5 things we learned from Group A at the 2019 Women’s World Cup

To be honest, when Group A at the Women’s World Cup was announced, many people already figured that things would only go one way: Hosts France, buoyed by their home-pitch advantage would top the quartet, with Norway attempting to catch them – but failing – and having to settle for a runners-up berth.

Then it would be left to South Korea and Norway to try to duke it out for third place, as the best four third-placed sides do get a spot in the round of 16.

And that is exactly what happened. Les Bleues dominated from start to finish, the Grasshoppers ended up second after losing on matchday two, and the Nigeria vs. South Korea proved decisive as the Super Falcons fought hard to secure three points and a berth in the knock-out stages.

Here are five things we learned from following Group A, featuring France, Norway, South Korea, and Nigeria.

France in a class of their own – and so far, Corinne Diacre appears to be vindicated

Last summer we saw Didier Deschamps opt to leave Karim Benzema out of the squad ahead of France’s World Cup campaign. Many questioned his decision, but ultimately it was a wise one as Les Bleus beat upstarts Croatia 4-2 in the final to deservedly clinch the coveted prize. Likewise, Corinne Diacre made a tough call before this summer’s event by leaving out top goal-scorer Marie-Antoinette Katoko due to the young striker’s alleged “attitude problems”.

Well, so far, no one is missing Katoko, save for, perhaps, her fans. France made a clear statement on matchday one, easily blowing away South Korea with a very convincing 4-0 score-line, followed by a hard-fought 2-1 win over the team expected to challenge them for top spot – Norway.

Wendie Renard’s unfortunate own goal ultimately did not do the team in, as Eugenie Le Sommer converted a spot-kick to give the hosts all three points and set them up nicely for matchday three against Nigeria. Although the Super Falcons – desperate to avoid an 8-0 bashing like they received from France last April – dug in deep, Renard eventually got a break-through as she coolly netted via penalty to complete a perfect group stage campaign for Les Bleues.

Renard, a defender, is currently France’s top goal-scorer with three goals, followed by Le Sommer, with two. Although their last two wins were hardly cruising to victory, France still got the job done and will surely be confident ahead of their tricky round of 16 clash with Brazil coming up on the horizon.

Norway continue to plug along without superstar Ada Hegerberg

Like Diacre, Norway’s Martin Sjögren also came into this tournament without the services of a star player. Ada Hegerberg, the inaugural winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or, has decided to continue with her self-imposed exile from the national team, but so far, it hasn’t really hurt the Grasshoppers much.

Norway began their group stage campaign with a resounding 3-0 win over Nigeria, and although they will be bitterly disappointed to have dropped points against France when Renard’s own goal gave them a way back into the game, they rebounded well to hang on for a 2-1 win over a South Korea side who valiantly tried to claw their way back into the game.

An intriguing match-up against Australia awaits them now as Norway seek to re-establish themselves among the elite in women’s football after a difficult period.

South Korea take major step backwards at tournament this summer

It was a very disappointing World Cup for the Taegeuk Ladies, who at least had hoped to leave with some pride intact after their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of France. South Korea have not had the best luck when taking on Les Bleues, who ended World Cup dreams in the round of 16 four years ago.

That was South Korea’s second appearance after making their debut in 2003, and with Chelsea star Ji So-yun in their ranks, people had honestly expected them to make a bigger impression. Yes, no one expected them to beat France, or even Norway. But at the very least, they were expected to get something out of their game against Nigeria.

They failed miserably, losing 2-0 to the Super Falcons in a match that had they won, they could have potentially set themselves up for a round of 16 spot. Losing 4-0 in one’s first game is never easy, but it seemed like once down, South Korea simply couldn’t find their way back up.

After the under-20 men’s team impressed at the recent under-20 World Cup by making an amazing run to the finals, fans were hoping to at least see the women continue to improve in France this summer. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and so it will be back to the drawing board for Yoon Deok-yeo as he attempts to take stock of what went so horribly wrong for his side at this tournament.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons hardly soared, but they did win when it really counted

Dominant in Africa, but struggle on the bigger stage. That’s been the case for Nigeria over the years. The Super Falcons, who are under the tutelage of Swedish boss Thomas Dennerby, have finally overcome their frustrating run at World Cups. Dennerby was clearly looking to avoid another embarrassing result when Nigeria faced France, and although they lost, it was by a much more respectable score-line although they were clearly holding out for a vital point via a draw.

Nigeria were not expected to finish in the top two, but they clearly came in with a strategy – to pick off South Korea and put three points in the bank. And that is precisely what they achieved. Now they are off to the round of 16 for the first time in 20 years, and while they face a much unwanted clash with Germany – who, like France, also beat them 8-0 – they can certainly be proud of their achievements at this event so far.

Could we see some unexpected results in the round of 16?

France will take on Brazil, Norway to lock horns with Australia, and Nigeria will try to pull off a major upset against Germany. To be honest, barring a shocking collapse from the Germans, Nigeria’s journey at the 2019 Women’s World Cup looks set to come to an end.

Brazil have not fully gotten going yet and needed a penalty that some have questioned to get past Italy. That being said, with Marta in their ranks, they may have been slow coming out of the gates but they could certainly turn it on when it counts, making this a tricky clash indeed for Les Bleues.

And finally, Australia are really roaring to life at just the right time. If one is judging on momentum, it looks like the Matildas do have the extra edge to see off the Norwegians.

But football is unpredictable, and who knows? After all, no one expected Croatia to get to the finals in the men’s event last summer, nor did anyone expect Russia to manage to topple Spain.

So, certainly, as three survivors from Group A get involved in their respective knock-out ties on Saturday and Sunday, we could possibly see some surprise results.