw 3-3 in Game of Tournament Thus Far
Take a moment to catch your breath, folks.
In a blistering, explosive, back-and-forth matchup, Sweden and Nigeria drew 3-3. For Sweden, it was a disappointing result for a team that is expected to compete for the top billing in the Group of Death that also includes the United States and Australia.
For Nigeria, the result is both a good one and perhaps a disappointing one, as the Nigerians were the underdogs coming in but arguably deserved to win, especially down the stretch. Soccer writer Leander Schaerlaeckens certainly thought so in the game's waning moments:
Alas, Nigeria didn't have quite enough in the tank to earn the victory. But even coming away with a draw took one heck of an effort, and the Nigerian coaches were certainly thrilled with the result after the game, as Amadi Thiam of World Soccer Talk humorously noted:
"NGA coaches were so excited, they forgot to shake hands with Pia. One does not simply forget to shake hands with Pia. pic.twitter.com/QRAOd9ClP0
— amadí thiam (@amadoit) June 8, 2015"
Before the match, Sweden's manager, Pia Sundhage, told Paul Saffer of UEFA.com: "With Nigeria it's hard to get hold of games and see how they play. They are very strong, physical. Physically they'll be a tough team to play. I am looking forward to these one-on-one situations—everything happens in the box."
She wasn't wrong.
But Sweden's set pieces gave it a sizable cushion in the first half, as it scored on two corner kicks. A Nigerian own goal on a deflection gave the Swedes a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, while a scramble in front of the net after another corner in the 31st ended with Nilla Fischer redirecting a wayward shot into the empty net.
But the second half belonged to the Nigerians.
Ngozi Okobi cut the lead in half in the 50th minute and then assisted on the equalizer just three minutes later, with a brilliant through ball to Asisat Oshoala, who finished her strong diagonal run and breakaway with a calm and composed finish over Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl.
The Nigerians' quick comeback impressed Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated:
And Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly Sport captured the celebrations of the Nigerian fans:
Sweden wasn't going to just bow out without a fight, however. Linda Sembrant took the lead back for the Swedes in the 60th minute, putting away Lina Nilsson's cross. AS English has more on the goal:
It appeared the Swedes were going to escape with a win despite looking visibly labored by the end of the game, using all three substitutions and regularly stretching during any breaks in the action.
But again, the Nigerians struck. This time, Okobi—easily the best player on the pitch in this one—found Francisca Ordega with another lovely through ball, and Ordega didn't disappoint.
The Nigerians attack left Kyle McCarthy of Fox Sports impressed:
Solace Chukwu of Goal.com felt that Okobi was superb, meanwhile:
The match will certainly give Nigeria belief that it can sneak its way out of the Group of Death, though games against Australia and the United States loom. Still, the Nigerians are a resilient and talented bunch, and they proved against Sweden they can strike quickly and lethally.
For the Swedes, the result is a tough way to start the tournament, especially in a game they may have thought would be the easiest matchup in the group. They'll certainly watch the contest against the United States and Australia very carefully now.
