Saturday 13 June 2015

Women's World Cup Groups 2015: Updated Standings, Tables After Saturday Matches

Groups E and F were back for their second matches in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in what turned out to be a thrilling Saturday. 

Of the four matches played, one found an equalizer in the final minutes and another turned into the largest upset in tournament history. 

Below is the updated group table and a look at Saturday's matches.

2015 Women's World Cup Group Table

 

 France vs. Colombia 2-0

Colombia provided the first upset of the tournament and the biggest upset in Women's World Cup history since rankings were instituted in 2003 with their 2-0 win over France. Colombia is ranked 28th in the world, France is third.

Lady Andrade scored the winner when she found herself at the end of a beautiful ball in the 19th minute. With her first touch, she coolly finished her chance into the back of the net for a stunning Colombian lead as ESPN Stats & Info's Paul Carr looked on.

France was lacking that final ball all afternoon. While they worked well to create entry into the Colombian half they were unable to attain that perfect chance.

Eugenie Le Sommer had a penalty shout in the 67th minute when a bouncing ball was coming up towards her head and was clearly batted out of the air intentionally by Daniela Montoya. But no call came. 

The next minute, Gaetane Thiney was sent in with a ball just ahead of her. Colombian keeper Sandra Sepulveda's sliding effort gained her possession, but she handled the ball outside the box. She was booked with a yellow and France was given a free kick at the edge of the box, but Camille Abily's free kick was straight at Sepulveda. 

With four added minutes at the end of the second half, France had a golden chance to tie it. A slow, rolling ball was met by a powerful French shot, but it somehow stayed out. 

With French numbers forward, the Colombians were able to mount a counter that was largely unopposed after a poor clearance from French keeper Sarah Bouhaddi. With three Colombians against one French defender, Catalina Usme scored a simple second for the underdogs, who pulled off the stunning upset. 

England vs. Mexico 2-1

Jill Scott delivered a perfect cut-back pass for for Fran Kirby who had a nice look from 13 yards out. Her shot was low and timid, easily saved by Cecilia Santiago.

Kirby was one of England's brightest players of the opening half as her darting runs were precise and well-timed, while her passes were dissecting the Mexico defense. England was on the ascendancy, controlling play but lacking that killer instinct. 

A 44th minute strike from Eniola Aluko hit the crossbar. Backing down a pair of Mexico defenders, Aluko's shot from 20 yards out had Santiago rooted to her spot, but the shot did not dip soon enough.

It was Kirby that put England ahead in the 71st minute as she weaved through a pair of defenders and toe-poked her shot past the keeper. The English lead was doubled 11 minutes later, in the 82nd through a header by Karen Carney.

The English effort was lauded by The Mail's Oliver Wood.

Mexico pulled on back in the second minute of stoppage time on the counter attack as Fabiola Ibarra pounced on a big rebound.

Brazil vs. Spain 1-0

Spain's midfield was playing without fear. Their attack was crisp and without the stout defending of the likes of Fabiana, Spain would have been ahead. Some of their finest chances came on the counter as a quick transition of play would create numbers in their favor. 

Brazil was having early trouble breaking down Spain's compact defense, but they found a way through in the 45th minute via Andressa Alves.

After being sent in over the top, she rolled an attempt past the onrushing Spanish keeper Ainhoa but it was saved off the line by a sliding Celia Jiminez. Alves followed the play, getting on the end of the clearance and sending it into the back of the goal.

BBC's Eoin O'Callaghan found Brazil's go-ahead goal to be a bit of a bad break for the Spanish.

Spain had a chance to equalize in the 89th minute, but a tough angle shot bounced off the post as Brazil booked their place in the knockout stage.

Costa Rica vs. South Korea 2-2

In their first-ever Women's World Cup, Costa Rica looked to build off their one point earned in their opening match against Spain. 

After 17 minutes, they were off to a dream start thanks to Melissa Herrera and looked well on their way as their play impressed Sports Illustrated Grant Wahl.

But conceding a penalty changed all that.

South Korea had their equalizer in the 21st minute by Ji Soyun from the penalty spot. Four minutes later, Costa Rica was trailing when Jeon Gaeul found the back of the net. 

Costa Rica looked flattened and out of the game. But they slowly re-built their confidence, probing their way through the South Korean defense.

They were not able to hit their stride until the final 15 minutes as they really began to force the issue. Cristin Granados was pushed in the back in the 83rd minute with no call as it just seemed to be a matter of when, not if Costa Rica was going to score.

The equalizer came with two minutes remaining in the 90 when Karla Villalobos chested down a ball brilliantly into the box and managed to convert her chance to earn Costa Rica a second point in this World Cup. 

The draw ensures that Brazil have won Group E.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2495145-womens-world-cup-groups-2015-updated-standings-tables-after-saturday-matches

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