Europe

BRISBANE — Captain Wendie Renard's header seven minutes from time earned France a dramatic 2-1 win over Brazil at Brisbane's Lang Park on Saturday as Herve Renard's side picked up their first win in Group F of the Women's World Cup.

The defender met Selma Bacha's corner with a firm downward header that bounced back up off the turf and beyond goalkeeper Leticia to give the French all three points after opening their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica last Sunday.

WONDERFUL WENDIE

SYDNEY — England's hopes of winning the Women's World Cup suffered a blow on Friday when Keira Walsh was taken off the pitch on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury during their win over Denmark.

The 26-year-old holding midfielder, who was an integral part of the England team that won the Euros last year, crumpled to the turf at Sydney Football Stadium without contact in the 38th minute and immediately called for medical assistance.

PSV hosted second division side FC Eindhoven on Wednesday in a derby preseason friendly, and 20-year-old American striker Ricardo Pepi was on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory, giving him two goals in two appearances since arriving from FC Augsburg on a five-year deal.

It was an emphatic finish from the Texan as he swept a right-footed effort inside the far post.

The Republic of Ireland's Women’s World Cup journey is all but over as a 2-1 defeat to Canada on Wednesday eliminated the Irish from the competition.

The 2023 edition of the tournament was the first time Ireland had qualified. Despite losing the first two games, The Girls in Green still got admirable results. A 1-0 loss to hosts Australia and a 2-1 defeat to the 2020 Olympic gold medalists Canada is nothing to be ashamed of.

Ireland’s big World Cup moment has to be the Katie McCabe goal vs Canada. The Irish opened Wednesday’s game with a stunning goal from their captain.

The U.S. women's national team is in a position to win a record third straight World Cup because every player who steps on the field is expected to meet the high standards of their predecessors.

Sophia Smith is the latest example of a potential legend in the making, following in the footsteps of players such as Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and current teammate Alex Morgan.

A last-gasp goal by Amanda Ilestedt allowed Sweden to defeat South Africa 2-1 in their opening match at the 2023 World Cup.

Despite the win, the fans and the press were far from satisfied with the team's performance, deeming it "a disaster." Many believed that Sweden, ranked third in the FIFA rankings, should have demonstrated their superiority more emphatically against South Africa, a team positioned only 54th in the world.

DUNEDIN - The Netherlands kicked off their Group E campaign with a 1-0 win over Women's World Cup debutants Portugal at Dunedin Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a first-half goal from Stefanie van der Gragt that was awarded on a VAR review.

The Dutch edged Portugal 3-2 a year ago in the European Championship group stage, but this time the Iberian side were no match for the team in their trademark orange and did not have a shot on target until the 82nd minute.

BRISBANE — England coach Sarina Wiegman says her squad are missing the ruthlessness needed to score goals, a troubling tendency that reared its ugly head in a 1-0 victory over minnows Haiti at the Women's World Cup on Saturday.

Georgia Stanway's penalty kick was the game's only goal, stretching the Lionesses' lack of a goal from open play to more than three games.

SECOND TIME'S THE CHARM FOR ENGLAND!