W Gold Cup 2024 – Inside World Football

USA beat Brazil to win inaugural W Gold Cup in San Diego

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 02:44:21 +0000

March 11- The USA beat Brazil 1-0 in front of 31,528 screaming fans in the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego to win the inaugural W Gold Cup. It was an exciting climax to three weeks of international football that saw the women’s game take another major step forward on and off the pitch.

A Lindsey Horan headed goal in added time at the end of the first half broke the deadlock between two evenly matched teams.

Beauty and the beast. One will triumph in the W Gold Cup final on Sunday

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:56:21 +0000

March 8 – The inaugural W Gold Cup concludes Sunday with the USA facing Brazil in the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. World ranked two against number 11 in the first major women’s championship of 2024 with eyes also focussed on form going into the 2024 Olympics.

The final will showcase the best and most resilient teams of South and North America. It is a clash of styles from two teams who in the US’s case are used to sitting on top of the world,

Naeher’s penalty heroics end Canada’s dreams and send US into W Gold Cup final

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:54:16 +0000

March 7 – It was a night of high drama in the second semi-final of the W Gold Cup at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

The US overcame Canada 4-1 on penalties after the Canadians had equalised in the minute of added time at the end of extra time. The US hero was goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher who saved three of Canada’s spot kicks and scored her own penalty to send her country into the final on Sunday against Brazil.

Brazil head into W Gold Cup Final with 3-0 win over 10-player Mexico

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:24:43 +0000

March 6 – Brazil beat Mexico 3-0 to head into the W Gold Cup final with goals from Antonia, Adriana and a precocious backheel from Yasmim on a wet early evening at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Mexico, a goal down, had to play most of the last hour with 10 players against a Brazilian team that has grown in confidence and effectiveness as this tournament has progressed.

It was a tough evening for a Mexican side who produced one of the surprise results of the W Gold Cup with a 2-0 group win over the US,

W Gold Cup semis promise a blockbuster night of women’s football

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:52:37 +0000

March 6 – The W Gold Cup enters the semi-final stage tonight with both matches being played at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.

Three of the four semi-finalists are ranked in the top 11 in the world, while Mexico, ranked 35th, beat number two ranked USA in the group stages in what was a historical result for a fast developing Mexican team.

But it is the other giant Concacaf women’s nation,

Canada’s Priestman fine-tuned for W Gold Cup semi-final classico against the US

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 11:07:16 +0000

March 6 – Canada coach Bev Priestman is confident that if her players perform to their abilities they can beat the USA tonight in the Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, in the semi-final of the inaugural W Gold Cup.

But she is also wary that they have not yet had to play a high ranked women’s nation in the competition and that in their quarter final against Costa Rica they were profligate in front of goal.

US muscle out Colombia 3-0 and head to San Diego for Canada showdown

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:12:54 +0000

February 3 – In a bad tempered quarter final, particularly in the first half, the USA beat Colombia 3-0 in the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The US now move on to face Canada in the semi-finals in San Diego on Wednesday.

After having been picked apart by Mexico in their final group game, this result went a long way to re-establishing the USA’s reputation against a nation that excelled at the 2023 World Cup and pushed Brazil close in their group at the W Gold Cup a week ago.

Mexico take the hard route to Brazil semi-final with 3-2 win over Paraguay

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:35:11 +0000

March 3 – In an entertaining quarter final at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Mexico dominated and then only just managed to scrape past a brave Paraguayan challenge 3-2 that in the second half pushed the Mexicans to the brink of disaster.

Two goals from Jacqueline Ovalle secured the win that in the end was far from straightforward as Paraguay, as they had done in qualifying for the quarter finals, saved their best for last.

Zanaretto brace as Brazil cruise past Argentina into semis

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:05:40 +0000

March 2 – Brazil turned on the style for a 5-1 win over Argentina at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to secure their semi-final spot in San Diego next week where they will face either Mexico or Paraguay.

A brace from Bia Zanaretto powered the win which would have been a lot more but for goalkeeper Laurina Oliveros’s commanding performance. Argentina scored a late consolation goal, but Brazil scored their fifth in added time as if to emphasise their dominance.

Extra-time drama sees Canada squeeze past Costa Rica to the W Gold Cup semi-finals

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 03:16:46 +0000

March 2 – It took extra time, but Canada eventually dispatched Costa Rica 1-0 in a one-sided quarter final that saw the Canadians throw everything they had at Costa Rica’s defence and their outstanding goalkeeper Daniela Solera.

To get to that point though it took the save of the match from Canada’s Kailen Sheridan in added time to keep the Canadians from suffering a shock defeat.

In the end it was their inspirational captain Jessie Fleming who drove them into the semi-finals later this week in San Diego,

W Gold Cup enters quarter finals with reputations on the line and the old world order under threat

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:44:05 +0000

March 1 – After nine consecutive days of group games, the W Gold Cup moves into its quarter final stage this weekend with two days of double headers at the BMO Stadium, the Los Angeles home of Angels FC of the NWSL and LAFC of the MLS.

The last eight has all four Conmebol guest teams qualified alongside Concacaf’s leading four nations in the women’s game.

Ranked by their group performances with 1 vs 8,

Heartbreak for Puerto Rico as draw pulls Costa Rica’s name first for last quarter final slot

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:53:06 +0000

February 28 – Costa Rica dramatically made it through to the quarter finals of the W Gold Cup, not through outperforming opponents on the pitch but through a head-to-head draw with Puerto Rico.

When the final game of the Group C matches completed in Houston, Texas, Paraguay’s 3-2 win over El Salvador gave them the second place and automatic qualification for the last eight, pushing Costa Rica into third position.

The two best placed third-place finishers qualify for the quarter finals.

Last gasp Paraguay grab quarter final slot with Martinez hattrick in 3-2 win over El Salvador

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:00:03 +0000

February 28 – A Jessica Martinez hattrick saw Paraguay through into the quarter finals of the W Gold Cup, coming from behind to beat El Salvador 3-2 in added time in the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

Paraguay went into the final game in Group C needing a point to qualify for the next round but with eight minutes left looked to be going home.

El Salvador had taken a 2-1 lead and Paraguay went from being a point ahead of Costa Rica to being behind them on goal difference.

Canada brush Costa Rica aside to head into quarter final draw as top ranked nation

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:25:46 +0000

February 28 – Canada beat Costa Rica in the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston in their final group game of Group C to secure qualification ahead of Brazil for the quarter finals as the top ranked nation.

They will now face Costa Rica again as the eight ranked qualifier on Saturday in Los Angeles. Having finished third in the group Costa Rica were on the same points, goal difference and number of cards as Puerto Rico.

Brazil turn on the style to top Group C with a 100% record

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:02:17 +0000

February 28 – Brazil made it three wins out of three as they topped Group B at the W Gold Cup with a 5-0 win over Panama.

On a chilly evening at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego Brazil strolled, sometimes swaggered, through Panama’s defence. They have yet to concede a goal and certainly haven’t scored as many as they would have liked, but against Panama they matched fluidity with goals, even so 5-0 still flattered Panama.

Colombia secure quarter final slot. Parsimonious Puerto Rico look set to join them

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:00:38 +0000

February 27 – Colombia secured second place in Group B with a 2-0 win over Puerto Rico in the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Goals from their stand out strikers Maria Usme and Linda Caicedo dispatched a Puerto Rican side who had qualified through the preliminary play-offs and now restricted world ranked 23 Colombia to two goals to follow a 1-0 loss to Brazil, world ranked 11 and beating 2023 World Cup finalists Panama 2-1.

Mexico turn World Rankings upside down with history making win over USA

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 13:37:23 +0000

February 26 – Mexico shocked the USA with a 2-0 win in the Dignity Health Park stadium in Carson, Los Angeles, on a stunning night of Gold Cup football. This may be the inaugural W Gold Cup but it is already delivering the drama, emotion and surprises of the men’s version.

This was end-to-end women’s football at its best with two teams putting everything on the line. Mexico were magnificent. The USA in the end looked dumbfounded as goals by Jacqueline Orvalle and Scarlett Camberos knocked them off their perch.

Argentina brush past Dominican Republic to head for quarter finals

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 13:12:28 +0000

February 26 – Argentina closed out their group matches in the Dignity Health Park stadium in Carson, Los Angeles, with a 3-0 win over the Dominican Republic. It was less comfortable than they were probably expecting but still guarantees them progression to the quarter finals of the W Gold Cup this weekend.

It is a measure of how much Dominican Republic have improved over their three group games that, if it hadn’t been for a close offside call,

Leon hattrick ensures Canada ease past Paraguay into next round

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:17:29 +0000

February 25 – Canada controlled their second Group C match against Paraguay from start to finish in the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston to guarantee qualification for the knock out rounds that begin next weekend in Los Angeles.

A hattrick from Adriana Leon and a second W Gold Cup goal from starlet Olivia Smith put the game well beyond Paraguay.

Canada will have tougher and more testing games to come. Such has been the ease of their opening two group games it is difficult to assess how good this Canadian team is until those bigger challenges arrive.

Chinchilla double pushes Costa Rica past El Salvador for shot at quarter finals

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:03:20 +0000

February 26 – Costa Rica kept themselves in contention for a quarter final spot with a 2-0 win over a battling El Salvador. Both goals were breakaways scored by Priscilla Chinchilla.

Costa Rica and El Salvador were playing for a shot at second place in the group. A win for either would put them level with Paraguay on points and with a shot at the quarter finals.

Costa Rica face the tough task of getting something out of their final tie against Canada while El Salvador could still theoretically go though but would have to beat Paraguay by three goals and hope Canada beat Costa Rica by five.

Duda’s early strike to beat Colombia ignites Brazil’s W Gold Cup challenge

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 07:11:30 +0000

February 24 – In an exciting end-to-end encounter at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego Brazil beat Colombia 1-0 with a Duda Santos goal to secure their spot in the knockout rounds and send a message to the USA women’s team that they mean business.

The two South American footballing giants delivered a thriller. It was a game of passion and commitment with no lack of skill from two of the world’s best women’s teams.

Puerto Rico continue to defy the odds, stunning Panama with added time winner

Paul Nicholson — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 03:03:39 +0000

February 24 – Puerto Rico delivered one of those Gold Cup nights at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego that will live long in the memory, stunning Panama with a 2-1 win that positions them for qualification for the quarter finals at their first appearance at a major finals.

Puerto Rico’s journey in the W Gold Cup has been magnificent. From a surprise win over Haiti to qualify for the group stages from the preliminary round play-in,

US pace and power proves too much for Argentina as 4-0 win sends warning to rivals

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:45:12 +0000

February 24 – The USA put four past Argentina at the Dignity Health Park stadium, scoring three in eight minutes in the first half, to stamp their authority on the W Gold Cup and guarantee progression to the quarter finals.

Jaedyn Shaw scored twice and veteran Alex Morgan added a third in a blitz that effectively ended this match just when it was starting to warm up. It was an impressive display of pace,

Mexico dismantle Dominican Republic with an 8-0 drubbing

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:33:32 +0000

February 23 – Mexico dispatched Dominican Republic 8-0 in the second round of Group A games to put behind their failure to score against Argentina well and truly behind them, and warm them up for what will be a big night at the Dignity Health Stadium on Monday against the USA.

Mexico had disappointed in their opener against Argentina, starting well but after failing to take a procession of chances allowed Argentina into the game.

Canada ease into 2024 tournament mode with 6-0 win over El Salvador

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:45:58 +0000

February 23 – Canada eased passed El Salvador 6-0 at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston in the opening game of their W Gold Cup campaign.

The Olympic Champions, ranked 10th in the world, are the heavyweight contenders in Group C. This win was useful preparation for the bigger challenges ahead. They were on the score sheet within two minutes, were 3-0 up at half time and strolled to 6-0 by full time.

Paraguay muscle Costa Rica out of Group C opener

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 12:27:36 +0000

February 23 – Paraguay opened Group C with a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

Paraguay qualified for the W Gold Cup as one of the Conmebol guests by finishing fourth in the 2022 Copa America Feminina. They lost in the World Cup 2023 qualifying play-off’s to Panama but are a fast developing women’s team.

Costa Rica are ranked 43 in the world, seven places ahead of Paraguay and had the benefit of playing at the 2023 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand,

New look US Women’s team is still the oldest squad at the W Gold Cup

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:24:12 +0000

February 22 – The US women’s team, undergoing a regeneration of their squad as they work out who make selection for the Olympics this summer, still have the oldest team competing at the W Gold Cup.

With an average squad age of 27 years and 250 days, the US are almost 5 years older than the tournament’s youngest team, the Dominican Republic (22 years 174 days).

The US opened their W Gold Cup campaign with a 5-0 win over the Dominican Republic.

Brazil sneak over the line as Puerto Rico give them a lesson in how to be a hero

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 05:18:03 +0000

February 22 – Brazil stuttered to a 1-0 win over Puerto Rico to open their W Gold Cup campaign on what for them was a chilly evening for the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, but for lovers of the beautiful game a heart warming reminder of why this is truly the world’s game.

There are 92 world ranking positions between Brazil and Puerto Rico. For 80 minutes of this Group B encounter those positions meant nothing.

Colombia open Group B in style with 6-0 dismantling of Panama

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 03:33:05 +0000

February 22 – In the last late afternoon sun at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego Colombia wasted no time establishing their credentials for a serious Gold Cup challenge with a statement 6-0 win against Panama.

It would have been a lot more if not for VAR, the post, the bar and the impressive Yenith Bailey in Panama’s goal.

Colombia played attractive possession-based football. Slicing through Panama’s too often static back lines with neat passing,

US and VAR combine to hand a 5-0 beating to Dominican Republic

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 02:01:38 +0000

February 21 – It was a very wet night in California and while most were predicting it to rain goals at the Dignity Health Park Stadium, the reality of women’s football’s global warming was a little different.

The US ran out 5-0 winners, but if it hadn’t been for VAR’s double intervention in the last five minutes and added time it would have been 3-0.

The Dominican Republic arrived on the big stage following a 1-0 win over Guyana in the preliminary play-off last Saturday.