5IVE: World Cup, Day 14
Another day of shocks as Brazil and Italy bow out and South Africa and Jamaica qualify for the second round as the World Cup approaches the end of the group stage...
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Sweden through with ease, but Gerhardsson makes an interesting move
With Sweden enjoying the rare luxury of being basically guaranteed top spot in Group G after just two games, head coach Peter Gerhardsson took the opportunity to ring the changes against Argentina. Nine of them, in fact.
It wasn't pretty, but they got the job done and sealed top spot with nine points out of nine, with double world champions USA up next.
Perhaps that was Gerhardsson's main thinking. Nobody was in danger of a suspension, so it can only have been to rest legs as the likes of Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö, Kosovare Asllani and co started on the bench.
But Sweden haven't looked like a team that has quite clicked into gear just yet, from open play at least, and you can't help but feel this would have been a great opportunity with little pressure to have an extra 90 minutes for his starting eleven to get well drilled ahead of the USA match.
Who knows, fresher legs may win out, and it's certainly one of the more intriguing second round ties, and perhaps USA's pace in transition may catch out a defence which did look to struggle against the pace and skill of South Africa in their opening match.
There were some bright sparks for Sweden, with Everton's Hanna Bennison in particular putting in a good performance, dictating play from midfield throughout, while Rebecka Blomqvist got her second goal of the tournament before Elin Rubensson added a late penalty.
Perhaps not at their best just yet, but only the second team through with a 100% record.
A historic moment for South Africa
I went on a journey while deciding what I was going to write about South Africa today. From lamenting their inability to hold onto a lead for a third successive game, to talking about how harsh it would have felt for them to go home as the only African side not to win a game at this World Cup, to now lauding what was another brave, exciting and in the end an outcome which they deserved.
It's an incredible achievement for so many reasons for Banyana Banyana to be through to the next round. Rememebr, these players didn't even play their send-off match because of a dispute with their own federation over both facilities and bonuses, yet they've got out of a group against Sweden, Italy and Argentina.
I said a few days ago they could rue not getting anything from their first two games, particularly drawing 2-2 against Argentina from 2-0 up, and they almost did, but what resolve they showed against Italy after throwing away the lead twice.
This is a nation bidding for the 2027 World Cup and this can't do their chances any harm, such is the way they have captured the hearts of the world. They didn't give up, they showed no fear, and ironically despite not being at their best in the first half an hour, they got the slice of luck they probably deserved when Benedetta Orsi bizzarrely put the ball through her own net to offer a lifeline which didn't seem likely.
But there were some interesting tactical tweaks from Desiree Ellis too. With Refiloe Jane injured, Ellis moved centre-back Bongeka Gamede into the midfield where she continued her excellent tournament. 37-year-old Noko Matlou came in at the back and used her experience to good effect, with they were a constant threat in attack through all four of Motlhalo, Magaia, Kgatlana and Seoposenwe.
The scenes at full-time were joyous, and it's 2019 finalists Netherlands up next and Banyana Banyana have shown zero signs that they will be in anyway flustered by the opportunity.
Italy once again fall at the group stage
As for Italy, what can you say? Once again, just a lot less than the sum of their parts and more questions for Milena Bertolini.
Arguably, this one wasn't necessarily on the head coach, after Orsi's own goal undid what was actually a good half an hour from Italy which saw them well on top and in control of second place in the group.
But for a nation known for admiring a defensively solid approach, Italy conceded eight goals in their last two games, which is rarely ever going to be enough to get you out of the group.
They created plenty of chances and Bertolini will certainly rue the huge chance her captain Cristiani Girelli had to seal the match and qualification just minutes before Hildah Magaia's stoppage time winner, but it sort of summed Italy's tournament up.
Both the squad and Bertolini couldn't really afford this, not off the back of an equally disappointing Euro 2022. That's two tournaments in 12 months the Azzurri has crashed out at the group stage and quite frankly for a nation which has the players Italy does, that's not acceptable.
They definitely had opportunities around the box, more than their opponents, but they couldn't deal with South Africa at the back, and there needs to be some major thinking within the FIGC about how they turn things around with two years now until the next major tournament.
Brazil bow out
Well, who saw that coming?! I didn't. I mentioned last time out perhaps we got taken in by Brazil's dominant opening game win against what turned out to be a very leaky Panama defence, but the way they just didn't get going against Jamaica and looked nervous and panicked was alarming.
To caveat their elimination, I did say in the build-up maybe this would be a tournament too soon for what is a very talented, but also inexperienced, Brazil side. That appeared to show against Jamaica, who you take nothing away from, but under the guidance of Pia Sundhage, they will be shocked and gutted they haven't progressed.
Nothing seemed to work. They managed 17 shots, eight of them on target, and will lament a superb performance in goal by Becky Spencer, but their attack simply didn't fire in this tournament. Ary Borges, the hero of their first game, was subbed at half-time. Bia Zaneratto didn't start either of their final two games while neither Geyse or Marta had any real impact.
Brazil, despite their reputation, is another nation struggling to get the consistent support they require from their federation, albeit it's nowhere near as bad as others. But it's no coincidence those struggling behind the scenes such as Brazil and Canada have faded, but hopefully it is still just the start for this exciting side.
For whatever the reason, their structured 4-4-2 didn't really have the desired effect Pia Sundhage would have been hoping for, but there's no doubt in my mind this Brazil team can be something special with the right support come 2027.
The fact their captain Tamires came out immediately after the game and said she was scared for what this would mean for the future of women's football in Brazil says it all.
Jamaica through and look solid as a rock
As for Jamaica, what an achievement. This is a nation who had to start a GoFund Me to get to the World Cup, and they have gone through and not conceded a single goal in the group stage, against teams such as France and Brazil.
The more you say that, the crazier it gets.
They rode their luck, and have Spencer to thank for a superb display in goal, but this was a huge team effort. Allyson Swaby had some hairy moments in the first half, but was immense in the second, as again the whole Jamaica back line.
Khadija Shaw played her role spot on up front and became a one-woman transitional unit at one point, such is her quality on the ball, albeit she'll lament a great chance to win the game late on.
There has been some fantastic stories at this tournament so far, but this might just be the best yet.