World Cup '23: Last gasp of the groups
The final round of games in the World Cup group stage begin overnight for those watching from the USA. Before they kick-off, here's the six I'm most excited for
Ah, the final round of group-stage games! What sweet chaos awaits us? Hopefully, not the US blundering out.
Though, mathematically it’s possible. Portugal is no withering wallflower. And Vlatko Andonovski Is clearly an agent hired to thwart the cause.
With five teams already nixed from the knockouts, and two of them in Group C (Spain and Japan have not been messing around), all but one group remains contested by various margins as they prep for their last stands.
As we bear down upon that last gasp, here’s six match-ups ensnaring my eye:
Australia vs Canada (Group B)
Rooting for the success of one’s neighbor makes the whole region look good (theoretically). But how does a person, a joy-loving person, cheer for sweet Australia’s journey to end here?
You don’t. (Apologies to our neighbors due north)
Sam Kerr’s absence from Australia's lineup has been among the more heart-wrenching headlines so far this summer.
In the injured absence of their global phenom of a goal-hunting star, the Matildas collected an initial three points against Ireland before conceding all of them against Nigeria, entering their true-last-gasp this Monday in third place.
Canada (in second place behind Nigeria) arrived in Oz looking to prove a point: their recent gold medal is no fluke.
They stuttered in their first game, then reminded us who they are against Irish debutantes. Like Brazil, this is the farewell tour of their long-time leader Christine Sinclair (an NWSL goal-scoring legend whose career goal count, rather ironically, is only surpassed by Sam Kerr).
To bid adieu to Sinclair’s sixth and final World Cup so early, feels somehow cruel.
But come Monday, cruelty will likely arrive at one or the other’s door. What’s assured is that a winner Monday would continue to the knockout rounds. A draw would depend on what Ireland does (and by how many goals). Should Ireland make history with their first World Cup win against Nigeria, then a whole bunch of tie breaking scenarios could ensure.
A key difference-maker may boil down to Sam Kerr.
If Sammy is indeed ready to go, at long last, then a sold out home crowd in Melbourne hovering down on Canada as their talismanic star finally debuts could be what does the trick for the Tillies.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Swan Dive with Meg Swanick to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.