Preview for Day 10 of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as Group F takes centre stage.
Whilst Sweden meet Italy in an all-European affair in Group G, attention will be on Group F as France meet Brazil in a huge clash between two of the tournament favourites.
Jamaica and Panama meanwhile will be looking to chase a win to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Group G – Sweden vs Italy
Knowing that victory would see either team realistically secure their spot in the knockout stages, I do expect both teams to come out fighting to avoid a tense final group-match scrap for qualification into the Round of 16.
Sweden’s biggest issue in their opening win over South Africa was their end product because they weren’t exactly clinical and struggled to create clear-cut chances upon goal, yet showed guts and spirit to come from behind to get the victory after a sloppy goalkeeping error was punished.
Italy meanwhile looked aggressive with a proper intensity to their movement and shot making although patience was key to creating their winner over Argentina, which will give them belief coming into this game if can soak up the pressure defensively and take the fight to Sweden attack wise.
With that in mind, I do feel like this game will be a close battle and unless Sweden are more polished in their finishing, I can see a solid draw here.
Prediction: Sweden 1-1 Italy
Result: Sweden 5-0 Italy
Group F – France vs Brazil
Whilst their goalless draw against Jamaica might of felt frustrating, France can take plenty of heart from their attacking intensity and movement despite lacking accuracy in their end product, although their defence looked incredibly solid throughout.
Brazil meanwhile absolutely dominated Panama in a comfortable win but their end product initially was poor, yet their intensity and press pulled them through with clinical finishing whilst Ary Borges in particular proved a nightmare to mark inside the box.
This match though feels like a must-win for France because if they lose this then Jamaica beat Panama, I do fear for their knockout qualification chances because all Jamaica would need is a draw against Brazil in their final group match to advance.
Returning to the match at hand though, France must be absolutely wary of Borges’ positioning and movement in and around the box otherwise I do fancy Brazil to edge this and put France’s fate at huge risk.
Prediction: France 1-2 Brazil
Result: France 2-1 Brazil
Group F – Panama vs Jamaica
Coming into this game off the back of a disastrous debut defeat against Brazil where nerves clearly overwhelmed several players, Panama now need to reset and treat this as like a Final if want to stand any chance of reaching the knockout stages and play with more attacking quality.
One positive from the loss to Brazil though is that their defence was fairly good aside from poor marking of all four goals, and in particular Borges who was a difficult player to mark inside the box.
Jamaica meanwhile held France to a goalless draw in an unexpected result to their credit with some excellent defending, but they now must find a way to deliver without the suspended Khadija Shaw up front which offers an opportunity for others to step up.
My gut instinct is that this game won’t be a classic or high-scoring thriller but if Panama don’t find fresh gears and tighten up defensively, I can see Jamaica just edging this somehow which could put their fate in their own hands going into their final Group F match if France lose to Brazil.
Prediction: Panama 0-1 Jamaica
Result: Panama 0-1 Jamaica
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