The Lionesses are back in action on Friday after starting their 2023 World Cup campaign with a win against Haiti.
Sarina Wiegman’s side have a much sterner test on matchday nine, however, with Denmark, who beat Asian champions China in their group opener, meeting them in Sydney.
England’s upcoming encounter is the standout fixture among Friday’s billing of WWC action.
Argentina have been dumped out of the group stages without a win at their three previous World Cup outings, and their hopes of progressing into the knockouts in 2023 were dealt a blow when they were beaten by Italy 1-0 in their group opener.
The Italians struck late to condemn Argentina to yet another World Cup defeat.
And while South Africa impressed against Sweden in their 2-1 defeat, Argentina will be favoured in Dunedin on Friday. Like their upcoming opponents, the Banyana Banyana are vying for their first ever World Cup win. In fact, South Africa have lost all four games they’ve played in the competition.
England’s World Cup campaign got off to a somewhat unconvincing start against Haiti, but Sarina Wiegman-led sides typically start major tournaments slow before finding their groove in crunch time.
This is the Lionesses’ toughest test of the group stage on paper as they face a Denmark side currently ranked 13th in the world. The Danes are competing in their first World Cup since 2007, but they got their campaign off to a winning start as they beat China 1-0 in their group opener.
Despite their underwhelming start, England will be fancied to get the job done in Sydney and, providing they win, will secure their place in the knockouts if China draw with Haiti.
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Two underdogs that were narrowly edged out on Matchday 1 of Group D pit their wits against one another in Adelaide on Friday.
China have an excellent record at the World Cup, qualifying for the knockouts in their previous six appearances, but they’ll likely have to win here to have a chance of extending that streak with a clash against England booked in for Matchday 3.
The Asian champions looked destined to secure a point in their group opener before the Danes struck at the death to snatch all three points. Nevertheless, they’ll be confident of claiming victory against Haiti in their next encounter despite their opponents’ spirited display against the Lionesses.
WATCH THE LATEST WORLD CUP EDITION OF 90MIN TALKS
Shebahn Aherne is joined by Girls on the Ball, Chloe Morgan and 90min’s Lizzy Becherano to review the World Cup’s opening fixtures. England’s narrow win over an impressive Haiti is also analysed, as are the Lionesses’ attacking concerns going forward.
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