Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
March 6 – The W Gold Cup enters the semi-final stage tonight with both matches being played at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
Three of the four semi-finalists are ranked in the top 11 in the world, while Mexico, ranked 35th, beat number two ranked USA in the group stages in what was a historical result for a fast developing Mexican team.
But it is the other giant Concacaf women’s nation, Canada (world ranked 10), who will face the US. Mexico will open the evening against Brazil.
Brazil and Mexico have faced each other 17 times, Brazil leading the series with an overall record of 14W-1D-2L. The last time Mexico defeated Brazil was a 2-0 win in 2019.
Brazil have been improving throughout the tournament, and starting to find the kind of rhythm and flow to their game that this nation has so often delivered in the men’s game. Unbeaten in their group games, they dispatched Argentina with ease in the quarter finals 5-1.
Jaqueline Ovalle scored twice against the US
Midfielder Bia Zaneratto has been a standout for Brazil, scoring twice in the quarterfinals, but this is a team that can really score goals from anywhere.
Mexico, like Brazil were unbeaten in the group stage but made life difficult for themselves in beating Paraguay 3-2 in the quarterfinals, twice letting Paraguay back into the game after taking a two goal lead.
In Jacqueline Ovalle, Mexico have one of the breakthrough stars of the tournament. She has scored five goals so far, two in the quarterfinals, and has two assists.
Brazil have improved game-on-game
Goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras, who had a tournament clean sheet before facing Paraguay, made her most important contribution in the quarterfinals, saving a penalty.
Brazil will start as favourites, but the US started as favourites against Mexico and that didn’t go so well for them. One thing is for certain, with the Mexican women having caught the attention of a football passionate nation, they will have a large, vocal and…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/03/05/w-gold-cup-semis-promise-blockbuster-night-womens-football/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-03-05 12:52:37
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