Roundup of the final round of group stage fixtures across Groups A-H at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With the majority of spots in the Knockout Stages still undecided, this third and final round of group matches proved to be an epic affair with teams like Norway, Canada, USA, Brazil, Italy and Germany all at risk of shock early exits.
It therefore was fitting that there were twists and turns as the Group Stage drew to its dramatic conclusion with shock exits galore, so here is a roundup of how every group finished.
Group A
Switzerland clinched qualification as Group A winners despite being held to a goalless draw by tournament co-hosts, New Zealand.
Norway however condemned New Zealand to the unfortunate honour of becoming the first host nation at a Women’s World Cup to crash out in the Group Stage, as Sophie Haug’s hat-trick helped the Norwegians smash rock-bottom Philippines 6-0 and secure qualification as Group A runners-up.
Group B
Hayley Raso’s first-half brace coupled with goals from Mary Fowler and Steph Catley saw Australia survive a shock early exit on home soil with a 4-0 win over Canada, which ensured that the Canadians became the first reigning Olympics champion to exit the World Cup at the Group Stage.
Nigeria missed out on the chance to top the group after they were held to a goalless draw by Republic of Ireland, which meant that Australia advanced as Group B winners and the Nigerians finished as runners-up ahead of Canada and Ireland.
Group C
Hinata Miyazawa’s brace plus goals from Riko Ueki and Mina Tanaka saw Japan smash Spain on the counter-attack to top Group C.
Barbra Banda netted the 1000th goal of the Women’s World Cup as South Africa finished their campaign in third place in this group with a 3-1 win against Costa Rica, with Lushomo Mweemba and Racheal Kundananji also finding the net whilst Melissa Herrera netted for the Central Americans.
Group D
Lauren James’ brace and hat-trick of assists helped England comfortably demolish China 6-1 to top Group D, despite conceding a controversial penalty after Lucy Bronze was adjudged to had handballed early in the second-half.
Pernille Harder’s 21st minute penalty and Sanne Troelsgaard’s injury-time strike saw Denmark edge past rock-bottom Haiti to sneak through to the knockouts as the group’s runner-up.
Group E
Esmee Brugts and Jill Roord both scored twice as Netherlands thrashed already-eliminated Vietnam 7-0 to top Group E, with Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeijs and Danielle van de Donk also on the scoresheet.
USA narrowly avoided a shock exit as the Americans battled to a goalless draw against Portugal, although Ana Capeta’s late strike struck the right post for the Portuguese in heartbreaking fashion to end their campaign.
Group F
Kadi Diani netted a hat-trick as France fought back to top Group F with a 6-3 victory over Panama in a dramatic thriller, in which Marta Cox’s stunning long-range free-kick had put the rock-bottom Central Americans in front after just two minutes.
Jamaica scraped through as runners-up after holding Brazil to a shock goalless draw, which in-turn eliminated the Brazilians and denied Marta a fairytale ending at her sixth and final World Cup.
Group G
Second-half goals from Rebecka Blomqvist and Elin Rubensson saw Sweden comfortably defeat Argentina 2-0 to top Group G, which in-turn meant that the Argentineans finished bottom of the group.
Thembi Kgatlana’s close-range winner in injury-time saw South Africa stun Italy 3-2 to advance as runners-up, having initially come from behind to lead in-between Arianna Caruso’s brace for the Italians.
Group H
Anissa Lahmari’s rebound strike from a saved penalty in first-half injury-time saw Morocco snatch a shock winner over Colombia to secure a spot in the knockouts, although the Colombians advance as Group H winners ahead of the Morocccans on goal difference.
Alexandra Popp’s header cancelled out Cho So-hyn’s shock opener as two-time champions – Germany battled back to hold South Korea to a 1-1 draw, which saw both teams eliminated after finishing third and fourth in the group respectively.
Spicy Knockouts Await
With the Group Stage now over, the Round of 16 comemnces on Saturday 5 August, as Switzerland face Spain in an all European tie, before two former champions collide as Japan meet Norway later that day.
Netherlands’ reward for topping Group E is an exciting tie against South Africa on Sunday 6 August before two title favourites collide, as Sweden face reigning champions – USA in a spicy encounter.
England will take on Nigeria whilst hosts, Australia face Denmark on Monday 7 August, as the winners and runners-up of Groups D and B respectively meet.
The Round of 16 will conclude on Tuesday 8 August starting with an intriguing encounter as Colombia take on Jamaica, before France look to avoid a shock exit against tournament debutants, Morocco.
| Date | Match | Time (BST) |
| Saturday 5 August | Switzerland v Spain | 6am |
| Saturday 5 August | Japan v Norway | 9am |
| Sunday 6 August | Netherlands v South Africa | 3am |
| Sunday 6 August | Sweden v USA | 10am |
| Monday 7 August | England v Nigeria | 8:30am |
| Monday 7 August | Australia v Denmark | 11:30am |
| Tuesday 8 August | Colombia v Jamaica | 9am |
| Tuesday 8 August | France v Morocco | 12pm |
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