Paris: Florencia Bonsegundo’s twice-taken penalty completed Argentina’s dramatic fightback against Scotland on Wednesday and also opened the door at the Women’s World Cup for four winless teams who play on Thursday.
Also in Group D, England and Japan were already through to the last 16 before meeting in Nice, where two goals by Ellen White secured a 2-0 victory and first place with a maximum nine points.
Argentina fought back from three down to draw 3-3 in Paris to eliminate the Scots as they climbed to third. But they only have two points and are weakly placed in the battle to finish as one of the four best third-place teams. To advance, the Argentines need an unlikely pair of draws in Thursday’s final set of group games. England will head to Valenciennes in northern France for a last-16 tie on Sunday against a third-placed side with China, Cameroon, New Zealand, Chile and even Thailand all potential opponents.
The permutations are less complicated for Japan, but the Nadeshiko — World Cup winners in 2011 and runners-up in 2015 — will have a stiffer-looking test in Rennes against either the Netherlands or Canada who meet in Reims Thursday to decide the Group E winners. The stakes are higher for Cameroon and New Zealand who play in Montpellier in the group’s other game. Victory by two goals — or just one in a high-scoring match — would make either Cameroon or New Zealand one of the four best third-placed teams.
“We just need to make sure we win on Thursday and make sure we do everything possible and get to the next round,” Cameroon defender Estelle Johnson said. The situation is similar in Group F with Sweden and USA, who meet in Le Havre, both on six points.
The group winner will face Italy in the last 16 with the runner-up playing the Netherlands or Canada. (AFP)
