Women's World Cup Schedule 2015: Live Stream and TV Times for Sunday's Bracket
After Saturday’s matches whetted the appetite for knockout football, Sunday sees a trio of tantalising clashes to take in from the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
We’re getting increasingly close to the business end of the competition now, and as was evident during impressive last-16 wins for both Germany and China, these high-pressure encounters bring out the very best in the top sides. Encouragingly for viewers, some of the favourites for glory will take to the field on Sunday.
Here’s a rundown of the fixtures to come and a closer examination of two of the day’s standout encounters:
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
| Brazil vs. Australia | 1 p.m. | 1-0 |
| France vs. Korea Republic | 4 p.m. | 3-1 |
| Canada vs. Switzerland | 7:30 p.m. | 1-0 |
Matches are live on BBC Red Button (UK) and Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)
Matches can be streamed via BBC iPlayer (UK) and Fox Sports Go (U.S.)
Brazil vs. Australia
After winning all three of their group games without conceding a goal, there should be a wave of momentum behind this Brazil team ahead of their clash with Australia. However, there are still supporters expecting much more from this talented group of players.
Oswaldo Vadao saw his side play with functionality rather than patented Brazilian fluidity in early rounds of the competition. But wins against Korea Republic and Spain allowed the coach to rest some key players for their final group game against Costa Rica. That means the effervescent Marta and evergreen Formiga should be replenished for the knockout stages.
As we can see here, courtesy of Selecao Brasileira, Marta in particular was turning on the style in the opening matches:
"VINE - Marta vs Spain. https://t.co/jVWPATaC1e
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) June 15, 2015"
Australia will be obdurate opposition. The Matildas made an almighty fist of things in their opening match against United States, and despite losing that game, they did brilliantly to progress from what was undeniably the most competitive group at the World Cup in second place.
At this stage of the competition, they’ll be playing without pressure. As noted by Socceroos star James Holland, the players have already done their country proud:
Australia certainly have the attributes to cause Brazil problems. Going forward, the Selecao haven’t quite found a rhythm yet and the Aussies’ diligent playing style will shut off spaces for Brazil’s talented players to operate within.
But if Brazil can stave off some early Australia pressure—the Matildas have been quick out of the blocks in all their matches so far—their superior quality will show through. It won’t be plain sailing, but expect the South Americans to edge past their battle-hardened opponents and into the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Brazil 1-0 Australia
Canada vs. Switzerland
Tournament hosts Canada will be hoping to spark their campaign back into life in Vancouver on Sunday evening, as they face Switzerland at what should be a rocking BC Place.
After getting off to the perfect start with a last-minute win over China, Canada have been unable to push on. John Herdman’s team drew their next two matches, and while the hosts go into this one unbeaten in the tournament so far, more was expected from them than ties against New Zealand and the Netherlands.
If Canada are to make it into the latter stages of this competition, it’s likely to be down to their mean defence. Brazil aside, they have the best defensive record in the competition. In 19-year-old Kadeisha Buchanan, they also have one of the tournament’s finest young players, as noted here by Womens Football Comp:
They should be confident against a Swiss side that lost two of its group games. However, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side's 10-1 destruction of Ecuador showed that when they do turn on the style, they have the attacking quality to trouble most sides in the tournament.
As noted by SportsCenter, even if the South Americans weren’t quite up to scratch, scoring that many goals is a feat that’s only been achieved twice before at this level:
Ramona Bachmann is a player the hosts must be wary of in this one, as she possesses the predatory instincts to turn a tight game. But with a Vancouver crowd backing them to the hilt, expect a much-improved Canada performance.
As is so often the case in games at this stage of a World Cup, it’ll be a tight encounter with neither side willing to give an inch. The hosts have a little more steeliness at the back, and although the Swiss boast an edge in terms of attacking talent, defence will win the day and propel the hosts into the last eight.
Prediction: Canada 1-0 Switzerland
