What hurts more, a man getting kicked in the crotch or a woman giving birth?
It’s a question that is just about impossible to answer accurately. Determining pain thresholds for men compared to women is about as easy to do as herding cats, and it’s an issue scientists for decades have struggled to even appropriately consider.
Germany has had its fair share of legendary players. The two-time Women’s World Cup champion has produced some of the tournament’s greatest all-time players, from Heidi Mohr to Birgit Prinz. Giulia Gwinn might be the next in that list after her rocket goal gave Germany a 1-0 win over China on Saturday.
Die Nationalelf, one of the tournament favorites ranked No. 2 in the world, dominated possession and had countless chances throughout the match, but it was a moment of brilliance that saved them against the 1999 runners-up, who themselves were dangerous on the counter.
The Women’s World Cup began Friday with host France dismantling South Korea 4-0. It was a thrilling show from Les Bleues, who put down a marker as the team to beat this summer.
But all ESPN.com wants to talk about is Eden Hazard and Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Since there are 24 teams participating in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the knockout format is slightly different than the men’s format. To ensure 16 teams make it to the knockout stages, out of the six groups, four of those groups have three out of the four teams in the group go through the to the knockout stages. The way these four teams are chosen is simple: The third-place teams with the most points out of the six move on to the knockout stages.
The opening match of the Women’s World Cup is in the books, host France crushing South Korea 4-0. But more than the final score, the France vs South Korea highlights showed one thing: the American women will have to beat Les Bleues if they hope to repeat, and it won’t be easy.
The USWNT entered the 2019 Women’s World Cup as the favorite to win it all. Jill Ellis’ side is ranked No. 1 in the world, features some of the best attacking talent on the planet and has the experience to repeat as champion.
Yes, the Women’s World Cup is using VAR. Yes, people are going to complain. And yes, the VAR got the call right in its first usage during the tournament opener between France and South Korea on Friday.
France was the first victim of VAR at Women’s World Cup after a goal was disallowed for the narrowest of offside calls in the first half of the first match of the tournament.
While we can doubt the historical accuracy of this Gatorade commercial — Mia Hamm played her final match for the USWNT in 2004, when Mallory Pugh was only six — we can’t doubt its quality, or its use of Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
As the second-youngest player on the USWNT World Cup roster, Pugh will be an inspiration to many this summer. The 21-year-old already has 53 caps and 16 goals to her name, and she’ll likely be the first player Jill Ellis turns to if the USWNT needs a spark in attack.