Women

The USWNT vs. Netherlands World Cup group stage match on Wednesday night was a fascinating midfield battle that epitomized the old cliché of it being "a game of two halves."

In the opening 45, the Dutch diced the Americans apart with a precision so masterful that it resembled ease. In reality, it's very difficult to turn the USWNT's finely tuned press against themselves, but the Netherlands were a Clockwork Oranje with clever movement, one-touch play and numerical superiority.

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.

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.

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.

MELBOURNE - Talismanic captain Alexandra Popp scored a brace as Germany launched their bid for a third Women's World Cup title with a 6-0 demolition of debutants Morocco on Monday.

In the tournament's most one-sided match to date, veteran striker Popp led from the front, heading in two first-half strikes before Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller and two own goals blew out the score after the break in front of 27,256 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.