In the first week of FIFA World Cup 2011 Germany, new soccer nations are challenging leaders Germany and USA, with France becoming a surprise favorite. Brazil, powered by Marta, is inconsistent but undeniably dangerous.
Japan is shining for their tsunami-devastated homeland and leading Women's World Cup with six goals. Three of those goals were scored in the 4-0 victory over Mexico in a hat trick by Honore Sawa, who plays in the United States' WPS. Two goals each were scored France's Gaetane Thiney, Equatorial Guinea's Anonman, and by Brazil's Marta and Rosana.
World Cup Germany is smashing records in ticket sales and television ratings. The final is sold out, as was the opener with a record-breaking 74,000 in attendance at Berlin’s Olympiastadion and over 14.1 million Germans alone watching on TV. Over 700,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament, boosting Germany's hopes of hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics in Munich.
Nations advancing, eliminated
Going into the third and final group match, six nations have secured a spot in the eight-team quarterfinals and six have been eliminated. Four nations are fighting for life, with England and Australia favored over Mexico and Norway. Mexico can still progress to the quarter-finals with three points but only if Japan beat England and the Mexicans emerge with a better goal differential.
The USA advanced with a 2-0 win over Korea DPR and a 3-0 win over Colombia and now conclude Group C play versus Sweden on Wednesday, July 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The quarterfinals will be played on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday July 10. Click here for the complete schedule.
Advancing
France, Germany, Japan, USA, Sweden, Brazil
TBD
England, Mexico, Australia, Norway
Eliminated
Nigeria, Canada, New Zealand, Korea DPR, Colombia, and Equatorial Guinea
Group standings before final match
GROUP A
Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
France 2 2 0 0 5 0 6
Germany 2 2 0 0 3 1 6
Nigeria 2 0 0 2 0 2 0
Canada 2 0 0 2 1 6 0
GROUP B
Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Japan 2 2 0 0 6 1 6
England 2 1 1 0 3 2 4
Mexico 2 0 1 1 1 5 1
N. Zealand 2 0 0 2 2 4 0
GROUP C
Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
USA 2 2 0 0 5 0 6
Sweden 2 2 0 0 2 0 6
Korea DPR 2 0 0 2 0 3 0
Colombia 2 0 0 2 0 4 0
GROUP D
Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Brazil 2 2 0 0 4 0 6
Australia 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
Norway 2 1 0 1 1 3 3
Eq Guinea 2 0 0 2 2 4 0
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