Women's World Cup 2015: Latest Bracket Results and Updated Tournament Schedule
All eight Women's World Cup quarterfinal bids are locked down after Japan secured the final spot Tuesday.
Closing out the round of 16, the defending champions advanced with a 2-1 victory. With a wild batch of knockout fixtures in the books, the nation's top contenders will continue to clash for the crown in Canada.
After a brief hiatus, play resumes Friday. Among the pair of matchups kicking off the quarterfinals, the United States will look to boot China, an unlikely competitor given its No. 16 world ranking. Although they enter as the favorites, the Americans will go into Ottawa short-handed.
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Here's a look at the round-of-16 results and the upcoming quarterfinals schedule.
| China PR | 1-0 | Cameroon |
| Germany | 4-1 | Sweden |
| Brazil | 0-1 | Australia |
| France | 3-0 | Korea Republic |
| Canada | 1-0 | Switzerland |
| Norway | 1-2 | England |
| United States | 2-0 | Colombia |
| Japan | 2-1 | Netherlands |
| Friday, June 26 | Germany vs. France | 4 p.m. | Fox |
| Friday, June 26 | China vs. United States | 7:30 p.m. | Fox |
| Saturday, June 27 | Australia vs. Japan | 4 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
| Saturday, June 27 | Canada vs. England | 7:30 p.m. | Fox Sports 1 |
Quarterfinal Preview: United States vs. China
The United States should be riding high after a 2-0 victory over Colombia. Alex Morgan scored one of the squad's two second-half goals, the first of her injury-plagued tournament. But the Americans must face China without Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday, who both received yellow cards Monday.
Captain Abby Wambach suggested, per espnW.com's Graham Hays, that the official unfairly targeted both infielders due to previous penalties.
"I don't know if they were yellows," Wambach said. "It seemed like she was purposefully giving those yellows to maybe players that she knew were sitting on yellows. I don't know if that was just a psychological thing, who knows. Who knows."
Regardless of the reason, the U.S. women's national team must replace both attackers, who contributed to five of the team's six World Cup goals. Rapinoe, the offense's brightest spot in a shaky tournament, will especially be missed along the right wing.
Rapinoe pegged 26-year-old Christen Press as her likely fill-in, per Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl.
"Probably Press," Rapinoe said when asked who she thought would replace her. "It's kind of a straight swap. She did well tonight and can be so dangerous. She’s quick, she’s very smart, really good around the box. I think she’ll probably step into that role."
Press, who has tallied one goal in three matches, must find a way to replicate Rapinoe's energy and creativity on the pitch, which is no easy task. It'll prove more manageable if Morgan's knee continues to improve, though.
After initially subbing due to the ailment, the star forward made her second start of the World Cup against Colombia, finally finding the net to spark the U.S. attack. She discussed her gradual progress, courtesy of espnW.com's Jeff Carlisle.
"I feel better and better each game," she said. "I'm seeing my speed, my change of direction, my shot coming back. It feels good and hopefully in the next games it will feel great."
Although losing Rapinoe and Holiday hurts, the Americans may have avoided doom by receiving a favorable opponent. China has somehow survived despite generating four scores through as many matches, earning both of their victories in 1-0 fashion.
ESPN Stats & Info tabs Team USA as a monumental favorite:
But anything can happen in a likely low-scoring fixture. The U.S. wasn't its crispest for the majority of Monday's matchup, as it needed a late rally and a one-player advantage to fend off No. 28-ranked Colombia. A semifinals appearance is far from secure.
