Women's World Cup 2015: Latest Group Results, Table and Tuesday Schedule
Favourites USA kicked off their 2015 Women's World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win against Australia on Monday, but it was far from plain sailing for Jill Ellis' side.
However, they have taken their place at the top of Group D after Nigeria claimed a remarkable 3-3 draw with Sweden. In Group C, Cameroon thrashed Ecuador while defending champions Japan edged Switzerland.
The much-fancied French start their tournament against England on Tuesday, and Brazil also get going as they clash with Korea Republic.
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Here are the full results from Monday, along with updated group standings and Tuesday's fixtures.
| Group | Fixture | Result |
| C | Cameroon vs. Ecuador | 6-0 |
| C | Japan vs. Switzerland | 1-0 |
| D | Sweden vs. Nigeria | 3-3 |
| D | USA vs. Australia | 3-1 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| Norway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| Thailand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -4 | 0 |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -10 | 0 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Cameroon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| Ecuador | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -6 | 0 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| Date | Fixture | Group | Time (ET/BST) | TV |
| Tuesday June 9 | France vs. England | F | 1 p.m./6 p.m. | FOX, BBC Two |
| Tuesday June 9 | Colombia vs. Mexico | F | 4 p.m./9 p.m. | FOX, BBC Red Button (second half) |
| Tuesday June 9 | Spain vs. Costa Rica | E | 4 p.m./9 p.m. | FOX Sports 1, BBC Connected TV |
| Tuesday June 9 | Brazil vs. Korea Republic | E | 7 p.m./12 a.m. | FOX Sports 1, BBC Red Button |
Group of Death Lives Up to Its Name
When the draw for the Canada tournament was made back in December, Group D was quite rightly picked out as the toughest pool of the lot.
Including three top 10-ranked sides and Africa's highest-placed outfit, it always looked set to throw up some intriguing results.
The USWNT were put under pressure early on in their Winnipeg encounter with Australia, with goalkeeper Hope Solo forced into two terrific saves, per former USMNT star Landon Donovan:
"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"
Megan Rapinoe broke the deadlock for the USA in the 12th minute with a deflected finish, but Lisa De Vanna swept home an equaliser 15 minutes later on her 100th appearance for the Matildas.
Christen Press added USA's second just after the hour, before Rapinoe wrapped things up with a fine solo second, but it was far from easy for the two-time winners.
In the other Group D match, world No. 5 Sweden had to settle for only a point against No. 33-ranked Nigeria after the African outfit pulled off a terrific comeback.
Having gone 2-0 down, Nigeria scored twice inside three second-half minutes to draw level, per B/R UK:
"Meanwhile at the #FIFAWWC 50 minutes: Sweden 2-0 Nigeria 53 minutes: Sweden 2-2 Nigeria #SWE #NGA pic.twitter.com/ouQsB2QmD6
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 8, 2015"
The Swedish side looked to have won it as they went into a 3-2 lead courtesy of a Linda Sembrant strike, but an 87th-minute goal from Francisca Ordega saw Nigeria claim a deserved point from an entertaining encounter.
It is clear that Group D is as high in quality as expected, and it is set to be a huge challenge for all involved.
England to Face France in Opener
Outside of the USA and Germany, France are arguably the most dangerous side at the 2015 Women's World Cup.
In Louisa Necib they have one of the most naturally gifted players in the game, and England will have to shackle the star playmaker if they are to have a chance of prevailing in Moncton.
The result of Tuesday's clash could well decide Group F—which also includes Colombia and Mexico—and England coach Mark Sampson is confident his side can perform despite previous losses to Les Bleus at the 2011 World Cup and Euro 2013, per BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan:
"France are probably ahead of us at the minute, the world rankings don't lie. When we are at our best we are at their level and we can win this match, but we haven't done it enough."
France are ranked third in the world, compared to England's sixth, and it should be a closely fought encounter.
With four of the six third-placed sides progressing to the last-16 stage in Canada, it is highly unlikely that either France or England will fall at the first hurdle.
However, with group positioning key in ensuring a potentially easier path to the latter stages, Tuesday's match could have great significance later in the competition.
