World Football
HomeScoresTransfer RumorsUSWNTUSMNTPremier LeagueChampions LeagueLa LigaSerie ABundesligaMLSFIFA Club World Cup
Featured Video
Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢
Jun 20, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Germany forward Celia Sasic (13) controls the ball against Sweden defender Lina Nilsson (16) during the second half in the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2015 women's World Cup soccer tournament at Lansdowne Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Germany forward Celia Sasic (13) controls the ball against Sweden defender Lina Nilsson (16) during the second half in the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2015 women's World Cup soccer tournament at Lansdowne Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY SportsMatt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports

Women's World Cup 2015: Latest Round-of-16 Results and Sunday Schedule

James DudkoJun 21, 2015

China and Germany have booked their places at the quarter-final stage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The former did so by outlasting a tough Cameroon team and winning by a single goal. Meanwhile, top-ranked Germany offered an ominous reminder of their class and form by dismantling Sweden in a stunning display.

Germany strikers Anja Mittag and Celia Sasic were typically deadly, combining for three goals as part of a comprehensive 4-1 win.

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports

The full round-of 16-bracket can be seen on FIFA's official site.

Here is the schedule for Sunday's games:

DateTimeMatch
June 212 p.m. Local Time / 6 p.m. BSTBrazil vs. Australia
June 214 p.m. Local Time / 9 p.m. BSTFrance vs. Korea Republic
June 214:30 p.m. Local Time / 12:30 a.m. (Monday) BSTCanada vs. Switzerland

Germany will play the winner of France's game with Korea Republic. The outcome of Monday's clash between Colombia and the United States will determine which team faces China in the quarter-finals.

Germany Still the Class of the Tournament

There's a reason the Germans are the top-ranked squad at this tournament. They've arrived in Canada with a team as solid at the back as it is free-scoring in attack.

Goalkeeper Nadine Angerer is a dominant presence behind a savvy defence. Her miserly approach puts opposing teams in a bind because it's almost guaranteed that one of Mittag or Sasic will score at least once.

Jun 15, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Germany forward Celia Sasic (13) drives to the goal against Thailand defender Duangnapa Sritala (4) in the first half of a Group B soccer match in the 2015 FIFA women's World Cup at Winnipeg Stadium. Mandatory Credit

This ruthlessly efficient duo has grabbed 10 goals in Canada already, according to the tournament's official site. That's a frightening number considering the competition hasn't even reached the last eight.

There's true balance to this Germany squad that few other nations can match. Mittag, Sasic and Angerer are spearheading a footballing machine that looks unstoppable at the moment.

While Germany have been lighting up scoreboards, China's approach has been sparked by a stingy rearguard. Goalkeeper Wang Fei has been particularly impressive.

The 25-year-old has made 13 saves so far in Canada for a solid 81.3 per cent save rate, according to FIFA's official site. She certainly played a vital role in preserving a clean sheet in the last 16.

EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 20: Goalkeeper Wang Fei #12 of China makes a save during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada Round 16 match between China and Cameroon at Commonwealth Stadium on June 20, 2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  (Photo by Todd Korol/Getty Ima

Assistant manager Chang Wei Wei hailed the fighting spirit of China's players after the way they stubbornly refused to yield to Cameroon, per Reuters reporter Simon Evans"They were resilient and brave. They were like warriors for 90 minutes."

With two nations already through, here's who might be joining them soon:

Expect Brazil and France to Qualify

Brazil's quality and flair in forward areas will be too much for Australia. Marta is still the creative hub of the South American side, but she is amply supported by similarly gifted technicians.

Playmaker Formiga is very adept in possession. The 37-year-old rarely wastes a pass and always looks to play between the lines.

Along with Marta, Formiga set a World Cup record during her country's win over South Korea earlier in the tournament, becoming the oldest goalscorer in Women's World Cup history, per an Associated Press report (h/t the Guardian). Along with mercurial striker Cristiane, Marta and Formiga will have too much class and guile for Australia.

As a counter to the skill, Australia captain Lisa De Vanna believes her team can affect Brazil psychologically. She told Fox Sports AU's David Weiner how the South American side can be "rattled:"

"

I think if we can get on top of them really quickly, I think they’ll start to unravel. They’ve got such great individual players, if we get the better of them, some will try do it themselves. It may start a bit of arguing in the team, which we’ve seen in the past.

"

While De Vanna's scenario is certainly possible, it also reflects the kind of cynical pragmatism teams usually resort to when they know they can't match the skill of the opposition.

Such an approach may not do Australia justice. Manager Alen Stajcic's team boasts plenty of its own quality in forward areas.

Forward Kyah Simon in particular poses a major threat. She's scored twice at the tournament so far and has the pace to trouble any defence.

WINNIPEG, MB - JUNE 12:  Kyah Simon #17 of Australia scores a goal past goalkeeper Precious Dede #1 of Nigeria during the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 match between Australia and Nigeria at Winnipeg Stadium on June 12, 2015 in Winnipeg, Canada.  (Ph

Simon believes the Matildas won't vary their attacking approach because of the threat Marta and company pose, according to Sydney Morning Herald reporter Dominic Bossi.

However Australia approach this game, Brazil's legion of creative aces will craft enough chances to progress.

It will be a similar story for the French when they take on Korea Republic. The double act of wily midfield schemer Louisa Necib and precocious striker Eugenie Le Sommer will torment the Korea defence.

Le Sommer is her country's top scorer at this tournament, having found the net three times during the group stage. Her strength and quickness in and around the box will make the difference and send France through.

The bracket for the quarter-final stage will start to adopt a familiar and expected look after the latest round-of-16 games. The favoured nations will all make their marks to set up tantalising ties in the last eight.

Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports
United States v Japan - International Friendly
FIFA World Cup 2026 Venues - New York New Jersey Stadium

TRENDING ON B/R