Jamaica disappointed France and played out a 0-0 draw in their Group F opener of the Women’s World Cup in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday.
The French team, ranked fifth in the world and semi-finalists at the 2022 European Championships, produced a late display when Kadidiyatou Diani’s header hit the crossbar in the 90th minute.
After losing all three matches on their World Cup debut in 2019, Jamaica picked up their first point. The bad news for the Jamaican team is that top player Khadijah Shaw received a red card in stoppage time.
Jamaican coach Lorne Donaldson said of the result, “I would say it’s our No. 1 result ever.” “I think it’s the No. 1 I’ve seen, man or woman. I’ll put it up there.”
France will look to regroup against Brazil and Jamaica will take on Panama on Saturday.
Sweden 2, South Africa 1
Amanda Ellstad’s 90th-minute winner ensured victory for Sweden in their Group G opener in Wellington, New Zealand.
Searching for their first World Cup win, South Africa opened the scoring in the 48th minute through Hilda Magaiah.
Sweden equalized in the 65th minute when Johanna Wrighting Kanerid’s cross clipped defender Lebohang Ramalpe and then clipped Fridolina Rolfo and into the net.
South Africa will face Argentina on Friday and Sweden will return to action against Italy on Saturday.
Netherlands 1, Portugal 0
Stephanie van der Graagt gave the Dutch an early lead and they limited Portugal to two shots (one on goal) to win their Group E opener in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Van der Graagt scored from a corner kick in the 13th minute, but teammate Jill Roord was originally called off for fouling the goalkeeper. A VAR review overturned that call and the goal stood.
Portugal, making their World Cup debut, did not have a single shot on target until the 82nd minute when goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaer turned away Telma Encarnação’s effort.
On Thursday, the Netherlands will face the United States and Portugal will face Vietnam.
–Field Level Media