The 2023 Women’s World Cup is in full swing, and these daily files will give you the latest reporting from around the tournament as well as betting lines, what-to-watch-for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from Australia and New Zealand.
The lead: Australia can breathe again; Japan put on a show
After 11 days of nervous anticipation, Australia collectively exhaled. Sam Kerr‘s calf injury has been the talk of the World Cup, but though she said she was fit to play, she kept her coat on and watched as the Matildas booked their spot in the knockout stages as group winners thanks to a commanding 4-0 win over Canada.
With New Zealand already out, the tournament needed the other co-hosts to stay in the mix. Australia’s hopes were in the balance after they lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the previous game, and the buildup to Monday’s clash with Canada in Melbourne was dominated by Kerr talk. The Advertiser newspaper had a photo of her on the back page alongside the caption, “In Case of Emergency: Break Glass.” As it transpired, they didn’t need to activate the emergency option, giving her a few more days to recover.
Australia put in their most complete performance to dismantle Canada, ending the Olympic…
