And then there were eight. On Thursday, the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup gets underway. With the USWNT, the reigning champions, shockingly eliminated early, there are eight other teams who will have a chance to win the coveted title.
They are: Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Australia, France, England, and Colombia. Here's all you need to know ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-finals.
Spain vs Netherlands: Two highly attacking sides go toe to toe
DID YOU KNOW: Both Spain and the Netherlands are making their respective third appearances at the Women's World Cup. Spain are also the team with the most players who have scored at least three goals (three).
The first of the four games will see Spain taking on the Netherlands in a game that many expect to be a wide open affair. Both teams have been quite impressive in attack, with Spain netting 13 times so far, while the Netherlands have scored 11. In addition, both La Roja and the Oranje have several players who have scored at least three goals, with Aitana Bonmatí, Jennifer Hermoso, and Alba Redondo all having scored three for Jorge Vilda's team at this competition, while Jill Roord leads the way with four goals for the Netherlands.
But while both Spain and the Netherlands have dazzled fans with some high-scoring matches, the Netherlands do boast an added edge - their defense. So far, the Oranje have conceded just one goal, which was during their 1-1 draw against the USWNT. By contrast, La Roja have conceded five, with four of those coming during their shock 4-0 defeat to Japan on matchday three.
In short, it will be interesting to see how Spain's defense copes with the Netherlands' attack, which has proven to be quite efficient despite the long-term absence of all-time top goalscorer Vivianne Miedema.
Here's how you can catch Spain vs the Netherlands, which kicks off at 9 pm EST on Thursday, August 10th:
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
Japan vs Sweden: Fearsome attacking unit versus Sweden's brilliant shot-stopper
DID YOU KNOW: Zecira Musovic's 11 saves made against the USWNT is the most ever for a Swedish goalkeeper at a Women's World Cup.
Japan, who are the first and only Asian nation to have won a World Cup, have been quietly going about their business as they've progressed to the quarter-finals. Much of the focus has been on other sides, namely the USWNT as they sought to make it a three-peat, and for Japan, that has suited them just fine. The team have scored a whopping 16 goals already, with 11 of those coming in the group stages as they cruised to 5-0, 2-0, and 4-0 wins over Zambia, Costa Rica, and Spain respectively.
Although Japan's defense was finally breached in the round of 16, they nonetheless did enough to hand Norway a 3-1 defeat and set up an intriguing showdown against Sweden in the quarter-finals. Hinata Miyazawa has netted five goals for her team so far, but could face a fierce opponent in Sweden's shot-stopper Zecira Musovic.
Musovic was absolutely dynamic for her team to keep Sweden afloat against the USWNT, who made 22 attempts on goal versus Sweden's nine. During a tense contest that eventually went to penalties, she made 11 saves, which is the most ever for a Swedish goalkeeper at a Women's World Cup (the previous record was seven).
Will Japan's fearsome attacking unit be halted by Sweden's one woman show? Here's how you can catch Japan vs Sweden, which kicks off at 3.30 AM EST on Friday, August 11th:
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
Australia vs France: Both teams looking to enter unchartered territory
DID YOU KNOW: France's boss Herve Renard is the first coach to win games at both the men's and women's World Cups. The experienced tactician achieved this milestone thanks to Saudi Arabia's stunning 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup and France's 2-1 victory over Brazil at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
Although New Zealand were dumped out in the group stages, co-hosts Australia remain afloat as the Matildas look to make it to the semi-finals for the first time in history. They'll receive a huge boost as Sam Kerr was able to come off the bench during their 2-0 win over Denmark and the Chelsea ace is expected to feature in the starting XI for this crunch clash. Kerr's absence has allowed others to shine, with Real Madrid's Hayley Raso currently being the most prolific attacker for the Matildas with three goals so far.
Meanwhile France, who cruised to a 4-0 win over Morocco, will also be looking to make it to the semi-finals for the first time. Les Bleues have had a very interesting competition so far, starting out with a shock scoreless draw against Jamaica on matchday one before overpowering Panama in a nine goal thriller (6-3) on matchday three to finish their group stage campaign as winners of Group F. Veteran striker Eugénie Le Sommer, who has scored more goals than any other French player, has three goals to her name and will certainly look to add more to her tally in this upcoming game.
Here's how you can catch Australia vs France, which kicks off at 3.00 AM EST on Saturday, August 12th:
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
England vs Colombia: The champions vs the underdogs
DID YOU KNOW: Lauren James has been involved in 75 per cent (six out of eight) of her team's goals so far at this competition - more than any other player not just for England, but also in the competition.
Fresh off their historic Women's EURO triumph in 2022, England are now looking to add another trophy to their collection. The Lionesses have had their ups and downs in this competition, but are at this stage after surviving a tough battle against Nigeria that forced them to play with a player short after key striker Lauren James was sent off. Fortunately for the EURO winners, they were able to hold off the Super Falcons in a scoreless match that went to penalties.
James's absence will be huge for England, as she's not only the team's highest goal-scorer with three goals, but also has chipped in with three assists, meaning that the Chelsea star has been directly involved in six of her team's eight goals so far.
As for Colombia, their run to this juncture has been nothing short of impressive. Placed in a group with Germany, Morocco, and South Korea, most pundits expected the South American nation to battle Morocco and South Korea for second while Germany were anticipated to cruise through without much fuss. In one of the most surprising outcomes of this competition, it was Colombia and debutants Morocco to qualify for the round of 16, with an already-eliminated South Korea helping both teams by holding Germany to a 1-1 draw, thus dumping the world's number two side out of the competition.
Teenage striker Linda Caicedo has received plenty of plaudits for her performances at this summer's competition, and the Real Madrid's two goals make her the top goal-scorer for her squad so far. She'll be hoping to have another major impact as her team by far are the underdogs in their upcoming showdown with EURO winners England.
Here's how you can catch England vs Colombia, which kicks off at 6.30 AM EST on Saturday, August 12th:
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
