Current form: Australia vs Italy
Australia faced some difficulties off the pitch following Alen and the hiring of Ante Milicic, and now, under their new manager, they will be looking to rebound after a downward turn in form. The Matildas started off 2019 on the right foot by picking up three straight victories to clinch the inaugural 2019 Cup of Nations, which they hosted and invited Argentina, South Korea, and New Zealand. However, things soon went awry and they now come into this match having lost all three of their pre-World Cup friendlies. That includes back-to-back losses to the Netherlands in just a span of two days earlier this month by an aggregate score of 6-1 and being on the wrong side of an eight-goal fest when the USWNT battled to a 5-3 win in April.
By contrast, Italy come into this tournament in strong form. The Azzurre have won seven of their last nine games so far since the start of 2019. They were rather unfortunate narrowly to lose the Cyprus Cup final to North Korea on penalties after earning a 3-3 draw, but rebounded from this by earning two wins and a draw from their three pre-World Cup friendlies.
How they got to the World Cup: Australia vs Italy
Australia finished as runners-up at the 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup to book their ticket to France, and the Matildas will be looking to kick off their group stage on a high note as they feature at their seventh World Cup.
Italy, meanwhile, are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1999, and secured their berth by topping their qualifying group.
Match facts and stats: Australia vs Italy
- This will be the ninth meeting between Australia and Italy
- The most recent was back in 2014, at the Cyprus Women's Cup
- Australia emerged victorious after a seven goal thriller (5-2)
- Australia are ranked 6th, while Italy are ranked 15th
- Each side has won three times, while the others ended in draws
Team news: Argentina vs Japan
Australia: Defender Laura Alleway had to withdraw from the squad due to an injury.
Italy: No new injuries for the Azzurre ahead of this match.
Where to watch Australia vs Italy on June 9, 2019
In the USA, Australia vs Italy will be shown on Fox Sports 1, NBC Sports Live Extra App, Telemundo, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo.
Fans in Australia can cheer on the Matildas via Optus Sport, SBS Live, and SBS.
Supporters based in Italy can follow the Azzurre on Sky Sport Uno, RAI Due, Sky Sport Mondiali, RAI Play, and SKY Go Italia.
Live elsewhere? Here are your options to catch Australia vs Italy:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Current form: Brazil vs Jamaica
Shockingly, Brazil come into this competition in awful form. The Canarinhas were in excellent shape in 2018 as they cruised to their seventh title in the Copa America. However, since the start of 2019, things have gone awfully wrong for the 2007 World Cup runners-up. To be precise, they haven't won a match since July 2018, and since then, have lost their last games in a row. Those negative results certainly have them lacking confidence, especially as they were defeated 1-0 by Scotland, a team who have never featured at a World Cup. Other defeats included against the USWNT, Canada, England, France, Spain, and Japan. Worryingly, all of these teams are taking part in this summer's tournament
Meanwhile, Jamaica will be featuring at their first-ever World Cup. The Reggae Girlz are one of four debutants, including Chile, South Africa, and Scotland all taking part in France this summer, and unlike Brazil, have had a better 2019 so far. They've lost just one of their last five games, which ironically, was also to Scotland, but prior to that, had drawn one and won two. Still, those successes were against Chile and South Africa, meaning that they have not really tested themselves against bigger sides in 2019; in 2018, they were easily swept aside by the USA and overpowered against Canada.
How they got to the World Cup: Brazil vs Jamaica
Brazil largely cruised through the 2018 Copa America to win all their games and pick up their seventh title without much fuss.
As for Jamaica, they secured third in the CONCACAF Women's Championship to earn their first-ever ticket to a World Cup.
Match facts and stats: Brazil vs Jamaica
- This will be the first ever meeting between Brazil and Jamaica.
Team news: Brazil vs Jamaica
Brazil: Star striker Marta is expected to miss this game due to a thigh injury sustained on May 25th.
Jamaica: Houston Dash's Kayla McCoy had to withdraw from the squad as a result of an injury.
Where to watch Brazil vs Jamaica on June 9, 2019
In the USA, Brazil vs Jamaica will be shown on Fox Sports 1, NBC Sports Live Extra App, Telemundo, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo.
Fans in Brazil can cheer on the Canarinhas via Rede Globo, Band, SporTV Play, and SporTV.
Supporters based in Jamaica can follow the debutants on Television Jamaica, SportsMax App, and SportsMax.
Live elsewhere? Here are your options to catch Brazil vs Jamaica:
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
