Canada’s quest for a first World Cup title is still very much alive after recording a narrow one-goal victory against Switzerland on Sunday. The hosts will look to seal a place in the semifinals for the first time in 12 years when they take on England in a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash this coming Saturday.
Who will emerge victorious in this much-anticipated showdown? Read on below for a complete breakdown of this blockbuster matchup and while you’re at it, you can check out our World Cup quarterfinal previews of USA vs. China and Germany vs. France.
Canada barged into the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 2003 with a nerve-wracking 1-0 victory over Switzerland on Sunday. Forward Josee Belanger scored the winning goal for the hosts who will next face England in the last eight. The 29-year-old has now scored six goals in 34 international appearances for Canada.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Canadians’ victory wouldn’t be possible, though, without the heroics of their goalkeeper Erin McLeod. She helped seal the famous win with a brilliant save in the 77th minute off Vanessa Bermauer who was wide open after a defensive letdown. McLeod, who nabbed Player of the Match honors in this game, made a couple more late saves to preserve Canada’s historic victory.
Key to the hosts’ deep run in this tournament thus far has been their stellar defense. They have allowed just a single goal in their first four matches here in the Women’s World Cup, the fewest in the entire tournament. Canada’s 1-0 conquest of Switzerland was its third clean sheet in this competition.
For the Canadians to book a spot in the semifinals, they will need to dictate the tempo of the match against England. After controlling just 46% of the possession in their last group game against the Netherlands, the Canadians made it a point to control the midfield battle this time around against Switzerland. The Canadians had 50% of the ball in their round of 16 match and that helped them establish a 7-5 advantage in shot attempts against the Swiss.
Canada will take heart in the fact that it beat England in their last meeting prior to the World Cup. The Canadians edged England, 1-0, on a brilliant first-time strike from Sophie Schmidt on May 30.
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Betting on England
England booked a place in the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a heart-stopping 2-1 win against Norway on Monday. It was a fantastic victory for the Three Lionesses who recorded their first ever World Cup knockout win.
Things didn’t start out well for the English as Solveig Gulbrandsen flicked in the opener for Norway in the 54th minute. England equalized shortly thereafter, though, with a Steph Houghton header in the 61st minute before Lucy Bronze delivered a dramatic game-winner with a stunning long-range strike 14 minutes from time.
With the victory, the Lionesses now have the opportunity to better the quarterfinal defeats they suffered in each of their three previous World Cups. They will have their work cut out for them, though, in the next round as lying in wait in the last eight is the host nation Canada. England won’t be fazed by that matchup, one bit, though, as it has fared extremely well against Canada in the past.
In fact, the English have won four of their last five meetings against the Canadians. They emerged victorious in their only match against Canada in the Women’s World Cup, beating them 3-2 in the 1995 edition. For England to duplicate that feat this coming Saturday, it needs to impose its will on the offensive end. England has scored six goals in this competition, five of those coming from open play.
Their attacking intent was in full display in their comeback win against Norway, with the Lionesses recording 12 shot attempts. The onus now is on lone striker Toni Duggan to pick up the scoring cudgels for England. Duggan has 14 goals in 29 international caps for England but surprisingly hasn’t scored a single goal in her opening four matches here in this competition.
Writer’s Prediction
Canada (+106) keeps its World Cup dreams alive with a nail-biting 2-1 win.
