Women's World Cup 2015: Day 7 Takeaways
Four more matches are in the books as Groups C and D took center stage on Day 7 of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Japan qualified for the knockout stage with a 2-1 victory over Cameroon, a match that became tense in the final minutes. Elsewhere in Group C, Switzerland routed Ecuador 10-1, which tied a record for the highest-ever combined scoreline in the Women's World Cup.
Through two matches, Japan leads Group C with six points. Cameroon and Switzerland have three points each, and Ecuador has no points.
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In Group D, the United States and Sweden played to a scoreless draw. The pre-match headlines revolved around Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who was facing her former team for the first time at the World Cup. In the other Group D match, Australia claimed a 2-0 victory over Nigeria.
Through two matches, the U.S. leads Group D with four points. Australia has three points, Sweden has two and Nigeria has one.
Here are the key takeaways from Day 7 at the Women's World Cup.
U.S. defense stands tall
The U.S. remained atop Group D following a scoreless draw with Sweden in the day's second game in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Though the result and offensive performance were perhaps not what coach Jill Ellis and her players wanted, the Americans could take heart from a superb defensive effort.
After struggling at times to contain Australia's attackers in their opening game, all four members of the U.S. defense played superbly. Meghan Klingenberg, who stands 5'2", took the headlines for a spectacular headed goal-line clearance in the second half, but center backs Becky Sauerbrunn and especially Julie Johnston were the stars.
Johnston, making just her second World Cup start, was the best American player on the night, making several key interceptions, cutting out Swedish attacks repeatedly and even contributing in the offensive third. Her pace and positioning were excellent, and her tackling was top-class.
One moment early in the second half stood out. After pushing forward as the U.S. attacked, Johnston raced back the length of the pitch to snuff out a Sweden counter. Late in the match, with the Europeans pushing for a winner, Johnston completed a vital, perfectly timed tackle near the byline to end the danger.
Issues still remain for the U.S., especially finding a way to attack without merely lumping the ball forward. But with the defense evidently sorted out, the Americans will be tough to beat.
Up next for the Americans is the group finale against Nigeria. A win would clinch top spot, but a draw or even a defeat would in all likelihood be enough to secure progress.
Through two games, the U.S. still has not played a complete 90 minutes of strong football. But there are reasons to be optimistic.
Meanwhile, Sweden's fate will come down to the last group match against a tough, quick Australia side. Nigeria caused Sweden plenty of problems with pace, and the Matildas could be able to do the same.
Japan moves on, but Cameroon is for real
Defending champion Japan became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage after holding on for a 2-1 victory over Cameroon.
Yuika Sugasawa and Aya Sameshima scored first-half goals to put Japan on course for what seemed like a comfortable win. But Cameroon caused Japan problems throughout the match with a physical approach, and the African side made the closing minutes quite interesting with Ajara Nchout's 90th-minute goal. Gaelle Enganamouit, who posed a threat for 90 solid minutes, flashed a header just wide of the post in stoppage time.
Japan now tops Group C with six points, while Cameroon is level with Switzerland on three points. Cameroon and Switzerland will play each other on the final matchday, most likely to determine second place. Japan will play Ecuador, which has already allowed 16 goals in two matches.
While Japan will almost certainly advance as the Group C winner, Cameroon demonstrated how teams can challenge the 2011 World Cup winners. By playing physical football for the full 90 minutes, the Lionesses caused Japan plenty of problems. Perhaps a tough team with just a bit more technical skill will find a way to beat Japan in the knockout stage.
Aussies stake claim to knockout place
Following a cruel 3-1 defeat to the U.S. in its first match, Australia took a different tack against Nigeria. Instead of attacking aggressively from the opening whistle, the Matildas picked their spots to push forward against Nigeria's speedy, athletic players. The approach worked, with Australia claiming a 2-0 win in the opening match in Winnipeg on Friday.
Kyah Simon scored both goals, finding the back of the net in each half. Lisa De Vanna served as the catalyst for the first, dribbling at Nigeria's defense before laying off a reverse pass for Simon on the left. From there, the 23-year-old forward produced a calm, professional finish across the goalkeeper in the 29th minute.
The second goal followed in the 68th minute, and Nigeria must feel that it was avoidable. Goalkeeper Precious Dede allowed the ball to drop in the box, giving Simon a chance to steal in and nick the ball into the net.
With the victory, Australia took a significant step toward the knockout stage. After taking three points through two games, Alen Stajcic's side will approach its final group game, against Sweden, full of confidence.
Not that the Matildas lacked any of that trait before. The opening match, during which Australia dominated the U.S. for long stretches, proved as much. But midway through the second half of that game, the players began to fade physically, giving the U.S. a crucial edge.
That didn't happen against Nigeria. Instead, after taking a 1-0 advantage into halftime, Australia extended its lead in the second half and withstood a physical onslaught from Nigeria late in the game.
As the knockout stage approaches, Australia appears a dangerous side, fully capable of playing with any opponent on any day.
For the Super Falcons, the defeat will be especially disappointing after the draw with Sweden in their opening match. That first result put the Africans on track for the knockout stages, but now Nigeria will need a strong performance against the U.S. to stay alive.
As against Sweden, Nigeria relied on speed and athleticism to attack Australia. But the Matildas proved much quicker than the Europeans, and the Super Falcons were not nearly sharp enough in midfield. Against the U.S., that will have to change.
Switzerland runs wild over Ecuador
In the early game in Group C, Switzerland bounced back from its opening loss to Japan with a 10-1 beatdown of Ecuador. Fabienne Humm recorded the fastest hat trick in Women's World Cup history, scoring in the 47th, 49th and 52nd minutes for Switzerland, which led just 2-0 at halftime. Ramona Bachmann also hit a second-half hat trick as the Swiss ran rampant against a poor Ecuador side.
Ecuador's Angie Ponce scored a unique hat trick of her own, putting into her own net twice in addition to a 64th-minute penalty.
The result will put Switzerland firmly in contention for the knockout stage. Up next is a decisive final group game against Cameroon, which beat Ecuador 6-0 in its World Cup debut.
For Ecuador, it's a second straight poor result. With two losses and a goal differential of negative-15, the South American side will almost surely finish in last place at the tournament.
Follow @MiguelCominguez
