With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup underway, day two sees title contenders – Spain feature amongst three matches.
With Groups A and B already underway with one match apiece played on the opening day, day two sees Philippines, Switzerland, Nigeria and Canada begin their campaigns in those groups respectively.
Group C meanwhile will get their World Cup underway as Spain meet Costa Rica in their first match of the tournament, with the Spanish considered as one of the hot title contenders.
Now, here is a preview and prediction for all three matches on day two at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Group B – Nigeria vs Canada
With Australia widely expected to take one of the knockout qualification spots in Group B, this clash is huge for both teams because Canada will be expected to establish their own credentials with a win, having previously won the 2020 Olympics.
Nigeria though have proven a tough team to beat since the turn of the year with just three conceded goals and six goals scored in six matches, so they will need to be at their defensive best to stand any chance at snatching victory here.
Canada meanwhile are lacking confidence coming into this tournament with just one win in their last six matches and some bruising defeats against USA, Japan and France, whilst a goalless draw against England won’t have done much for their morale.
This game though offers a chance for the Canadians to reset when it matters most and given their quality with players like Jessie Fleming and Cloe Lacasse, I do see them getting the win because a Group Stage exit would be a huge disappointment so victory is imperative here to live morale heading into two tough games.
Prediction: Nigeria 0-2 Canada
Result: Nigeria 0-0 Canada
Group A – Philippines vs Switzerland
Despite not being considered as potential contenders for a knockout spot, Philippines do seem well-prepared coming into the tournament with ten games under their belt which should stand them well, yet they have struggled against top teams like Wales, Scotland, Iceland and Sweden compared to teams like Tajikistan and Vietnam.
Switzerland therefore should come into this game full of belief that they can put themselves in the mix for a knockout spot, heading into a potential top-spot decider against Norway in their next group match.
The Swiss also boasts top talent like Lia Walti, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic and Alisha Lehmann and if they bring their best performance, I can see this game being fairly one-sided with a clear winner.
Prediction: Philippines 0-4 Switzerland
Result: Philippines 0-2 Switzerland
Group C – Spain vs Costa Rica
Now this group does give me some vibes of last year’s Men’s World Cup when Spain met Costa Rica in their opening group match and hammered their Central American opposition, although this isn’t the first time that both teams have met in their opening group game at the Women’s edition – having drawn 1-1 in Montreal, Canada in 2015.
That particular meeting proved ominous as both teams failed to qualify for the knockouts, yet Spain are now one of the hot favourites this time round with a dangerous team containing players like Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso, who are amongst the best talent in the world.
Spain also have conceded just four goals across two of eight matches so far in 2023 and comfortably hammered Vietnam in a warm-up friendly, underling the task that awaits Costa Rica who have won just twice in the last year alone so need a huge defensive effort to stand even any chance of a point here.
Costa Rica however do have discipline and unity within their playing style which needs to be absolutely pitch-perfect in terms of defence, whilst Raquel Rodriguez will need to be clinical in turning midfield play into clinical attacks if they’re to get a result.
I however can’t see Spain losing this if they bring their best football amidst recent off-pitch dramas in the last 12 months, which saw some senior players rule themselves out of selection due to unhappiness with manager – Jorge Vilda.
Prediction: Spain 3-0 Costa Rica
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