Full Time in the Waikato Stadium where Sweden have beaten Argentina 2-0 in the final group game in group G to keep up their perfect record.

Sweden finish as Group G winners, and as such will play the United States on Sunday morning, whilst Argentina have crashed out of the tournament at the group stages yet again. The South Americans produced moments of excellence throughout this game, but ultimately did not have enough to cause Sweden any serious issues.

The opening exchanges of this game were tight and tense, neither side able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Sweden came into this match having made nine changes to their starting line-up, with the centre-back pairing of Amanda Ilestedt and Magdalena Eriksson the only survivors from Saturday’s 5-0 win against Italy. Ilestedt, having scored two headers that day, would prove her danger from set pieces yet again in this game.

The permutations for Argentina heading into this match were as such; Argentina needed to win to even have a chance at qualifying for the Round of 16, and even still they had to rely on Italy dropping points. If Italy were to win against South Africa, Argentina could not qualify. If Italy drew with South Africa and Argentina won, Argentina would progress of Goal Difference. If South Africa and Argentina were to win, it would again come down to goal difference.

It was set to be a monumental task for Argentina, facing the 2019 Semi-Finalists who had found their form just days prior, but the South Americans were unphased as they headed into today’s match. Argentina survived a flurry of Swedish corners midway through the first half, goalkeeper Vanina Correa and her defence able to clear the ball from danger. Having scored three of their five goals against Italy from corners, Sweden would look to use the set piece as a weapon, dangerous crosses looking for the head of Amanda Ilestedt. Argentina had clearly picked up on this danger in their pre-match analysis and did well to limit any serious chances from Swedish set pieces.

Sweden would come closest to breaking the deadlock in the 29^th minute, after Olivia Schough came close with a headed effort, only for her attempt to drift wide of the target. Making a dangerous run down her right wing, Sofia Jakobsson was able to get the better of Eliana Stabile and cross a dangerous ball into the Argentinian box. Schough found herself in acres of space for the header, but was unable to direct her effort on target. Argentina could breathe a sigh of relief.

The remainder of the first half would be a tetchy affair, neither side creating any clear-cut chances. Tensions between the two sides were certainly raised in the opening 45 minutes, both sides picking up a yellow card.

Distressing scenes also in the 38^th minute, as Argentina’s Florencia Bonsegundo hit the deck following an awkward landing and a jarring placement of her leg on the pitch. Bonsegundo looked to have damaged her right knee badly, as she lay in pain on the ground. With tears in her eyes, the stretcher was called to the pitch and the winger taken off in it. We can only hope it’s not another ACL injury.

For much of the second half, it was a tight contest that lacked any real quality. That all changed in the 67^th minute when Hanna Bennison picked up the ball just inside the Argentinean half; the midfielder produced an excellent run through the heart of the Argentinian defence before releasing Sofia Jakobbson down the right wing. Jakobbson took one touch to set herself, before producing a wonderful cross into the box, where it was met at the back post by a bullet header from Rebecka Blomqvist. The striker’s header rattled the net, her effort sailing past Correa before she even knew about it. The goal was a real moment of quality from Sweden, who looked far from their usual best for much of this game.

The goal made the mountain that much harder for Argentina to climb, now needing to score two goals. The South Americans failed to create any serious chances on the Swedish goal and were unable to cause any real problems for the inexperienced Jennifer Falk.

Sweden would add to their tally on the night in the 90^th minute from the penalty spot. Following a dangerous cross from Elin Rubensson, Rebecka Blomqvist was dragged down inside the penalty area by Gabriela Chavez right in front of the referee. A penalty was awarded, and there could be no complaints from the defender, who pulled down her opponent blatantly. Rubensson, who played in the dangerous cross, stepped up to take the penalty, calmly powering it into the top left corner, leaving Correa in the Argentinian net with no hope.

Despite their best efforts late on in this game, Argentina succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sweden, who march on to the last 16 as Group G winners. Argentina bow out at the Group Stages again, but they have produced some wonderful moments during this year’s tournament, most noticeably their comeback against South Africa last Friday.

Full Time in Waikato Stadium, Argentina 0-2 Sweden

History was made in Hamilton when Zambia won their first game in their first World Cup appearance. Lushomo Mweemba put them ahead in the third minute with an excellent goal. It was their first goal scored in a World Cup.

In the 31st minute Barbra Banda scored from the penalty spot. The goal was the 1000th goal scored in the World Cup. Costa Rica pulled a goal back in the 47th minute through Melissa Herrera. It was their first goal of this year’s World Cup. They tried hard to get an equaliser but couldn’t get that second goal.

Right at the end Racheal Kundananji got a third goal for Zambia.

Just three minutes had gone on the clock when Zambia broke the deadlock. A corner was swung in by Avell Chitundu and Mweemba finished to the net with a stunning strike.

Zambia then took control of the game with Barbra Banda a real threat. Although Zambia got into good positions they failed to create anything of note. That was until the half hour mark when Banda got into the box and was fouled by Katherine Alvarado. 

Banda got back up and slotted home the penalty to double her side’s advantage. As half-time approached Costa Rica enjoyed possession and created a few chances. In the 41st minute Maria Coto’s effort came off the crossbar. Sheika Scott and Fabiola Villalobos had chances but couldn’t find the back of the net as they trailed by two goals at the break.

Costa Rica were a different proposition in the second half. Two minutes in and they pulled a goal back. Coto’s header wasn’t cleared, the ball fell to Herrera and she made no mistake.

In the 55th minute Zambia keeper Catherine Musonda appeared to foul Priscila Chinchilla in the area. The referee reviewed the incident but Scott had been offside when the attack started.

Herrera thought she had grabbed her second goal and the equaliser in the 68th minute but it was ruled out for offside. The Costa Rican’s continued to press. Del Campo had a chance in the 77th minute but Valeria del Campo hit her effort wide.

Zambia created opportunities near the end and got a third goal in stoppage time through Kundananji.

Goals from Telma Encarnacao and Kika Nazareth gave Portugal an historic first win at the Women’s World Cup, as they proved too strong for Vietnam to deal with.

The result has them on three points just behind the USA and Netherlands in the table, ahead of their final group tie, they still have the chance at reaching the next stage, they may have needed more goals in this tie if it comes to GD.

Portugal looked strong in the opening half and could easily have been ahead by more than two at the break, but just failed to find the net, in the second they tried some erratic efforts that were wasteful, when they did go for better chances they were left thwarted.

Vietnam started brighter, but unable to get a clear sight of goal, it was the Portuguese who were able to build some early chances, from a counter attack Jessica Silva was through on goal but she scuffed the effort and it was wide of the goal.

Two minutes later Silva turned provider, racing down the wing to beat the Vietnam full-back, she found Kika Nazareth, her effort at goal ending up over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

A minute later however, they were ahead, they had been running rings around the Vietnam defence, Lucia Alves crossed into the area and Telma Encarnacao applied the finishing touch for the lead in the seventh minute.

Despite having a five back, their defence was being tested by some relentless Portuguese pressure, almost at walking pace, Nazareth tried for goal with a volley that went over, before setting up Alves, but she could not get past the rushing keeper to create a chance.

21 minutes in and it was 2-0, the Portugal attack was causing serious issues and a cutting pass from Encarnacao slipped the ball through for Nazareth to run onto, she had time and space to place an effort on goal, finishing to the bottom left hand corner to double the lead.

It was their own downfall really in terms of the Vietnam defence, they were poorly organised and frequently were exploited, unable to keep up their marking duties, the likes of Silva really cutting them open.

And it was Silva who had the chance to make it three, Vietnam unable to clear a cross, it landed at the feet of SIlva, she was not expecting it and ms controlled the chance as the goal was gaping ahead of her, it could have been curtains 25 minutes in.

Pressure was still being applied by Portugal and they kept trying to add further goals, Andreia Jacinto lofted the ball into the box over the Vietnam defence where Encarnacao volleyed for goal, then had to try scramble the rebound and go for goal a second time, Kim Thanh saved well on both occasions.

On the half hour mark again the Vietnam defence was exploited, Encarnacao sending a through ball between the defenders for Nazareth to chase, she tried to play a clever back heel pass for Alves, but a Vietnam defender was back there to clear, alarm bells still ringing in that defence.

Vietnam just were not at the races, Portugal were enjoying 67% possession and had nine shots, trying to increase their lead even more, Jacinto had a further chacebut that went wide, but at the other end, a dreadful first touch by Patricia Morais, the second of their two changes, almost saw the goalkeeper make a huge blunder, but despite being pressured got the ball away.

Morais was called into action again in the 42nd minute, this time to palm away a strike from range, the Vietnamese really lacking conviction in front of goal, unable to really cause too much threat and worry to the Portuguese defence. 

Playing out the rest of the half under pressure, the whistle came as a relief to the Vietnam players, Portugal were on fire and being ahead, they wanted to notch as many goals as possible to boost their goal difference of the the showdown with the United States, the aim of the game was that as far as they were concerned points were secured.

It looked like goals were set to rain as the second half got underway, Nazareth and Silva both had early chances but failed to really cause issue, Silva then found Encarnacao with a cross to the back post, her volley over the bar.

Silva tried from range but the shot was not threatening, they were looking a little frustrated as they were not getting goals, trying numerous low xG chances, hoping one of them would find a way in, Joana Marchao the next to go from range but again nothing.

After the hour mark they started to create better chances, Jacinto dragged an effort wide of the goal after a well worked corner routine, before Silva once more tired to link up with Encarnacao at the back post, her header wide of the mark.

Two minutes later it should have been three-nil. Nazareth with another beautiful pass for Silva, the keeper darted out and saved her original effort on goal, but the rebound fell nicely for an open goal, but the shot went past the post, seconds later Marchao shot from the edge of the box, it hit the bar and rebounded into the path of Nazareth but she failed to convert.

That became the story of the second half, Portugal unbale to find the target, changes a plenty but unable to really catch them for more goals, Vietnam depart the tournament, now the meeting with the USA, looks even more interesting.

An exhibition of goalkeeping from Gael Thalmann ensured Switzerland left Waikato Stadium with a 0-0 draw against Norway whose star player Ada Hegerberg was seen marching down the tunnel in distress minutes before kick off.

It was later confirmed that the ex Ballon D'or winner had picked up a groin injury in the build up to the game.

Indeed Hege Riise's side looked stunned at the beginning of the game as Switzerland looked the more threatening early on. Coumba Sow had a great chance after the ball came to her after a goalmouth scramble which was only cleared after some last ditch defending.

Norway to their credit, grew into the game and had a great chance in the 25th minute through a powerful Sophie Haug header which forced a great save out of Gael Thalmann.

Switzerland's best chance of the half came after 34 minutes through Nadine Riesen who struck a terrific long range effort which was just tipped over by Aurora Mikelsen. That's as close as either team got as the sides went in deadlocked at the break.

After a sluggish start to the second half, the game sparked into life when Thalmann made another great save from Haug, showing great reflexes in a seemingly improbable position.

While their star player was on the bench, another Norweigan stalwart Caroline Hansen came off it to win her 100th cap in the 57th minute and immediately became involved in the game which was becoming end to end in a similiar vein to the first.

And just like the first period, Norway began to take over in the second quarter as they searched for the all important goal. Once again Thalmann made a great save in the 76th minute from a close range Frida Maanum strike.

Switzerland could have snatched it late on when Sow made a terrifc cross into the box but unfortunately for her, no one was able to get on the end of it.

Norway resumed their siege on the Swiss goal as the game entered the final minutes but ultimately could not find the breakthrough as the game finished goalless leaving the Scandinavian side on a point after two games compared to Switzerland's four.

Full Time in Waikato Stadium where Japan have beaten Zambia by five goals to nil in their World Cup opener this morning. Japan piled on the pressure from the onset, breaking the deadlock in the 42^nd minute, and never looked back.

Heading into today’s match, 2011 World Cup winners and 2015 finalists Japan were heavy favourites against the tournament newcomers in the form of Zambia, and it was the former champions that took control of the game from the first whistle.

Japan dominated the possession throughout the game, using their experience to suffocate Zambia of any time on the ball. Their excellent passing was on full display this morning, with cross-field passes regularly causing disruption and chaos for the Zambian defence.

Japan had the ball in the back of the net in the 20^th minute, however the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, goal-scorer Mina Tinaka straying offside in the build-up. To be fair to Tinaka, she did not touch the ball whilst in an offside position, but she was deemed to have interfered with play. It was relief for Zambia, who were grateful that the goal had been disallowed.

Zambia performed well defensively to keep Japan at bay for the majority of the first half, but they finally cracked in the 42^nd minute. Tinaka found herself on her right flank with an abundance of time and space, allowing the winger to whip an excellent cross into the box, where it was met by the right boot of Hinata Miyazawa. The 23-year-old midfielder controlled her strike perfectly, powering the ball past Catherine Musonda in the Zambian net to give Japan the lead in this game.

Miyazawa’s strike was Japan’s ninth shot attempt on goal in the opening 45 minutes, their fourth on target, emphasising their control over the game.

After scoring their goal, Japan looked to put the game to bed before half time and were piling the pressure on the Zambian defence, who were begging for half time; It was a miracle that Zambia’s deficit was just the one goal.

Japan came out strong out of the blocks after half time, and thought they had doubled their lead inside the opening four minutes, only for it to be ruled out for offside for a second time in this game, and the second time Tinaka had thought she had scored! Just one minute later, Japan were awarded a penalty following a clumsy tackle from Zambia goalkeeper Musonda inside the box, but again VAR stepped in to deny the penalty following an offside in the build-up; this time it was Jun Endo who was offside. Zambia were counting their lucky stars!

It was only a matter of time before Japan doubled their lead, and in the 54^th minute Mina Tinaka put the ball in the back of the net for the third time this morning, and her goal wasn’t ruled out for offside this time! Jun Endo had timed her run to perfection this time, and had played a wonderful cross into the Zambian box, where Tinaka found herself wide open for a first-time finish past Musonda in goal. Tinaka waited for her goal to be checked by VAR before celebrating this time, and was visibly delighted that she had finally got on the score-sheet on her third attempt.

Just seven minutes later, it was 3-0 to Japan, Tinaka the assist maker this time. After a long throw, Tinaka did extremely well to prevent the ball from crossing the line and fired a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. Musonda tried to anticipate the cross, and dived out to reach the low cross, but she fell short, allowing Mizyawa an easy tap-in for her second of the night.

Before long it was 4-0 to Japan, this time Jun Endo getting her name on the scoresheet. Endo was played in on goal by a wonderful first-time pass from Yui Hasegawa, who set up her teammate one-on-one with the goalkeeper from the left-hand side. Endo’s shot powered past Musonda’s left hand and nestled into the back of the net.

Japan were awarded a penalty in the 7^th minute of added time after Musonda fouled inside the box again and was shown a second yellow card, and thus a red card. Eunice Sakala was brought on for the penalty, and produced a wonderful save, however VAR spotted she was off her line and so the penalty was retaken. Riko Ueki stepped up again and slotted the ball easily into the bottom right corner to make it 5.

Japan were far too strong for Zambia this morning, showing their class and experience in this opening fixture. Tinaka was excellent, getting herself two assists and a goal, although she could have had three! Zambia produced a spirited performance but ultimately came up short against a brilliant Japanese team who kept them at bay.

Japan now sit top of Group C on goal difference. Next up, Japan play Costa Rica, whilst Zambia face Spain.

Full Time in Waikaito Stadium, Zambia 0-5 Japan