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

With Australia, Brazil, Italy, and debutants Jamaica in Group C, it was always going to be a three-way battle for top spot. Despite the enthusiasm of the Reggae Girlz, who are being backed by none other than Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella, everyone realistically knew that the Caribbean nation would be making just a cameo appearance in France this summer.

Here’s what we learned from Group C’s games at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Italy’s ladies restoring some lost pride in the bel paese

Last year, the men’s side missed out on qualifying for their first World Cup in over 60 years thanks to Sweden. It was really a true nadir for the Azzurri, who won the World Cup in 2006, but were embarrassed in 2010 as they crashed out at the group stage. 2014 brought them no further respite, and after struggling against a staunchly defensive Sweden side, the team, who were then under the guidance of Gian Piero Ventura failed to score at the Stadio San Siro and thus ended up losing the series 1-0.

Well, no worries for calcio fans, as the women’s team have gone some ways to restoring pride for Italy. The Azzurre are back in the World Cup after a 20-year absence, and kicked off their group stage opener by fighting back from a goal down against Australia. Barbara Bonasera’s second half brace – with the second goal coming in the last minutes of stoppage time – was enough to undo Sam Kerr’s effort and give the Italians all three points.

Jamaica proved to be no match as Italy cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory, with two more Juventus-based players – Cristiana Girelli and Aurora Galli – scoring a hat-trick and a brace respectively. The Azzurre were hard done by a tricky call that gave Brazil all three points, but despite the slight set-back, still finished top of their quartet and now will be looking forward to facing China in the round of 16.

Fans have been certainly encouraged by the team’s performances, and as they have been given a more generous draw, the Azzurre have a great chance to get to the quarter-finals and continue restoring some lost pride to the bel paese.

Brazil struggling to get off the mark, but given a lifeline on matchday three

Brazil did start off well by earning a comfortable 3-0 win over Jamaica, but the South American giants were dealt a shock blow as they ended up throwing away a two goal lead to lose 3-2 to Australia.

With the Matildas facing Jamaica on matchday three – and guaranteed a likely win – Brazil were really in trouble. They couldn’t afford to lose to Italy as they would potentially miss out on a spot in the round of 16, and that in itself would have been a shocker.

Fortunately, they were given a lifeline. Just as it looked like Italy would either pick up a draw or snatch a late goal, Brazil received a penalty call in their favor. Marta then stepped up to convert it – and wrote her name into the history books as the all-time top goalscorer at both the men’s and women’s World Cups.

France, however, will present a really tough test for Brazil. Will they be able to kick into a higher gear at just the right time?

Australia really impressing so far this summer in France

Although the Matildas were unfortunate to see all three points go down the drain as they suffered a 2-1 reversal against Italy, Ante Milicic’s side rebounded in excellent fashion.

They clawed their way back from a two-zero deficit to beat Brazil in stunning style by scoring three goals sans reply, and absolutely crushed debutants Jamaica in their final game to secure second place in Group C.

But it’s not the victories, it’s the manner of them. To come from 2-0 down against South American titans Brazil is certainly no easy feat, but the Matildas got it done. And thanks to a poker from Sam Kerr, they were absolutely dominant against Jamaica, despite the minnows grabbing a consolation goal as they valiantly tried to get back in the game.

With Norway plugging along and Australia peaking at the right time, it’s set to be a very interesting showdown in the round of 16 this weekend.

Debutants Jamaica endure baptism by fire, but they can take stock of first ever World Cup appearance

To be honest, the Reggae Girlz were up against it from the very beginning. The fact that the team was once disbanded and only re-instated in 2014 shows that the program is still in its infancy, but they certainly made their nation proud.

Despite losing all their matches, Havana Solaun made history with Jamaica’s first ever goal in their 4-1 defeat to the Matildas. Solaun, interestingly, who was born in Hong Kong to a Cuban-American father and a Jamaican mother, once also played for the under 17, 20, and 23 teams for the United States. But being eligible to play for four nations – Hong Kong, Cuba, the United States, and Jamaica – she eventually decided to seize her chance to feature at a World Cup and switched allegiance to Jamaica just in time to be called up for the team’s first-ever squad.

With a young squad – their youngest player, Jody Brown is only a 17-year-old secondary school student – there are high hopes that this team will get another opportunity to grace the big stage in the not-too-distant future.

Who look set to go to the quarter-finals?

Three teams from Group C: Italy, Australia, and Brazil will all be hoping that their World Cup journeys last for a little bit longer. Based on their performances in the group stage, as well as their upcoming opponents, Italy are looking like a sure-fire pick to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. If Australia can replicate the same showing they did against Brazil and Jamaica, with Kerr rapidly growing in confidence, the Matildas should be able to see off Norway, who have been quite solid, but not spectacular.

Brazil, however, will really need to step it up, as they have been handed a really tough draw. That being said, they are not ranked among the top sides in women’s football just by accident, and they do have Marta, widely recognized as one of the best players ever to feature in the women’s game in their ranks. Taking on Les Bleues at home will be no easy task, but one thing is certain – it will be a fascinating showdown this Sunday.