The ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup has reached the last 8, and it is dominated by the European countries. The defending champion, the United State of America is the only non-European country remaining in the last 8, Host France, 2-time champion Germany, European Champion Netherland, 2015 3rd place winner England, Sweden, Norway and Italy complete the lineup.
Top on the list of 3 all-European quarterfinal match ups is ;
• Germany vs Sweden, the remaining European matchups include,
• Italy vs Netherland,
• Norway vs England, while
• France vs USA completes the quarterfinal ties.
GERMANY vs SWEDEN:
Germany, despite having reach top gear in the tournament, is recording wins under her belts and cruised into the last 8 with an easy 3 nil win over Nigeria and now face her toughest test so far, Sweden. The Swedes battled past a dogged Canada 1 nil, in fact, had her goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl to thank for their qualification, after the shot-stopper pulled a wonder spot-kick save to deny Canada an equalizer.
The last 5 meetings between them saw Germany had the upper hand, won 4 and drew 1 and no doubt has the advantage, going into the clash. However, the Scandinavia side cannot be underrated, as she can trouble any team on any given day.
Punters' smart money will be on a Germany win, anything short of that will be the shock of the round.
ITALY vs NETHERLAND:
Italy qualifies for the quarterfinal for the 1st time since they did so in the maiden edition of the women's world cup in 1991, the Italians defeated one-time runner up China 2 nil to reach the last 8. They now face an undefeated Netherland team in the quarterfinals, the Dutch women reach the last 8 for the 1st time in their history, defeating 2011 winner Japan 2-1 to set up a date with Italy
Netherland, the current European champion will have it all to do with a discipline Italian side that has only conceded 2 goals so far, and also boasts of a potent attack with the likes of Cristiana Girelli(3 goals), Aurora Galli(2 goals) and Barbara Bonansea(2 goals) a constant menace at opposition goal. However, Netherland also boasts of a lethal strike duo of Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema(2 goals) and Barcelona's Lieke Martens(2 goals) and they can sure hurt any team.
It is going to be a close matchup too, but Italy might just edge due to their better and tight back 4.
NORWAY vs ENGLAND:
Norway advanced into the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 4-1 penalty-kicks win over Australia after the match ended 1 all after 120 minutes, they now face a familiar foe England in the last 8 tie, the English women recorded a routine 3 nil win over Cameroun in their round of 16 tie.
The 3-Lionesses are 1 of the few sides with 100% win in the tournament, having played 4 and won all 4, but they face a dogged Norwegian side that is hard to break down. Norway will have revenge at the back of their mind having lost the 2015 round of 16 1-2 to England, after taking the lead.
With both teams sharing a win each in their previous 2 meetings, this clash may as well ends in a draw. We might have an extra 30 minutes on our hand and perhaps penalty-kicks.
FRANCE vs USA:
The host France crapped through a tough round of 16 tie with a 2-1 win over Brazil, the Les Bleus have now reached the last 8 for the past 3 tournaments and now set up a date with the defending champion the USA, the United State of America needed 2 spot-kicks to overcome a spirited Spain in their round of 16 clash.
No doubt one of the clashes of the round, France vs USA always boast of a goal, the last 5 matches between these two have produced 11 goals, 2 wins each for either side and a draw. France winning the last ties with an emphatic 3-1 win in an international friendly. USA has reached the last 2 finals and is 1 of the favourites to lift this year's trophy, but they have to do it against the host.
Definitely hard to call the winner as the host will have the full support of the park full stadium.
Thank you all for your time.
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