Six Unforgettable Moments Of 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Written by Oluwaseun Oyediji

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is over but the memories of the tournament lingers on our minds and will continue to in years to come ahead of the next tournament in 2027.

We flashback to remind our readers about the top six unforgettable moments of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in no particular order.

First victory for New Zealand at the World Cup

World Cup co-host, New Zealand recorded their first-ever win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a stunning 1-0 win over 1995 world champions, Norway in the first game of the tournament.

Despite the win, the team was unable to make it out of the group stage, a recurring decimal at every edition of the tournament as far as New Zealand is concerned.

Advancement of three African teams

For the first time, three African teams made it to the knockout stage of the World Cup.

Debutant, Morocco made it to the Round of 16 during their first appearance by its second placed finish, making two time world champions, Germany crash out of the group stage.

Atlas Lions had lost 6-0 to Germany in the first group stage but bounced back with 1-0 wins over South Korea and Colombia respectively.

African champions, South Africa, making their second appearance at the tournament also made it to the Round of 16 from a group having Argentina, Italy, and Sweden.

Nine time African champions, Nigeria kept three clean sheets in four games, playing European champions England to penalties before losing the knockout stage match.

For two consecutive tournament, Nigeria made it to the knockout stage of the tournament after achieving similar feat in 2019. For the first time, the West African side played three group games without losing any at the tournament.

Germany’s Elimination

For the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Germany failed to make it out of the group stage with a win, a draw, and a loss.

A 6-0 win over Morocco was followed by 2-1 loss to Colombia and a 1-1 draw with South Korea.

The team had won two FIFA Women’s World Cup and failed to add to their world title in Australia and New Zealand.

Penalty between Australia and France

Australia reached their first World Cup semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against France.

After a goalless 120 minutes, it was spot kicks that ultimately were called in to decide this tense encounter.

Mackenzie Arnold had a chance to win it with Australia’s fifth penalty but saw her effort cannon back off the post.

Clare Hunt had another chance to win it after Kenza Dali saw her retaken penalty saved again, but also saw her spot kick saved by Solene Durand.

Eventually, Vicki Becho’s miss would allow Cortnee Vine Australia’s third chance to win the shootout. She converted with the 20th penalty to send Australia through in front of a frenzied home crowd.

Read Also – Goalkeeping Records At FIFA Women’s World Cup

Lina Hurtig winning penalty for Sweden against USWNT

After 120 minutes and a tense penalty shoot-out, Sweden progressed in stunning circumstances while the four-time champions are out. It was the USA’s earliest ever exit at the competition, and they will be left wondering how it has happened after dominating the game.

Zerica Musovic made save after save for Sweden, pulling off great stops to deny Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan, who also hit the bar with a first-half header. Peter Gerhardsson’s side battled through to force penalties, where after the first five penalties were scored, a string of misses led to sudden death.

Kelley O’Hara, who had not yet touched the ball after being introduced just before the shoot-out, struck the outside of the post before Lina Hurtig won it in extraordinary fashion.

Her penalty was saved by Alyssa Naeher at first, but the ball came back down and went over the line despite the USA goalkeeper’s best efforts, with a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check ruling she had not scrambled it out in time as Sweden progress.

Word Cup Champions, Spain

At the first time of asking, Spain are Women’s World Cup winners in what is just their third appearance at the competition.

The off-pitch issues for Jorge Vilda’s side have not troubled La Roja on the pitch, and they have created history in Sydney.

For Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses, the final proved a step too far for England in their quest to become world champions.

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