The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, has a total of 18 Barcelona players active in the tournament. The FC Barcelona players are representing eight different National sides. The Spanish squad features the most Barça players, namely Irene Paredes, Aitana, Mariona Caldentey, Alexia Putellas, Laia Codina, María Pérez, Salma Paralluelo, Cata Coll and Ona Batlle.
England (Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze) and Norway (Engen and Hansen) both have two blaugranas in their squads. Nigeria (Oshoala), Brazil (Geyse), Italy (Giulia Dragoni), Sweden (Rölfo) and Switzerland (Crnogorčević) all have one Barça player.
Wednesday 2 August
Sweden 2-0 Argentina
Fridolina Rolfö’s side are safely through to the last sixteen following today’s win, although the Barça star didn’t feature in today’s game. They now face an enticing game against defending champions USA in the knockout stages.
South Africa 3-2 Italy
But the tournament is over for Giulia Dragoni and Italy in the most frustrating of manners. They set to join Sweden in the next round, but a South African goal in injury time brought heartache. Young Dragoni has shown her full potential by playing in all three games for her country, totally 232 minutes.
Tuesday 1 August
China 1-6 England
England, with Lucy Bronze in the side for 71 minutes but Keira Walsh out injured, have cruised past China 6-1 to make mathematically sure of their place in the last 16, where they will be facing Oshoala’s Nigeria.
Monday 31 July
Nigeria 0-0 Rep.of Ireland
Barça striker Asisat Oshoala played 67 minutes of Nigeria draw against the Irish which sees the African nation through to the last 16 as runners-up in their group. In the next round they will face either England, Denmark or China.
Japan 4-0 Spain
Spain have suffered a heavy defeat to former champions Japan, with Ona Batlle, Irene Paredes and Aitana Bonmatí featuring throughout and Mariona, Salma and Alexia also starting. The result means that Spain will have to settle for second place in the group, which means a last 16 encounter against Crnogorčević’s Switzerland.
Sunday 30 July
Norway 6-0 Philippines
With only a point from the opening two games, Norway were under pressure to win this fixture handsomely to ensure passage through to the next round. However, they did just that, including Hansen scoring a low shot from distance for the third goal in this comfortable victory. Engen came on in the second half to help ensure the triumph.
Switzerland 0-0 New Zealand
Needing a draw to go through as group winners, Switzerland completed the task, knocking out co-hosts New Zealand in the process. Crnogorčević played virtually the entire match, with clear cut opportunities for both sides few and far between.
Saturday 29 July
Sweden 5-0 Italy
Sweden, with Rolfö playing 62 minutes and scoring the second goal, have waltzed into the next round after crushing Italy 5-0. Dragoni played 59 minutes for the losing side, who despite the defeat can still qualify for the knockout stage by beating South Africa on the final day.
France 2-1 Brazil
It’s a loss for Geyse and Brazil, who despite equalising after 58 minutes were eventually beaten by a late goals from Renard. The Barça striker played the first hour of the game. The South Americans will play Panama in their final game, and a win there would still be enough to ensure they go through.
Friday 28 July
England 1-0 Denmark
European champions England have picked up a second consecutive 1-0 win, this time over Denmark, with the only goal converted by Lauren James after just 6 minutes. It hasn’t quite secured mathematical qualification, but very, very nearly. Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze both started the game, although Walsh was stretchered off with a knee injury after 38 minutes. England manager Sarina Wiegman was unable to offer precise details after the game, but did say that “if you can’t walk off the pitch it’s serious.” Let’s hope it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
kafuispot appreciate you alot for reading! If you enjoyed this piece by Gloria Kafui Kuzo, kindly hit the share button and help others to also see it. You can also like our Facebook page, so you know when we make new posts on KAFUISPOT
source-Barcelona women website
