Women's World Cup power rankings: United States and France out on top, England on the rise
Who looks best-placed to be crowned champions in France?
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2019 Women’s World Cup enters the quarter-final stage on Thursday, with only eight teams remaining in France after safely negotiating the last 16.
The United States, the reigning world champions, remain favourites to win the tournament but only progressed from the previous round with a hard-fought win over Spain.
Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and co. will now play hosts France in Paris, in a match-up that would be worthy of the final itself.
France impressed by overcoming Brazil, though they needed extra time and an Amandine Henry goal in order to overcome Marta and her team-mates.
England are yet to fully find their rhythm but it is hard to argue with four wins from four games. Phil Neville’s side were tested in more ways than one against Cameroon.
How do we rank the 16 teams to have won or lost in the last round and who looks best placed to win the whole thing?
Women’s World Cup power rankings
1. United States
Bailed out by two Rapinoe penalties in their most unconvincing display of the tournament to date, though remain top of our standings on the strength of their group stage displays. Beat France in the quarter-finals and they will be overwhelming favourites.
2. France
Handed a difficult last-16 tie and only just came through in extra time against Brazil. It will get no easier in the last eight against the United States, though if any side can hurt the reigning champions, it is the hosts.
3. Germany
You hate to use the word ‘efficient’ but Germany keep doing enough to comfortably overcome all obstacles without making jaws drop. Is what we have seen so far all there is? Or is there still plenty left in the tank?
4. England
The controversy surrounding the victory over Cameroon overshadowed another performance that was not without its flaws. Will have to play better to progress past Norway, let alone challenge the main contenders.
5. Netherlands
Enjoyed revenge over Japan, having suffered elimination at the same stage to the same opponent four years ago, but required a controversial late penalty to record their fourth win in four games. Talented attack may ultimately be let down by vulnerabilities at the back.
6. Norway
Progressed to the knock-out stages comfortably, troubled hosts France in their only defeat, and could – perhaps should – have beaten Australia in normal time. Caroline Graham Hansen is a threat to any team. England will not intimidate them.
7. Sweden
Nothing spectacular, and it will need to show more to overcome Germany in the quarter-finals. Still, Peter Gerhardsson’s side are in the last eight on merit, having showed patience and purpose when dispatching Canada.
8. Italy
The tournament’s surprise package are into the quarter-finals of their first World Cup in 20 years. More than held their own in the groups, coming out on top of the toughest draw, but a meeting with the Netherlands will probably be a bridge too far.
9. Brazil
Eliminated. Deserved to go further, having taken six points from the toughest group and taken the hosts to extra time, but France proved to have too much for Marta and her team-mates.
10. Canada
Eliminated. Leaving so early is a disappointment given their no. 5 world ranking, though you would never have guessed it from their conservative approach. Rarely looked like scoring against Sweden, the missed penalty aside.
11. Japan
Eliminated. Reaching a third successive final was always likely to be beyond this squad, though will still depart with a hint of disappointment after a cruel last-16 defeat. Their exit meant there are no Asian sides in the quarter-finals for the first time in Women’s World Cup history.
12. Spain
Eliminated. Saved their best performance of the tournament until their last game. On another day, could have upset an out-of-sorts United States but must add incision to their patient possession game.
13. Australia
Eliminated. Entertainers throughout, responsible for three of the tournament’s best games so far, though never looked long for this World Cup. Despite her penalty miss, Sam Kerr is a loss to proceedings.
14. China
Eliminated. Once a force in the women’s game, defeat to Italy reflected their diminished status. A little unlucky to be placed in one of the toughest groups and thereby only qualify in third.
15. Nigeria
Eliminated. The meek exit at the hands of Germany was a mismatch, but Thomas Dennerby’s side arguably deserved more from their group stage performances having tested both France and Norway.
16. Cameroon
Eliminated. Deserve credit for reaching the knock-out stages when unfancied, though will be remembered for their conduct and loss of composure in their defeat to England.
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