As we are halfway through the group stage phase, let us take another look at the 32 teams after their two matches.

1) USA, Group E (No change)

For the first time since 2015, the USA has drawn a game in the Women’s World Cup. In their 2019 final rematch, history did not repeat itself for the USA as a Lindsey Horan header would only cancel out the Netherlands’ goal from the first half.

The draw also sees their 10-game win streak come to a close which they should recontinue against Portugal.

2) Sweden, Group G (+ 2)

With a wake-up call after their match against South Africa, Sweden came out all guns blazing as they put 5 goals past the Italians in Wellington. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that Italy had more possession. With a game to go, they look set to finish the group thanks to their superior goal difference as a result of the win.

3) England, Group D (No change)

A far stronger performance than what was produced against Haiti sees England confirm their spot in the knockouts which appears likely to be first. A Lauren James shot from outside the box in the sixth minute would ultimately be the decider for them.

They controlled the match throughout finishing with 71% possession which is quite the feat against a top-15-ranked country. They look to stay undefeated when they play China next.

4) Spain, Group C (+ 1)

The Spanish golden generation is very much living up to its billing so far. Although a predictable win against Zambia, the manner of their 5-0 demolition shows how much of a threat they pose going into the knockouts which they secured as a result.

They won’t have much rest thou as they still playing for positioning against Japan to decide who finishes top.

5) Germany, Group H (- 3)

An 89th-minute penalty from their captain Alexandra Popp looked like it had saved Germany from embarrassment and gives them a point heading into the final matchday.

Despite trailing Colombia for part of the game, they seemed likely to get past sooner rather than later. However, a 97th-minute winner from Colombia has resulted in the biggest upset so far in the tournament and may deny them the top stop in Group H.

6) Canada, Group B (+ 2)

While off to a slow start for Canada, they would slowly get themselves into the game. They did benefit from a very lucky own goal right at the end of the first half tying the match at the half.

In that second half, they were the better team and quickly took care of the lead with Adriana Leon scoring in the 53rd minute. They get themselves back into the knockout spots heading into the final group game.

7) France, Group F (+ 2)

With 10 minutes to go, the score tied 1 all, France’s position within the group was looking shaky sitting on just two points. In this moment, French captain Wendie Renard stepped up to the plate, heading the ball into the goal in the 83rd minute giving France the lead and the three points to put them top of the group.

And with Panama next, should look likely to finish top.

8) Japan, Group C (+ 2)

Japan became the first team to make the knockouts after they took care of Costa Rica in Dunedin. Two goals within the first 30 minutes would be enough to get the three points.

With their dominant performance, it now sets up a Group C showdown with Spain to decide who finishes first and who finishes second.

9) Netherlands, Group E (+ 3)

While not quite the full revenge that they would have wanted, the Netherlands still manage to get a point against the USA. The 2019 finalists fired the first shot with a Jill Roord rocket going into the bottom left corner to give them the lead in the 17th minute.

They did control the majority of the game through possession, however, they weren’t able to get a decent look at the goal.

10) Brazil, Group F (- 3)

With a chance to secure their berth into the knockouts, to have conceded so late against France and to lose the match would have been frustrating. Particularly after tying up in the second half through Debhina scoring from close range. It now results in a deciding match against Jamaica to likely decide which one goes through.

11) Australia, Group B (- 5)

No Sam Kerr (for now), but there are some worries now for the Matildas. In a game they were expected to win by the majority of supporters, they now find themselves in a precarious position heading into their final matchday. With their 3-2 loss to Nigeria, they are now fallen out of the knockout spots.

Their game against Canada now becomes a knockout game in itself. Win and therein, draw and hope results go their way or lose and it’s all over.

12) Colombia, Group H (+ 4)

Colombia has flown under most people’s radar coming into the tournament. But an upset 2-1 win with a 97th-minute winning header from Manuela Vanegas now sees them atop Group H.

While they had limited chances, they certainly made the most of them with Linda Caicedo, two days after what appeared to be her collapsing in training scoring the opener as well as Vanegas’s goal. They certainly make the Group H picture far more interesting.

13) Denmark, Group D (- 2)

Denmark should count themselves lucky that England only just scored one goal. Particularly given the number of times that England managed to break down their lines with a 65% conversion rate against them.

While they only have Haiti left to play and should still make it to the knockouts, there might be some doubts now about how far they can go.

14) Switzerland, Group A (No change)

Switzerland remains in the box seat to make the knockouts out of Group A. While they would they were hoping to lock their place in there after the Norway game, a draw still serves them well regarding the group. They have far more control of their destiny than the other teams in the group but could still fall out.

15) Norway, Group A (No change)

In a fairly even match, Norway finally gets a point in their Women’s World Cup campaign. They had more chances at goal compared to Switzerland as shown by their 13 shots to 6 at goal. But beyond that metric, they were very much even thus making the draw warranted.

They now have a clear road to the knockouts, beat the Philippines and it’s probably more likely than not they do. Who would have thought that after that loss to New Zealand?

16) Italy, Group G (- 3)

The scoreline makes the result look far worse than it probably was for Italy, but 5-0 is still 5-0. The Azzurri had the moments, particularly towards the start of the game.

But conceding 3 goals off corners is what would bring them down. They are still in second place on points and so long as they don’t lose against South Africa, they should get through.

17) Nigeria, Group B (+ 7)

The Super Falcons have now perched themselves at the top of Group B after their 3-2 win against Australia. Goals from Kanu, Ohale and substitute Oshoala would help play a spoiler to the co-hosts as they celebrated into the Brisbane night.

It will be the same Brisbane night that they play Ireland to secure their spot into the Round of 16 and potentially finish on top.

18) Portugal, Group E (+ 3)

Portugal now has their first points at the Women’s World Cup courtesy of Telma Encarnação and Francisca Nazareth.

The two goal scorers would give them the lead early on in the first half which they would maintain throughout the match. Their dominant performance as shown by 29 shots and 70% possession keeps them alive as they take on the USA.

19) Jamaica, Group F (+ 4)

Jamaica takes an even bigger step in the realm of the Women’s World Cup. From their first point against France to now their first win against Panama without their captain Khadija Shaw in the side.

The goal from Allyson Swaby in the 56th minute was the difference maker between the two sides as Jamaica was able to get more opportunities within the final third. They play Brazil next to likely decide who joins France into the knockouts.

20) China, Group D (No change)

While China still manages to get a win against Haiti, it would come with a cost. A red card just before the half-hour mark for Zhang Rui put China on the back foot for the majority of the match.

They become the second team in Women’s World Cup history to win a game despite a teammate being sent off. This would be courtesy of a Wang Shuang penalty. They now have to do better than Denmark’s result to be able to get through.

21) New Zealand, Group A (- 2)

With a golden opportunity to secure their place in the Round of 16 against the Philippines, an opponent they had beaten last September many were already pencilling the Football Ferns’s place.

But a Sarina Bolden header has now thrown a spanner into their works. It could have easily been drawing had Hannah Wilkinson not been offside in the 70th minute. But, they have it all to do now in Dunedin against Switzerland having to win.

22) Ireland, Group B (- 4)

An Olimpico goal from their captain Katie McCabe in the first 5 minutes had the Irish believing of a potential upset against Canada as they looked the goods in the first ten minutes.

The longer the game went on, the more Ireland was outplayed resulting in the conceding of an own goal just before the half. Another goal at the start of the second would ultimately see Ireland be eliminated from the tournament with a game left.

23) South Korea, Group H (- 6)

Losing now to Colombia and Morocco has meant that South Korea has officially been knocked out of the tournament. They had far more chances in the game compared to Morocco having 16 shots to 10.

However, none of those chances for South Korea were on target showing they weren’t able to make the most of them. With Germany left to play, South Korea will hope to salvage a point.

24) Philippines, Group A (+2)

A momentous occasion for the Philippines with their first-ever win in a senior FIFA tournament. These are the games that are good for the soul. And while yes New Zealand had more chances and probably should have won that game, to see the joy and euphoria on the faces of the players and coaching staff after the final whistle was. And who knows, another upset win and they must continue the fairytale in the knockouts.

25) Argentina, Group G (- 3)

An escape of some kind for Argentina as they get a draw against South Africa. Despite the evenness of their chances on goal, they probably should have done more given the increased possession and the pressure they placed on the South African defence. They now require a win against Sweden if they want to progress which may just be a tall order for them.

26) South Africa, Group G (- 1)

For the second game in a row, South Africa had the chance to play spoiler but gets undone right at the end. They were 2-0 up with 20 minutes left but goals from Sophia Braun and Romina Nunez in the space of five minutes would result in a draw.

They were certainly more competitive compared to the Sweden game, but it was a missed opportunity against Argentina not to get 3 points.

27) Haiti, Group D (+ 1)

With a slight bit of optimism, Haiti looked likely to challenge China. And challenge they did. For the majority of the game and particularly after the red card they seemed likely to score which they appeared to have done in the 42nd minute. But they fell short, conceding a penalty that sees them eliminated from the group stage.

28) Vietnam, Group E (- 1)

Vietnam didn’t seem to be able to get going which now sees them eliminated from the tournament. They just weren’t able to generate chances with only 25 final third entries compared to Portugal who had 29 just from the left side channel alone.

They will hope to generate a few more opportunities as they finish up their tournament against the Netherlands.

29) Morocco, Group H (+ 3)

The Atlas Lionesses had already achieved history by being here. They can now add a bit more being the first Arab nation to win a game at the Women’s World Cup after beating South Korea. An Ibtissam Jraïdi header in the 6th minute would be enough to get by.

They do have a chance of getting through to the knockouts but their goal difference will likely be their stumbling block from stopping them.

30) Costa Rica, Group C (- 1)

Las Ticas again for the second game in a row were dominated by a far superior opposition that sees them out. Again, the scoreline was probably generous only having two goals conceded on them particularly given the amount of opportunities that Japan had. Hopefully, against Zambia, they will be able to show their competitiveness and finish their run on a positive note.

31) Panama, Group F (No change)

Panama certainly had their opportunities against the Reggae Girlz by holding more possession than their opponents. However, they were kept to a clean sheet which sees them eliminated from the tournament. It was always going to be a tough hill to climb for them in this group and that is what has proven over the two games with another to go.

32) Zambia, Group C (- 2)

Back-to-back 5-0 losses for Zambia would not have been the way they would have wanted to have been eliminated from the knockouts. While they made improvements from their game against Japan, the result was unfortunately the same. While it may be a dead rubber, they will want to show their capabilities against Costa Rica and gain their first-ever points in the tournament