SYDNEY — The traditional elite have been cut down to size at the Women’s World Cup.
That has been the standout theme as a tournament that has already set records for attendance and goals scored enters the quarterfinals stage, and it has made for high drama.
“It’s been absolutely incredible and a great testament to some of the work that is happening around the world,” FIFA’s head of women’s football, Sarai Bareman, told The Associated Press. “To see the results of this World Cup brings so much meaning to the work that we do.
“It’s really special, not only for the players and the teams, but for those of us who are working on the game day in and day out.”
Soccer’s world governing body FIFA is trying to grow the women’s game at pace, and it seems to be having an impact.
Established nations have fallen one by one over the past two weeks, with the back-to-back defending champion U.S. team joining No. 2-ranked Germany, Brazil and Olympic gold medalist Canada by going home early.
The tournament, being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, has produced one upset after another.
Scott Barbour
US players react following a miss in the penalty shootout during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Sweden and the United States in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)
The U.S. team’s penalty shootout loss to Sweden in the round of 16 ended its bid for an unprecedented three-peat of World Cup titles.
Lina Hurtig’s spot kick crossed the line by a tiny fraction and that was enough to send the pre-tournament favorites packing, and prompting questions about the future of U.S. soccer.
Two-time champion Germany opened with a thumping 6-0 win over Morocco but was beaten by Colombia and held to a draw by South Korea in the group stage. Brazil started off with a 4-0 win over Panama before losing to France and drawing with Jamaica. Both Germany and Brazil were gone before the knockouts.
Tournament newcomer Morocco, as well as South Africa, Jamaica and Colombia all advanced. The Colombians, the only team from the Americas still in contention, face England in the quarterfinals after edging Jamaica 1-0 in the round of 16.
Hamish Blair
Fans cheer before the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Jamaica and Colombia in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
“This World Cup has been amazing. As you can see, the gap is closing (between) the smaller teams and the bigger countries,” Jamaica’s Manchester City forward Bunny Shaw said. “Women’s football is growing. We’ve got to keep moving forward and keep pushing.”
What remains to be seen is whether the upsets are a quirk of this year’s tournament in the Southern Hemisphere, or a more permanent trend.
The Associated Press takes a look at some other trends from the opening weeks:
IMPROVEMENTS IN GOALKEEPING
There have been standout performances by goalkeepers so far, with the Americans repeatedly frustrated by Sweden’s Zecira Musovic in the round of 16. The Chelsea keeper produced a string of saves and was voted player of the match as the U.S dominated but couldn’t find a breakthrough in the game that ended 0-0 through extra time.
Scott Barbour
Sweden's goalkeeper Zecira Musovic watches as United States' Megan Rapinoe misses her penalty shot at goal during the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Sweden and the United States in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)
Netherlands keeper Daphne van Domselaar was player of the match as the Dutch advanced to the quarterfinals by beating South Africa 2-0.
While that game saw South Africa keeper Kaylin Swart make an error to allow Lineth Beerensteyn to score, she also pulled off a string of saves to keep the Netherlands at bay.
Nigeria’s captain Chiamaka Nnadozie’s made a crucial save to deny Canada’s Christine Sinclair a place in history in a scoreless opening draw, earning her player of the match accolades.
“Of course everything is not perfect, but I think we are going in the right direction,” said former Germany keeper Nadine Angerer, who is part of FIFA’s technical study group at the World Cup.
“What we’ve seen so far in general is that there are way better goalkeeping performances.”
Angerer said the save percentage in the group stage improved from 70% in 2019 to 77%.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Richard Heathcote // Getty Images
The wide, wide world of sports is no stranger to upsets. A team faced with adversity listed as the underdog suddenly comes out of nowhere to shock the world and pull off what the fans—and the odds—would have considered impossible. A proverbial plot twist played out across the court, the field, or in the case of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the pitch.
Every four years, the gaze of the globe falls upon 32 qualifying teams pitted against each other in at least 90 grueling minutes of blood, sweat, and tears that are often required to earn championships. And every four years, millions of watchful eyes are laser-focused on the stats, matchups, and odds that play into or against the favor of their favorite team—whether they're the top-ranked pick to win or the down-and-out underdog.
So what is an upset? Where does the term even come from? Depending on who you ask and, more importantly, who their team is—any and all games can be looked at as an upset if your team is losing. But where the term came from is actually steeped in sports lore. Though the first mention of an "upset" originated from a racing news blotter in New York, its popularization came from the well-known (and only) defeat of champion thoroughbred racehorse "Man o' War" in 1919 by a horse named—you guessed it—Upset. While the term itself came from racing, the concept spread throughout the sports world, and generation after generation have found themselves facing "upsets" of their own.
In honor of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, OddsSeeker looked back at some of the biggest upsets in the competition's history. To compile the list, various data points were compared with a focus on final score as well as matchups where underdogs prevailed against tough opponents in knockout rounds.
Richard Heathcote // Getty Images
The wide, wide world of sports is no stranger to upsets. A team faced with adversity listed as the underdog suddenly comes out of nowhere to shock the world and pull off what the fans—and the odds—would have considered impossible. A proverbial plot twist played out across the court, the field, or in the case of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the pitch.
Every four years, the gaze of the globe falls upon 32 qualifying teams pitted against each other in at least 90 grueling minutes of blood, sweat, and tears that are often required to earn championships. And every four years, millions of watchful eyes are laser-focused on the stats, matchups, and odds that play into or against the favor of their favorite team—whether they're the top-ranked pick to win or the down-and-out underdog.
So what is an upset? Where does the term even come from? Depending on who you ask and, more importantly, who their team is—any and all games can be looked at as an upset if your team is losing. But where the term came from is actually steeped in sports lore. Though the first mention of an "upset" originated from a racing news blotter in New York, its popularization came from the well-known (and only) defeat of champion thoroughbred racehorse "Man o' War" in 1919 by a horse named—you guessed it—Upset. While the term itself came from racing, the concept spread throughout the sports world, and generation after generation have found themselves facing "upsets" of their own.
In honor of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, OddsSeeker looked back at some of the biggest upsets in the competition's history. To compile the list, various data points were compared with a focus on final score as well as matchups where underdogs prevailed against tough opponents in knockout rounds.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Thorsten Wagner // Getty Images
- Host country: Germany
- Final score: 1-0
In the 2011 quarterfinals, two-time champion Germany, who also had the home-field advantage, was considered a heavy favorite to take the cup. Japan's underdog status that year, however, was attributed to even more than stats and win-loss ratios. Four months prior to Japan taking center stage in front of the world, the country had been rocked literally and figuratively by the largest natural disaster the country had ever seen.
The Great East Japan Earthquake tore apart the country, and with the amount of wreckage and power shortages, the team—who had already struggled to capture the attention of their home country's fans—had to cancel their domestic league. Japan didn't just defeat Germany 1-0 with a goal by Karina Maruyama—they beat Sweden and the U.S. women's national team and eventually became the reigning champs.
Thorsten Wagner // Getty Images
- Host country: Germany
- Final score: 1-0
In the 2011 quarterfinals, two-time champion Germany, who also had the home-field advantage, was considered a heavy favorite to take the cup. Japan's underdog status that year, however, was attributed to even more than stats and win-loss ratios. Four months prior to Japan taking center stage in front of the world, the country had been rocked literally and figuratively by the largest natural disaster the country had ever seen.
The Great East Japan Earthquake tore apart the country, and with the amount of wreckage and power shortages, the team—who had already struggled to capture the attention of their home country's fans—had to cancel their domestic league. Japan didn't just defeat Germany 1-0 with a goal by Karina Maruyama—they beat Sweden and the U.S. women's national team and eventually became the reigning champs.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Bongarts // Getty Images
- Host country: Sweden
- Final score: 1-0
Sweden was the host nation for the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, and as any sports fan can tell you, the host team always has a bit of an advantage, even if it isn't a tangible one. It can't make someone run faster or jump higher by the logic of science, but thousands of people screaming and cheering you on as you play like your life depends on it? That is an unquantifiable advantage that can make an opposing team feel like the underdog.
Considering Brazil wasn't exactly among the best in the world in 1995, it made their match finish against the host team that much more impressive. Though Brazil didn't go on to place—finishing at the bottom of their group—their adrenaline-fueled burst into the games certainly left a memorable impression.
Bongarts // Getty Images
- Host country: Sweden
- Final score: 1-0
Sweden was the host nation for the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, and as any sports fan can tell you, the host team always has a bit of an advantage, even if it isn't a tangible one. It can't make someone run faster or jump higher by the logic of science, but thousands of people screaming and cheering you on as you play like your life depends on it? That is an unquantifiable advantage that can make an opposing team feel like the underdog.
Considering Brazil wasn't exactly among the best in the world in 1995, it made their match finish against the host team that much more impressive. Though Brazil didn't go on to place—finishing at the bottom of their group—their adrenaline-fueled burst into the games certainly left a memorable impression.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
DAN LEVINE // Getty Images
- Host country: United States
- Final score: 3-1
By the time 1999 rolled around, Denmark was already making a big name for itself in the global landscape of soccer. They'd had impressive finishes in the previous FIFA Women's World Cup and were considered a favorite going into this end-of-the-millenia match. With Denmark's hard-earned reputation as the team to beat, going into the match against North Korea, the odds were in their favor—until they got unexpectedly squashed. North Korea went on to lose to the United States, who ultimately took home the championship that year.
DAN LEVINE // Getty Images
- Host country: United States
- Final score: 3-1
By the time 1999 rolled around, Denmark was already making a big name for itself in the global landscape of soccer. They'd had impressive finishes in the previous FIFA Women's World Cup and were considered a favorite going into this end-of-the-millenia match. With Denmark's hard-earned reputation as the team to beat, going into the match against North Korea, the odds were in their favor—until they got unexpectedly squashed. North Korea went on to lose to the United States, who ultimately took home the championship that year.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Oliver Berg // Getty Images
- Host country: Sweden
- Final score: 1-1 (won on penalty kicks)
The 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup had double the stakes. Not only were the teams playing for the trophy and the title of World Cup Champions, but there was another prize for the taking. The winner would earn qualification for the Olympic Football Tournament, the first time women would compete in the sport on an Olympic stage.
The quarterfinal match between China and host team Sweden was a nail-biter that came down to a penalty shootout. A back-and-forth ensued that left fans on the edge of their seats—until China PR took the win 4-3. While China wouldn't place in the top three—they earned the #4 rank, with Norway taking home the cup—they did earn qualification in the Olympic tournament.
Oliver Berg // Getty Images
- Host country: Sweden
- Final score: 1-1 (won on penalty kicks)
The 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup had double the stakes. Not only were the teams playing for the trophy and the title of World Cup Champions, but there was another prize for the taking. The winner would earn qualification for the Olympic Football Tournament, the first time women would compete in the sport on an Olympic stage.
The quarterfinal match between China and host team Sweden was a nail-biter that came down to a penalty shootout. A back-and-forth ensued that left fans on the edge of their seats—until China PR took the win 4-3. While China wouldn't place in the top three—they earned the #4 rank, with Norway taking home the cup—they did earn qualification in the Olympic tournament.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
THOMAS CHENG/AFP // Getty Images
- Host country: China
- Final score: 4-0
During the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup, China had somewhat of a home-field advantage. But when it came to their defeat against Norway (who would win second place after losing in the final match to the United States), the dominant victory was unexpected. In the historic debut match, China's Ma Li scored the first goal in FIFA Women's World Cup history, with China's goalie, Zhong Honglian, claiming the first "clean sheet." While China would not place, they certainly solidified themselves in history with their first pitch performance.
THOMAS CHENG/AFP // Getty Images
- Host country: China
- Final score: 4-0
During the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup, China had somewhat of a home-field advantage. But when it came to their defeat against Norway (who would win second place after losing in the final match to the United States), the dominant victory was unexpected. In the historic debut match, China's Ma Li scored the first goal in FIFA Women's World Cup history, with China's goalie, Zhong Honglian, claiming the first "clean sheet." While China would not place, they certainly solidified themselves in history with their first pitch performance.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
LIU JIN/AFP // Getty Images
- Host country: China
- Final score: 1-1
The 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup was not a winning competition overall for Nigeria, who only took home one win throughout the series. Still, that victory was nothing short of epic. The front squad of Sweden caused a slew of problems for Nigeria during the first half, not scoring a single goal. After Sweden scored a point, many were counting Nigeria out, but they continued to hold firm on defense, refusing to give Sweden another opportunity to score. Then, Cynthia Uwak's last-minute goal put them at a draw, which no one saw coming. It was a fantastic game that defied the odds.
LIU JIN/AFP // Getty Images
- Host country: China
- Final score: 1-1
The 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup was not a winning competition overall for Nigeria, who only took home one win throughout the series. Still, that victory was nothing short of epic. The front squad of Sweden caused a slew of problems for Nigeria during the first half, not scoring a single goal. After Sweden scored a point, many were counting Nigeria out, but they continued to hold firm on defense, refusing to give Sweden another opportunity to score. Then, Cynthia Uwak's last-minute goal put them at a draw, which no one saw coming. It was a fantastic game that defied the odds.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Host country: Sweden
- Final score: 1-0
Both Norway and the United States had favorable odds to win the Women's World Cup in 1995, but the USWNT was considered slight favorites to take it all. However, Norway would reach the finals with this 1-0 win against the United States under their belt. Following the semifinal victory, Norway defeated Germany 2-0 in the final. The title earned them a qualifying spot in the Olympics tournament, making them the first team to bring a Women's World Cup back to Europe.
Rick Stewart // Getty Images
- Host country: Sweden
- Final score: 1-0
Both Norway and the United States had favorable odds to win the Women's World Cup in 1995, but the USWNT was considered slight favorites to take it all. However, Norway would reach the finals with this 1-0 win against the United States under their belt. Following the semifinal victory, Norway defeated Germany 2-0 in the final. The title earned them a qualifying spot in the Olympics tournament, making them the first team to bring a Women's World Cup back to Europe.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Clive Rose // Getty Images
- Host country: Canada
- Final score: 1-0
Brazil was strongly favored to win this match against Australia after winning all three of their previous matches, whereas Australia was going in with a record of 1-1-1. Brazil's team captain, Marta Vieira da Silva (or simply known as Marta). had been kept out of the winner's circle of the World Cup Final in 2011, so the 2015 games were her next chance. With the wholly shocking 1-0 loss against Australia, thanks to Kyah Simon's last-minute goal in the 80th minute of play, Marta was once again knocked out of contention for the cup. The United States would bring home the cup that year, with Australia getting knocked out in the quarterfinals by Japan.
Clive Rose // Getty Images
- Host country: Canada
- Final score: 1-0
Brazil was strongly favored to win this match against Australia after winning all three of their previous matches, whereas Australia was going in with a record of 1-1-1. Brazil's team captain, Marta Vieira da Silva (or simply known as Marta). had been kept out of the winner's circle of the World Cup Final in 2011, so the 2015 games were her next chance. With the wholly shocking 1-0 loss against Australia, thanks to Kyah Simon's last-minute goal in the 80th minute of play, Marta was once again knocked out of contention for the cup. The United States would bring home the cup that year, with Australia getting knocked out in the quarterfinals by Japan.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Ronald Martinez // Getty Images
- Host country: China
- Final score: 2-2
It seemed 2007 was a year of upsetting draws with Nigeria's surprising tie with Sweden and this 2-2 draw between North Korea and the USWNT. The U.S. already took home the cup in 1991 and 1999, respectively, and based on that pattern, they were due for another win in 2007. That's why, in the first match of the series, when the U.S. took the pitch at Chengdu Sports Centre, there were few in the crowd or around the globe anticipating a difficult match, let alone a full-on fight to the draw. But that is exactly what fans got.
Ronald Martinez // Getty Images
- Host country: China
- Final score: 2-2
It seemed 2007 was a year of upsetting draws with Nigeria's surprising tie with Sweden and this 2-2 draw between North Korea and the USWNT. The U.S. already took home the cup in 1991 and 1999, respectively, and based on that pattern, they were due for another win in 2007. That's why, in the first match of the series, when the U.S. took the pitch at Chengdu Sports Centre, there were few in the crowd or around the globe anticipating a difficult match, let alone a full-on fight to the draw. But that is exactly what fans got.
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How to watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Elsa // Getty Images
- Host country: Canada
- Final score: 2-0
There are upsets, and then there are shockers. When it comes to the FIFA Women's World Cup, Colombia's match against France for the 2015 title remains one of the sport's biggest upsets. Colombia was ranked #28 in the world when they walked onto the pitch, which was only the team's second appearance in FIFA Women's World Cup history. Their previous stint, in 2011, left them without one match win under their proverbial belts. Meanwhile, France was coming into the battle ranked #3 and certainly favored to make it far in the matches. The out-of-nowhere defeat against Colombia was perhaps the biggest upset shocker in the sport's history thus far.
Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Jeff Smith. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on OddsSeeker and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Elsa // Getty Images
- Host country: Canada
- Final score: 2-0
There are upsets, and then there are shockers. When it comes to the FIFA Women's World Cup, Colombia's match against France for the 2015 title remains one of the sport's biggest upsets. Colombia was ranked #28 in the world when they walked onto the pitch, which was only the team's second appearance in FIFA Women's World Cup history. Their previous stint, in 2011, left them without one match win under their proverbial belts. Meanwhile, France was coming into the battle ranked #3 and certainly favored to make it far in the matches. The out-of-nowhere defeat against Colombia was perhaps the biggest upset shocker in the sport's history thus far.
Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Jeff Smith. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on OddsSeeker and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
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IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT POSSESSION
The tactical improvement of less-established teams has been as highlight.
While teams with fewer outright stars have had to cede possession, they have still managed to be effective.
Jamaica’s tactical approach saw it advance from a group that included France and Brazil without conceding a goal. It was eventually eliminated by Colombia 1-0.
James Elsby
France gesture to their supporters following the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Morocco in Adelaide, Australia, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
“Sometimes the decision when you go into a game is ‘Do I want the ball or do I want the opponent to have the ball?’ said Jill Ellis, who coached the U.S. to two World Cup titles. “But if I want my opponent to have the ball, I want them to have it because I want them to open up because my strengths are in the transition.”
So while Japan and Spain have dominated possession, Colombia’s counter-attacking threat has also been effective.
“You’re seeing the personality or the strengths of nations come to the forefront,” Ellis said. “It’s not trying to take this style for this team., it is: ‘What is my team really good at and how can I exploit that?’ I see that a lot more in this World Cup.”
TIME ADDED ON
It was a feature of the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year and FIFA is continuing to clamp down on time-wasting.
Lengthy periods of stoppage time have been played, seeing games go well beyond 90 minutes during regulation time.
While that initiative wasn’t continued by major domestic leagues after Qatar, the Premier League appears set to follow it up this season.
Arsenal scored an equalizer in the 11th minute of stoppage time against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday before going on to win on penalty kicks.
GROWING INTEREST
The Women’s World Cup has been pulling in the fans.
Australia has twice played in front of crowds exceeding 75,000 in Sydney, limited only by the capacity of the stadium.
Rick Rycroft
Australia's players leave the pitch after winning the Women's World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
The attendance of 1,533,545 fans so far in the first two rounds has exceeded the previous record total of 1,353,506 when the World Cup was staged in Canada in 2015.
More than 500,000 people have attended fan zones in host cities to watch games on giant screens.
While this tournament has been expanded to 32 teams, up from 24, the fact that 14 games in the first two rounds have had crowds of more than 40,000 people points to the popularity of the event.
“This World Cup has shifted from being a team-supported tournament to a globally-followed event,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “This is why we are witnessing the greatest Women’s World Cup ever — and a record-breaking one.”
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