Women's World Cup Groups 2015: Updated Tables, Standings After Tuesday Fixtures
Groups C and D stepped up for their final matches of the group stage in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. After a wild Group A saw the hosts and China get through past a high-powered side in the Netherlands, the stage was set for an exciting last matchday.
Among those in action on Tuesday were the defending champions Japan, who were looking to be joined by the winner of Switzerland and Cameroon in Group C. Over in Group D, the United States hoped they would punch their ticket to the knockout stage against Nigeria, with Sweden and Australia nipping at their heels.
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2015 Women's World Cup Group Table
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Canada | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| China | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 7 |
| Norway | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Thailand | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -7 | 3 |
| Ivory Coast | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -13 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Japan | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Cameroon | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Ecuador | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -16 | 0 |
| GROUP D | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| United States | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Sweden | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| GROUP E | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Brazil | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| Costa Rica | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Spain | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| South Korea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| GROUP F | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Colombia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| England | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Mexico | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
Ecuador vs. Japan 0-1
They're never flashy, but they are effective. Japan completed a perfect group stage with their third win of the tournament, a 1-0 win over Ecuador.
Japan had their lead by the fifth minute, which was all they would need. After a ball came in via a free-kick, a collision between Yuika Sugasawa and Ecuadorian 'keeper Shirley Berruz popped the ball up near the far post.
Yuki Ogimi was there to roof the ball into the net—and just barely—as her shot rang off the cross bar and fell straight down behind the goal line.
Former U.S. women's national team player Julie Foudy was correct. Japan slowly took the life out of Ecuador's game, cruising to victory despite a close scoreline.
With nine points, Brazil are the only other side in this Women's World Cup with an opportunity to have a 100 percent group record.
Switzerland vs. Cameroon 1-2
Cameroon became the first African side in 16 years at the FIFA Women's World Cup to make it to the knockout stage with a 2-1 win. And they did so in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Mail's Oliver Holt was very impressed by the debutante's group-stage finale.
Switzerland's Ana Maria Crnogorcevic put her side ahead in the 25th minute as Cameroon's first-half woes continued.
But they came alive in the second half, and after two minutes, Gabrielle Onguene knotted things up for Cameroon. Left alone at the top of the box, she sent in a single-touch venomous shot at the left post.
Cameroon continued to push and found their go-ahead goal in the 62nd minute, when their all-time leading scorer, Ngono Mani, glanced a header into the far post.
Cameroon had their third goal teed up, but Vanessa Bernauer kicked Zouga Francine's shot off the line in the 70th minute.
Crnogorcevic had a chance at the equaliser in the 73rd minute, when a free-kick had her free on the far post, but the midfielder missed her volley.
Switzerland will have to wait to see if they are one of the four-best third-place teams to qualify for the knockout stage.
Nigeria vs. USA
Abby Wambach provided the winner against a side she scored her first international goal against as the United States defeated Nigeria 1-0.
A fast United States start featured plenty of American chances but yielded no goals. Julie Johnston looked to put the Americans up after eight minutes, but she was offside.
America seemed to take their foot off the gas, and their once-peppy style looked lethargic. Their play narrowed, and runs were being made unnoticed. Wambach looked slow and out of the game as Nigeria's best chances came on the counter, launching long balls and using their speed to get on the end of it.
The United States were taking corners short, not challenging Dede, who has shown that she has difficulty on set pieces.
It was right on the stroke of half-time that the U.S. awoke when Wambach got on the end of a corner and sent a leaping left-footed volley forcefully into the back of the net. Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl noted it was a huge goal for Wambach, who was struggling to find her place in this year's squad.
Alex Morgan was sent over the top in the 48th minute, outhustling her defender and delivering a chip towards Dede's goal, but the Nigerian 'keeper got a piece of it, slowing it before it could cross the line.
Dede denied Morgan again in the 63rd minute, when Ali Krieger sent a curling ball towards the forward, but Dede was able to come out quickly and block Morgan's shot.
Nigeria was reduced to 10-women when a challenge on Sydney Leroux by Sarah Nnodim gave her a second yellow card in the 70th minute.
While the U.S. did not add on to their winning total, they did come away as Group D champions, setting up a favourable travel schedule with more rest for the knockout stage.
Australia vs. Sweden
The fifth-ranked team in the world had much to worry about entering the final matchday. Having just two points after two matches, a dreadful start against Australia saw them trailing after five minutes.
A long ball straight down the center of the field found Lisa De Vanna, who was uncontested going in on goal. A simple left-footed shot found the left side of the net for the Australians. Sweden's performance bewildered NBC's Jeff Kassouf, like many watching:
Sofia Jakobsson calmed Swedish nerves 10 minutes later. Coming down the right wing, the striker cut in on her left foot, meandering her way to the top of the 18-yard box, and sent a low shot into the net on the near-post side.
Australia managed to stay with Sweden well throughout the match. Possession was even, and they did well to defend Sweden's set pieces.
With their once-high hopes on the line, Sweden could not find their way through Australia, who were throwing numbers forward searching for a winner, but it never came.
With the draw, Australia are through to the knockout stage and will play Brazil on Sunday, June 21, while Sweden are on to the third-place pool.
