Japan and Korea DPR registered big wins, while the Netherlands also triumphed and Austria enjoyed an unforgettable Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup bow.
As things stand in the #U20WWC groups! 📈
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) September 3, 2024
Japan and Korea DPR ran riot on Matchday 3 of the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™, scoring seven and six respectively.
Austria, for their part, had Mariella El Sherif’s hands to thank for an unforgettable competition debut, while the Netherlands also started successfully.
Winning smiles. 😄#U20WWC
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) September 3, 2024
Ghana 1-2 Austria
Experience indicated the Black Princesses would prevail. Ghana were, after all, appearing at a seventh successive Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup, while Austria were making their tournament debut. Mariella El Sherif ensured it was an unforgettable one, her reflexes relentlessly exasperating the Africans.
Round one of #U20WWC group stage action in the books. 📚
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) September 3, 2024
A well-worked move enabled Fankhauser to fire home the first, before Ojukwu doubled the advantage from the spot. Nyamekye, having previously seen her scorcher denied by the crossbar, got the late consolation her exploits deserved, but the contest belonged to Austria and their goalkeeper.
Key stats
Ghana have now won just one of their past ten matches at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. This is Austria’s first appearance at a Fifa tournament – either men’s or women’s – since 2015.
What they said....
"It means so much, playing the first match at a World Cup ever and then also scoring a goal, that’s a childhood dream come true. I haven’t fully realised it yet but it was even better to be able to celebrate it with the team. It was simply incredible."
Hannah Fankhauser, Austria forward
Korea DPR 6-2 Argentina
On an evening where a superb Korea DPR side plundered six goals, it was one of the two they conceded that will live long in the memory.
A thunderbolt from close to 45 yards, that crashed in off the underside of the bar, from Argentina’s Kishi Nunez was a strike of the highest quality. It was the Asian nation though that stamped their title credentials with an aggressive thump.
Korea were controlled in possession, tireless off the ball and have a squad blessed with outstanding technical quality; a trio of goals in either half a good indication of their overall dominance.
Key stats....
Korea DPR have won 18 of their past 22 group matches at the tournament.
Argentina have now lost both their matches against Korea DPR at the tournament by sizeable margins, with the previous loss being a 9-0 defeat at Japan 2012.
What they said...
This is the first time for this group to play at a World Cup and I was concerned they may be tense both mentally and physically so the early goal helped us settle. I think we played quite well and I’m satisfied, even if I know that we weren’t at our absolute best. Ri Songho, Korea DPR head coach
Japan 7-0 New Zealand
Japan exhilarated the crowd and exasperated their helpless opponents in equal measure. They produced eye-catching, interchanging, football throughout and could have even scored more than seven. Maya Hijikata and Chinari Sasai both bagged braces, while Miku Hayama’s strike was sumptuous.
The Junior Football Ferns can take credit from the fact they never gave up against certified title contenders. Manaia Elliott and Milly Clegg both looked slick on the ball on the few occasions they got it. They’re sure to see it more on Thursday and, after their goal difference took such a battering, a result against Austria is paramount.
The Young Nadeshiko registered a staggering 30 shots, with 17 being on target.
Japan eclipsed their biggest-ever win in the Fifa U-20 Women’s World Cup. It had been their 6-0 reverse of Paraguay en route to the title in 2018.
What they said....
I was happy to score the first goal, which gave the team momentum and led to a high-scoring victory. Certainly, we are aiming to become world champions, and my personal goal is to win the tournament's top scorer award as well.
Maya Hijikata, Japan forward
Costa Rica 0-2 Netherlands
It’s either boom or bust for the Dutch and on a clear evening in Cali it was the former with the Netherlands extending their streak of never having drawn a match at the tournament.
Veerle Buurman set the Dutch sailing with a thumping, downward, header from a 24th minute corner to send the 2022 semifinalists to the break with a narrow advantage.
Substitute Eva Oude Elberink then secured the points as she prodded home from close range after some one-touch weaving in the Dutch build-up.
Key stats...
The Netherlands have now won three successive group stage matches at the tournament. Costa Rica have lost all ten matches that they’ve played, since their debut at Germany 2010.
What they said....
At first it was difficult and they were dangerous on the counter-attack early on but we improved in the second half, we worked hard, and I’m really happy we won.
Bo van Egmond, Netherlands forward