SYDNEY (AFP) -- Spain was plunged into turmoil when 15 players refused to feature under coach Jorge Vilda, but less than a year later they are in the Women's World Cup semifinals for the first time. Spain's coach Jorge Vilda gestures on the touchline during the Australia and New Zealand 2023...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- Sweden doesn't attract the same level of attention as many of its rivals, but might be starting to quietly believe this is its year after reaching yet another semifinal at the Women's World Cup. Sweden's players celebrate their victory during the Australia and New Zealand 2023...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- Amanda Ilestedt scored her fourth goal of the tournament and Filippa Angeldal netted a penalty as Sweden hung on to beat Japan, 2-1, on Friday, Aug. 11, and set up a Women's World Cup semifinal with Spain. Sweden players celebrate scoring their first goal during the Australia and...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- France coach Herve Renard is confident playing against "an entire nation" will bring out the best in his team when they face Australia in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup in Brisbane on Saturday, Aug. 12. France's head coach Herve Renard looks at his players during a...
WELLINGTON (AFP) -- Retiring Stefanie van der Gragt "deserves a statue", coach Andries Jonker said, after her career came to an end with the Netherlands' 2-1 defeat to Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday, Aug. 11. Netherlands' defender Stefanie van der Gragt (center) celebrates scoring...
SYDNEY (AFP) -- England forward Lauren James received a two-match ban from FIFA on Thursday, Aug. 10, for the stamp on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie that earned her a red card in the Women's World Cup last 16. Nigeria's defender Michelle Alozie (lower) reacts after being fouled by England's forward...
WELLINGTON (AFP) -- Teenager Salma Paralluelo hit an extra-time winner as Spain beat the Netherlands, 2-1, at the Women's World Cup on Friday, Aug. 11, to set up a semifinal clash with Japan or Sweden. Spain's forward Salma Paralluelo (center) celebrates scoring her team's second goal during the...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Kadidiatou Diani might have feared she was going to miss the Women's World Cup when she suffered a fractured collarbone towards the end of last season, but the 28-year-old returned to fitness in time and has played a key role on France's run to the quarterfinals. France's forward...
Coming off a knee injury, Chandler McDaniel is looking to get significant playing time when the Philippine women’s national football team debuts in the 2022 Asian Games in China this September. Chandler McDaniel during the Filipinas' training camp in New Zealand. (PWNFT) The 25-year-old...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- Japan is the revelation of the Women's World Cup but it must brace themselves for the ultimate clash of styles when they face Sweden in the quarterfinals at Eden Park on Friday, Aug. 11. Japan’s head coach Futoshi Ikeda (right) and Fuka Nagano adjust their earphones during a...
WELLINGTON (AFP) -- Netherlands coach Andries Jonker says he "knows everything" about Spain ahead of its Women's World Cup quarterfinal on Friday, Aug. 11, thanks in part to former Spanish international Damaris Egurrola. Netherlands players celebrate their victory after the end of the Australia and...
SYDNEY (AFP) -- Colombia's run to the Women's World Cup quarterfinals may have taken many by surprise, but for coach Nelson Abadia it is the product of years of building. Colombia's defender Monica Ramos (second to the left) and teammates celebrate at the end of the Australia and New Zealand 2023...
