Women’s World Cup Briefing: Australia’s Big Save

Plus: Women's World Cup: Australia Gets the Victory It Needed Against Canada

ADVERTISEMENT July 31, 2023, 11:00 a.m. Eastern time Australia players celebrating their fourth goal.William West/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images By Tariq Panja It really could not have gone better for Australia in the end. After all the stress and the worry of recent days, all the hand-wringing and the finger-pointing and the fears that the World Cup might lose not just one but both of its co-hosts in 24 hours, Australia took care of business against Canada and put everyone's minds at ease. It scored one goal, and then another and another and another. It never had to call on Sam Kerr and her injured left calf. It never had to find out what would become of a World Cup without its biggest draw. It never had to answer for how its high hopes had collapsed as its campaign went so very wrong. (That last question is all too relevant for Canada.) The World Cup's drama isn't over, of course. The United States faces Portugal on Tuesday looking to write its own ticket to the next stage, and England will return to the field after yet another injury to a key player. But on Monday the stage was Australia's, and it delivered. It saved its World Cup, and maybe the World Cup itself. Featured Today Cameron Spencer/Getty Images   Women's World Cup: Australia Gets the Victory It Needed Against Canada Sam Kerr stayed on the bench, but Australia did not need her in a 4-0 victory. Japan cruised past Spain, though both had already clinched spots in the round of 16. Read this story Latest Results Group B FULL TIME Canada 0 Australia 4 FULL TIME Republic of Ireland 0 Nigeria 0 Group C FULL TIME Costa Rica 1 Zambia 3 FULL TIME Japan 4 Spain 0 Next Matches Group D TUESDAY 7:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME | PERTH RECTANGULAR STADIUM Haiti Denmark TUESDAY 7:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME | HINDMARSH STADIUM China PR England Group E TUESDAY 3:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME | EDEN PARK Portugal United States TUESDAY 3:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME | DUNEDIN STADIUM Vietnam Netherlands More World Cup Coverage A New Era of Soccer Moms Navigates a Rapidly Changing Game Women have long blended motherhood and elite sports. But as soccer expands its support systems, it is also demanding ever more of its players. The Gaps Get Smaller as the World Cup Gets Larger Expanding the Women's World Cup was a good idea. Just not for the reasons FIFA thinks. Megan Rapinoe Is Not Going Quietly Relegated to a reserve role in her fourth World Cup, the outspoken U.S. forward said she has plenty left to give. And that she's still expecting to win it all. See more stories Receive alerts about the latest sports news as it happens with the New York Times app. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Women's World Cup Briefing from The New York Times. To stop receiving Women's World Cup Briefing, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018