After a dramatic finish to the group stage, there’s plenty of excitement for the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup.
Germany, Italy, Brazil and Argentina are among those nations who have already been sent home after the twists and turns of the last couple of weeks.
Despite that, there are plenty of quality sides remaining and there are a lot of evenly-matched clashes. Below is a rundown of all eight games, with a tip for each.
- Spain to win to nil
- Japan to win
- Both the Netherlands and South Africa to score
- Sweden to win
- England -1 handicap
- Australia to win
- Jamaica double chance
- France vs Morocco under 2.5 goals
Switzerland vs Spain
Spain’s track record at the Women’s World Cup is improving but it isn’t great. They were eliminated in the group stage in their debut in 2015 and lost in the last 16 four years ago. They are favourites to go one better again, as they have landed Switzerland in the last 16 despite finishing second to Japan.
The Swiss topped an open Group A with just five points, keeping three clean sheets and failing to beat Norway and New Zealand. Spain hit eight goals in wins to nil against Costa Rica and Zambia, so they should keep this Swiss attack quiet too.
Japan vs Norway
Japan have been the team of the tournament thus far, making their way through the group stage with three wins from as many matches, scoring 11 times and conceding none. Their 4-0 demolition of Spain in the final game of the group showed they are capable of going deep down under, so Norway should fear them.
Norway’s only group win came against the Philippines - they also lost 1-0 to New Zealand and drew 0-0 with Switzerland. Against a Japan side who are impressive across the pitch, it is hard to see how Norway can compete. Despite their stunning start, Japan are well priced to see off Norway.
Netherlands vs South Africa
The Dutch topped Group E in their bid to go one step further than in 2019. They lost to the USA in France four years ago, so topping a group with the US in it will certainly delight the players. However, they face an entirely different test against South Africa.
Banyana Banyana made it out of the group stage for the first time at this tournament and they did that in style. They lost 2-1 to Sweden before drawing 2-2 with Argentina and beating Italy 3-2. Their journey at this tournament may not last much longer, but they should entertain on their way out. Back both teams to score as they can give the Dutch a scare.
Sweden vs USA
This is comfortably the tie of the round, with these two meeting for the fifth World Cup in a row. However, each of their last four clashes have been in the group stage, with the Swedes winning just once.
That could change in 2023, with Sweden having triumphed in all three games in the group stage. They meet a US side who claimed one win and went dangerously close to elimination in their goalless draw with Portugal in the final game. Sweden hit nine goals in the round-robin phase, topping a group in which Italy and Argentina were eliminated. They should have little trouble making an underwhelming US side pay for their poor displays.
England vs Nigeria
England went under the radar in wins over Haiti and Denmark before a 6-1 victory over China. That win was the fourth tournament in a row that coach Sarina Wiegman has won all three group games and she is hoping to make the final for the fourth time on the spin too.
Nigeria took a point off Canada and Republic of Ireland either side of a surprise win over Australia. They are likely to go with the approach which earned those two goalless draws, but that’s unlikely to work against England. At the Euros a year ago they sprang into life late in their group and then their knockout wins were impressive on the way to the final. Back England to cruise past this Nigeria side.
Australia vs Denmark
The host nation were made to sweat on just making it out of the group, but their first-place finish in Group B was impressive. Australia topped the table without star player Sam Kerr, although she returned to fitness to make the bench for their 4-0 win over Canada.
Kerr is expected to play some part against Denmark, who edged China and Haiti to make the last 16. They fell short against England and should lack the quality to match the hosts, with the Matildas well placed to build on their two group wins.
Colombia vs Jamaica
There’s little doubt about the surprise tie of the round, with Colombia and Jamaica partly responsible for two of the biggest shocks of the tournament to date. Colombia topped Group H, in which Germany were eliminated. Meanwhile, Jamaica held France and Brazil at bay to make the last 16.
While Colombia impressed in wins over South Korea and Germany, it is hard to say they are a superior side to France, who are among the tournament favourites. The fact that Jamaica frustrated two top sides in addition to claiming a 1-0 win over Panama suggests they can do likewise to Colombia, so back them to win or draw on the double chance.
France vs Morocco
This Morocco side are difficult to judge. On one hand, they were able to pip Germany to the last 16. However, they did that with wins over South Korea and Colombia, while they were thumped 6-0 in their clash with Germany.
As for France, they had three different group games. They toiled against Jamaica, won a fierce battle with Brazil and then contested a wild 6-3 victory over Panama. Conceding three goals to the side who finished bottom of the group suggests they are unlikely to be as open again. So back a low-scoring game against a Morocco side who tend to keep things tight with the exception of that clash with Germany.
