Matchday three brings the first round of the women’s football event at the 2024 Paris Olympics to a close on Wednesday.
The tournament has so far provided controversy and chaos, with some of the game’s leading lights shining in the scorching French heat.
Only four teams will succumb from the group stages with three quarters of the nations competing advancing into the quarter-finals. Two of the three best-performing third-place finishers will join the top two from each group in the last eight.
Nevertheless, there’s always scope for last-gasp drama on the final matchday of a group stage, and here’s how 90min predicts Wednesday’s action to go down.
It’s all to play for in Group A heading into the final round of fixtures with three teams boasting three points from their opening two games. The sole outlier are New Zealand, who followed up their 2-1 defeat to Canada with a 2-0 loss to Colombia on Sunday.
The odds are stacked against the Ferns heading into Wednesday’s game against the hosts, although France must pick themselves up again having endured a stunning defeat to Canada last time out.
Still, the talented French team are distinct favourites here and a win over New Zealand may be enough to seal top spot in the group.
Prediction: New Zealand 0-2 France
It’s been a whirlwind of a tournament for the Canadians, who were rocked by ‘Drone-gate’ to kick-off their campaign and were subsequently handed a six-point deduction by FIFA.
However, they’ve made up their deficit ahead of the final matchday following victories over New Zealand and France. Vanessa Gilles struck in the 12th minute of stoppage time to seal an upset win for the Canadians over the hosts on matchday two.
Can Canada carry that momentum into the final group game and seal an unlikely quarter-final berth? They must win on Wednesday to have any chance, but Colombia currently top Group A after beating New Zealand 2-0 on Sunday.
This group is wide open, and the bout in Nice should be a belter between two sides with chips on their shoulders.
Prediction: Colombia 2-1 Canada
The lowest-ranked nation at the tournament certainly made their mark on matchday two as Zambia pushed recent World Cup semi-finalists Australia all the way. Leading 4-2 at the break, the African nation succumbed to a second half comeback and fell to a staggering 6-5 defeat.
Progression into the quarter-finals is unlikely for Zambia, but their performance against the Matildas suggests Germany, who were beaten 4-1 by the USA last time out, are in for a tough evening in Saint-Etienne.
The Germans, however, could lose Wednesday’s game and still advance into the last eight as runners-up.
Prediction: Zambia 0-1 Germany
The Sam Kerr-less Matildas staged a remarkable campaign on matchday two to bolster their chances of qualification, but an almighty test awaits the Aussies to round off Group B.
A convincing defeat to Germany to open up the campaign means Australia require a mini-miracle to advance. They currently sit third in the group but their goal difference of -2 is considerably worse than their counterparts in Groups A and C. Thus, they may need a result against a purring USA side to make the last eight.
Emma Hayes’ outfit, four-time Olympic champions, have made an efficient start to their tournament. After battering Zambia on matchday one, the US crucially beat Germany 4-1 in a crunch affair off the back of a Sophia Smith brace to lead Group B. They’re in fine form and the absence of Kerr means Hayes’ team have little to fear despite the Matildas’ six-goal outing last time out.
Prediction: Australia 1-3 USA
Japan are well in the mix again having recorded a shock victory over Brazil last time out. The Japanese team will surely fancy their chances of making the last eight, with a mere point against Nigeria on Wednesday being enough to see them progress.
The African giants, who made headway at the 2023 World Cup with some impressive performances before exiting the competition on penalties to England in the round of 16, have been beaten by single goals in their two outings at the Olympics thus far. It took a freakish Alexia Putellas goal for the world champions to topple Nigeria on matchday two.
A victory for the 11-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winners would give them a great shot at progressing into just their second-ever quarter-final at the Olympic Games.
Prediction: Japan 2-0 Nigeria
Arguably the standout fixture of the round, Spain have eased into their campaign in France as they aim to add Olympic gold to their piling-up list of honours.
Two-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Putellas was the hero against Nigeria as her free-kick from an acute angle won the game for Spain with five minutes remaining. The world champions eased past Japan to start their campaign.
Back-to-back victories mean Spain top Group C heading into matchday three, and they’re hoping to be joined in the last eight by Wednesday’s opponents, Brazil. However, after enduring a surprise defeat to the Japanese last time out, Marta’s side, should they lose on Wednesday, will rely on other results – likely from other groups – to continue their Olympic dream.
Prediction: Brazil 0-2 Spain
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