Women's World Cup Du Jour: Australia is on notice, and Cristiane is on fire
This is Yahoo Soccer’s daily Women’s World Cup recap. From the best performances to the buzziest moments, we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing from France.
Key result
Widely regarded as one of the top teams in the world, with a striker some regard as the best in the world, Australia is suddenly playing from behind after just one matchday. Sam Kerr cleaned up a penalty to score her first goal at the Women’s World Cup, but Sara Gama and Italy’s defense mostly maintained their discipline and denied Australia good chances. That left room for the Matildas to be exposed at the other end, and they obliged by consistently losing marks, playing high lines and conceding the equalizer on a howler of a giveaway.
Credit Barbara Bonansea for her brace and the Italians for their win, but this result was more about Australia. Two-thirds of the teams in the tournament advance out of the group stage, so it’s not time for the Matildas to panic. But they next face Brazil, which expects to get the injured Marta back, so their room for error has shrunk considerably.
Standout player
Cristiane, Brazil
With all the chatter about Marta’s injury and Formiga’s seventh World Cup appearance, Cristiane swiped the headlines by becoming the ninth player in the history of the competition to reach the 10-goal mark for her career.
Her first goal, a header from the middle of the box, showcased exceptional power and technique, while her second and third goals cleared the line by the type of thin margins you need to own at major tournaments. Oh, and Brazil still hasn’t conceded a group stage goal at the World Cup in 16 years.
Best goal
Cristiane, Brazil
Who doesn’t love an inch-perfect free kick?
Jamaican goalkeeper Sydney Schneider set up the wall to Cristiane’s left while cheating to her right. Neither move mattered:
THERE'S THE HAT TRICK! 🎩
Cristiane adds to Brazil's lead and becomes the 9th player in #FIFAWWC history to score 10 goals. pic.twitter.com/4qESJWtFlP— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2019
Headlines from the touchlines
USWNT players answer questions on Hope Solo
Reffing controversies exposing flawed rules
England convincing despite narrow win over Scotland
Kerr honors Australian legend with goal celebration
Monday’s games
Argentina vs. Japan, Group D, Noon ET
Canada vs. Cameroon, Group E, 3 p.m. ET