International Soccer

BRISBANE - Nigeria produced the first major shock of the Women's World Cup as they stunned Australia 3-2 on Thursday to leave the co-hosts' tournament hopes on thin ice and home fans reeling.

Asisat Oshoala volleyed into an open goal in the 72nd minute to seal a deserved win for the Africans after Uchenna Kanu cancelled out Emily van Egmond's opener on the cusp of halftime and Osinachi Ohale nudged Nigeria ahead after the break.

WELLINGTON - The United States have yet to produce their best performance at the Women's World Cup, coach Vlatko Andonovski said on Thursday, after the Netherlands held them to a frustrating 1-1 draw in their second match of the tournament in Wellington.

Co-captain Lindsey Horan powered a terrific header into the net to level the affair in the second half and save the four-times champions from outright embarrassment after not putting up much of a fight early on in the match.

Netherlands’ women’s head coach Andries Jonker asked “what is left of the USWNT’s superiority” in soccer prior to his side’s 1-1 draw with the U.S on Thursday (Wednesday in the States).

It was an incredibly bold statement from Jonker who then failed to beat the team he said had lost its superiority. 

Netherlands' Head Coach Andries Jonker had some fighting words ahead of today's match against the USWNT pic.twitter.com/I1xvEdBb7e

The Republic of Ireland's Women’s World Cup journey is all but over as a 2-1 defeat to Canada on Wednesday eliminated the Irish from the competition.

The 2023 edition of the tournament was the first time Ireland had qualified. Despite losing the first two games, The Girls in Green still got admirable results. A 1-0 loss to hosts Australia and a 2-1 defeat to the 2020 Olympic gold medalists Canada is nothing to be ashamed of.

Ireland’s big World Cup moment has to be the Katie McCabe goal vs Canada. The Irish opened Wednesday’s game with a stunning goal from their captain.

Wrexham A.F.C. are becoming one of the most beloved teams in the United States and their most recent friendly match abroad against Manchester United is a prime example of just how quickly their foreign fanbase is growing.

Wrexham is America’s new soccer team

Like we said, the Wrexham-mania in the States is through the roof and their most recent preseason friendly match against Manchester United shows just how big the fanbase is getting in America.

It's Tuesday morning in the United States and every nation at the Women's World Cup has completed one match. Group A, the Group of Life, went ahead and completed their second games in the early hours so that makes our Power Rankings a little clearer, but this is how things stand in our eyes after just a taste of the tournament.  

2023 Women's World Cup Power Rankings

#32. Zambia 

The U.S. women's national team is in a position to win a record third straight World Cup because every player who steps on the field is expected to meet the high standards of their predecessors.

Sophia Smith is the latest example of a potential legend in the making, following in the footsteps of players such as Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and current teammate Alex Morgan.