Women's World Cup: Jamaica make history; Sweden & Netherlands grind out narrow wins

Day four at the 2023 Women's World Cup took the number games played so far to 12 out of the total 64 at the tournament - already nearly 20% of the way through.

Sweden and South Africa started Sunday's action with their Group G clash in a rain-soaked Wellington. After the United States beat Vietnam on Saturday, matchday one in Group E concluded with an all-European clash between Netherlands and Portugal, while Group F also got underway as a plucky and confident Jamaica faced France, one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Sweden 2-1 South Africa - Group G

Sweden didn't get their winner against a well drilled South Africa side until 45 seconds before the end of the 90 minutes as new Arsenal defender Amanda Ilestedt rose highest at a late corner.

South Africa lost all three of their games at the 2019 World Cup and overcame obstacles in the build-up to this tournament amid frustrations over a lack of financial compensation from the national federation, even boycotting a friendly against Botswana that forced a number of emergency call-ups.

But the Banyana Banyana gave a good account of themselves against their heavyweight Scandinavian opponents and took the lead through Hildah Magaia early in the second half. A deflected Fridolina Rolfo effort got the Swedes back on level terms, before Ilestedt won it.

South Africa have games against Argentina and Italy to come and will be buoyed by their performance here. Sweden, meanwhile, will be relieved to get a tough start out of the way.

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Netherlands 1-0 Portugal - Group E

Netherlands and Portugal played out a five-goal thriller at Euro 2022 last summer, with the latter significantly better since then as arguably Europe's fastest improving team - as shown by their recent 0-0 draw against England in the build-up to the tournament.

The Portuguese again show the gap between the elite international sides the rest is narrowing, with a single goal from Dutch defender Stefanie van der Gragt at an early corner the only difference. The header was initially flagged offside, but a VAR review decided Jill Roord was not interfering with play.

Portugal pressed well and limited Netherlands, finalists in 2019, largely to set-piece chances. Both goalkeepers made saves in the second half, with Daphne van Domselaar preserving the Dutch clean sheet and all three points with a late stop from Telma Encarnacao.

France 0-0 Jamaica - Group F

Following three group stage defeats in 2019, Jamaica claimed a first ever World Cup point by going toe to toe with a France side ranked fifth in the world by FIFA and coming away with a 0-0 draw. It was celebrated like a win by a Reggae Girlz team now in with real chance of reaching the knockouts.

France showed signs of a team in transition and with relatively little time to prepare following a chance of manager as recently as March. They did create plenty of chances, but not enough to deserve the win, with Kadidiatou Diani wasteful in moments, as well as forcing a top save out of Becky Spencer and also hitting the woodwork towards the end.

The sour note for Jamaica is the late red card shown to star striker Khadija Shaw following an avoidable and reckless second yellow. She will now miss the crucial next game against Panama.

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Former Italy international Arianna Criscione, Dulwich Hamlet's Brittany Saylor and Football for Future founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop join Katie Cross to have football's climate conversation about the Women's World Cup and tournament football's carbon footprint. Pledgeball's Heather Ashworth also gives an update on the Pledgeball's new Women's World Cup initiative.

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