Noe Llamas / SPP
England’s pathway to the 2023 FIFA Girls’s World Cup ultimate to this point appears to be a a lot simpler proposition than they’d initially anticipated. The type of a few of the groups that had been thought of favorites have dropped significantly, like the US who did not high their group and exited on the Spherical of 16 phases, and each Germany and Brazil who’ve shockingly exited the competitors a lot sooner than anticipated. Becoming a member of them are different robust opponents like Canada and Italy.
This may characterize a slight change within the narrative of who’re thought of high sides and as an alternative power the examination of latest groups of their place seeking to make an enduring impression.
Now England face Nigeria within the Spherical of 16, hoping to advance and tackle the winner of Colombia vs. Jamaica. In each ties, England can be thought of the favorites on paper, and an opportunity at a World Cup semi-final is tangibly inside attain. Nonetheless, the last word query is how does England navigate their approach to the ultimate — are they actual contenders for the grand prize, or only a workforce masking deficiencies?
A part of the reasoning behind England’s downplayed possibilities of successful the World Cup has been their accidents. The Lionesses misplaced Leah Williamson and Fran Kirby earlier than the match began and are actually sweating over the health of defensive midfield lynchpin Keira Walsh. The Barcelona midfielder injured her knee towards Denmark with what was initially feared to be an ACL damage, however thankfully, these fears have been not too long ago allayed.
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