By: Ray Zhao

In the past few days, not one but two South American teams delivered performances that stunned Women’s World Cup favorites. The excitement from fans caused cheers that were heard up and down the Australian coast near Sydney and Brisbane, where the 2023 Women’s World Cup is being held.

After France just barely edged out Brazil 2-1, the Group H Colombia versus Germany match really took the cake. Colombia won 2-1 after suffering a 6-0 loss to Germany just a few weeks ago. Now first in Group H, Colombia’s two remarkable goals were scored by Linda Caicedo and Maya Ramirez. Germany’s lone goal came from a penalty after Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez tripped a player who was about to score.

Germany, ranked second in the world, finished third in Group H and went home before the knockouts, the first time it has done so at a Women’s World Cup. Morocco, which scored a historic first win over South Korea last week, managed to clinch second in the group.

The Brazilians also did very well when they faced the world’s fifth-rated team. France, which is first in Group F, still managed to beat Brazil 2-1, though in a nail-biting fashion. Jamaica is second in the Group, while Brazil is third.

With the USA on the decline and an expanded field of 32 teams, World Cup matches are getting closer and closer. New Zealand, which is a co-host of the Cup, beat Norway, which was ranked 14 places higher. But New Zealand was promptly upset by the Philippines, which ranked 20 places below the Football Ferns.

Going into the single elimination bracket, there are many surprises in the lineup and more are certain to come.