Women’s World Cup: Semi-final preview

Posted on July 1, 2019 in Features, Women's Football

Alasdair Hooper has all the statistics as he previews the upcoming semi finals between England v USA and Netherlands v Sweden.

England v USA (July 2, 8pm)

This is the game everyone on these shores has been eagerly anticipating with England facing holders USA in the semi-finals.

England’s 3-0 win over Norway was their best performance so far this tournament and if that is anything to go by then Phil Neville’s team are peaking at the right moment.

That quarter-final victory was the first time the Lionesses had scored three or more goals in back-to-back Women’s World Cup games, an even more impressive achievement when you consider they had never scored more than twice in a knockout tie before 2019.

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But the likelihood of them repeating that is slim with the ever-impressive Americans standing between them and reaching the World Cup final.

While the Lionesses and the US are well-matched talent wise, the experience is what undoubtedly separates them with the Americans boasting players who have been here and done it before.

The USA were in control for the most part against hosts France and, despite a late French flurry, their game management was exemplary.

Having the likes of Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe – both of whom top the goalscoring charts with five along with England’s Ellen White and Sam Kerr – is also an impressive weapon to have.

To put it bluntly Jill Ellis’ team are a group programmed to win, and nothing else.

Key player:

Lucy Bronze (England)

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The marauding Bronze – who only fills in at right-back according to her brother – will have a big part to play in this game.

The 27-year-old’s performance and strike against Norway caught the eye as she showed once again what a world class talent she is.

She became the first England player to score and assist a goal in the same World Cup game since Jill Scott against New Zealand in 2011 but for everything the full-back offers going forward, it may be what she offers defensively that helps England the most.

She will most likely go up against a certain Megan Rapinoe, which could go some way to nullifying part of the American firepower.

Megan Rapinoe (USA)

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For the USA, while you could list a host of talents, Rapinoe’s influence in the knockouts have been unquestionable.

Despite the pressure and a social media spat with The President, the 33-year-old’s two goals against France were enough to see the Americans through.

In doing so she became the first player to score two or more goals in back-to-back Women’s World Cup appearances since Marta in 2007.

It also meant that, since her World Cup debut in 2011, no player has been directly involved in more goals in the competition than Rapinoe – she is level with Carli Lloyd on seven goals and six assists.

As mentioned previously, the battle between Rapinoe and Bronze could be key to how this match plays out.

The numbers:

England

Goals scored: 11

Goals conceded: 1

Top scorer: Ellen White (5)

Most assists: Lucy Bronze (2), Beth Mead (2), Toni Duggan (2)

Shots taken: 71

Shots on target: 29

USA

Goals scored: 22

Goals conceded: 2

Top scorers: Alex Morgan (5), Megan Rapinoe (5)

Most assists: Alex Morgan (3), Megan Rapinoe (3)

Shots taken: 105

Shots on target: 45

Netherlands v Sweden (July 3, 8pm)

This is the tie that no-one would have predicted we would see at the quarter-final stage.

Sweden’s victory over bogey team Germany was one of the surprises of the tournament with Head Coach Peter Gerhardsson picking his tactics perfectly.

But the players also had to perform with each and every one of them doing so in order to stun the Germans in that quarter-final.

Now is the time to regroup and go again with the defensive unit, and goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, having to show what they are made of to stop their opponents.

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The opposition, of course, are the Dutch who managed to edge past the Italians in stifling heat.

With that 2-0 win the Netherlands qualified for their first ever World Cup semi-final.

What has been particularly impressive from the reigning European Champions, however, is their ability to pick up the tempo in the second half.

By way of an example, eight of their 10 goals scored at this tournament have been in the second half. Only the USA have scored more in the second period with 13.

Again, this is another well-matched semi-final where both teams will need to be at their very best.

Key Player:

Sherida Spitse (Netherlands)

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While it may be tempting to pick Vivianne Miedema here, Spitse has had an impressive tournament for the Dutch in midfield.

It could also be a key hint as to what might decide this game.

The midfielder has provided four assists so far in this tournament, more than any other Dutch player in Women’s World Cup history.

Each one of them has come from set-pieces, showing just how important her delivery is to this Netherlands side.

Don’t be surprised if that is their route to goal once again.

Stina Blackstenius (Sweden)

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The hero of Sweden’s quarter-final victory, Blackstenius is only the second Swedish player to score in consecutive knockout appearances at the Women’s World Cup after Lena Videkull in 1991.

While she has only scored twice at the tournament, she is bound to have confidence flowing through her veins.

Just with the Germans, her willingness to run up top will be crucial in carving out opportunities against the Dutch.

Watch this space for her counter-attacking play.

The numbers:

Netherlands

Goals scored: 10

Goals conceded: 3

Top scorer: Vivianne Miedema (3)

Most assists: Sherida Spitse (4)

Shots taken: 68

Shots on target: 24

Sweden