Preview for day 14 of 2023 FIFA World Cup which sees Groups F and G draw to a close, with knockout qualification still firmly in the balance.
Although Panama are already eliminated, Group F is wide because France and Jamaica will both advance if they avoid defeat whilst Brazil must beat Jamaica in order to avoid a shock early exit and hope France fall to Panama if want to advance as group winners.
Sweden meanwhile are already through and at least a point will guarantee their progress as Group G winners, whilst Italy will advance with a win over South Africa who must beat the Italians and hope Argentina lose elsewhere to snatch a knockout spot.
Group G – Argentina vs Sweden
With everything to do in order to stand any chance of advancing if Italy slip up elsewhere and need to better South Africa’s result, Argentina must come out and play with the same high intensity which saw them snatch a draw from two goals down against South Africa in a second-half comeback.
Sweden meanwhile clinically dismantled Italy with ruthless transitioning from defence into attack to devastating effect, which means that this is pretty much a dead rubber due to their superior goal difference so it will be interesting to see how they approach this tactically.
All the pressure though will be upon Argentina but I expect Sweden to come out and get another routine win unless Peter Gerhardsson opts to rotate his squad, which might just be what Argentina need if they’re to try and advance but the first goal could well be key.
Prediction: Argentina 0-2 Sweden
Result: Argentina 0-2 Sweden
Group G – South Africa vs Italy
Despite being forced to settle for a draw against Argentina from two goals up, South Africa can take heart from how fearless and aggressive they were in their attacking play, but they will need to take their chances more clinically if want to avoid another early exit.
Italy meanwhile have a huge task on their hands after a demoralising defensive dismantling against Sweden, so it is imperative that they regroup quickly and play on the front foot like they did against Argentina and much of the first half against the Swedes.
Milena Bertolini’s Le Azzurre though do have the advantage of needing a point to advance should Argentina lose elsewhere, otherwise they could well need to win due to their inferior goal difference so the Italian crowd will have to play their part to motivate the team no matter what.
Prediction: South Africa 1-2 Italy
Result: South Africa 3-2 Italy
Group F – Jamaica vs Brazil
With a knockout spot at stake, this Americas derby promises to be a cracker because Jamaica have a first knockout appearance in their own hands, with a draw or win seeing them through whilst defeat would hand Brazil a free pass and mean relying on France losing heavily to Panama.
Jamaica though will have to be more clinical than they were against Panama despite scraping the win amidst some dodgy refereeing decisions, but will be buoyed by the return of Khadija Shaw from suspension whilst their defence is robustly difficult to break down.
Brazil meanwhile have to reset and show more of the cohestive front-footed aggressive attack which blew Panama apart in their opening match, because they were unexpectedly sluggish and struggled to contain an energetic French team whose aerial ability proved difficult for the defence to mark.
Pia Sundhage’s Selecao though will need to be patient yet creative if want to break down Jamaica’s stubborn defence, but I seriously think that they must score first otherwise Jamaica might just do enough to cause a shock.
Prediction: Jamaica 1-1 Brazil
Result: Jamaica 0-0 Brazil
Group F – Panama vs France
Now that there is nothing to play for in terms of qualification, Panama can afford to relax and show more of the attacking intensity which they displayed late on against Jamaica, although their defence must be solid if want any sort of chance at avoiding defeat.
France meanwhile know that a win could see them top the group after delivering a clinical aggressive performance to beat Brazil, which was a huge improvement on their sloppy opening draw against Jamaica so I do expect them to be just as good if not better given Panama’s weaker quality.
Herve Renard’s Les Bleues though know that a shock loss could leave them at risk if Jamaica and Brazil draw or they suffer a heavier loss than the Reggae Girlz, but I don’t see them facing any late tensions here if they can build upon their last performance.
Prediction: Panama 0-3 France
Result: Panama 3-6 France