2023 Women’s World Cup Review: Best XIs, Breakouts, Moments
The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has left an indelible mark on the world of women’s football. As we reflect on this exhilarating tournament, our writers share their insights, from their picks for the Golden Ball to their standout moments. Here’s a comprehensive review:
Sophie Lawson’s Perspective:
Was This the Best Women’s World Cup Ever? It’s challenging to define “best” when it comes to a Women’s World Cup. However, this edition was undoubtedly massive and offered exceptional moments, making it one of the best, despite the top 10 teams ultimately dominating the competition.
Golden Ball Pick: Aitana Bonmatí. Her sensational season with Barcelona and her pivotal role in Spain’s historic World Cup win justify this choice.
Team of the Tournament (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Rebecca Spencer (Jamaica)
- Defenders: Ona Batlle (Spain), Clare Hunt (Australia), Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden), Alex Greenwood (England)
- Midfielders: Katrina Gorry (Australia), Aitana Bonmatí (Spain), Elin Rubensson (Sweden)
- Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Australia), Kadidiatou Diani (France), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan)
Breakout Star: Clare Hunt, the defensive rock for Australia, emerged as the biggest breakout star with her exceptional performances.
Favorite Moment/Goal: The euphoria in the stadium as Morocco reached the knockout stage was unforgettable. Cortnee Vine’s shootout winner for Australia against France in Brisbane also stands out.
FIFA’s Improvements for 2027: Sophie’s recommendation: Gag FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Mark Ogden’s Perspective:
Was This the Best Women’s World Cup Ever? Mark agrees that this was the best Women’s World Cup ever due to the competitiveness and emergence of teams from Africa and South America.
Golden Ball Pick: Olga Carmona, who played a crucial role in Spain’s historic victory and stood out as the best left-back in the tournament.
Team of the Tournament (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England)
- Defenders: Batlle, Ilestedt, Greenwood, Carmona
- Midfielders: Aitana, Jennifer Hermoso (Spain), Roord
- Forwards: Lineth Beerensteyn (Netherlands), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan), Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
Breakout Star: Salma Paralluelo’s remarkable performance and potential make her the standout breakout star.
Favorite Moment/Goal: The atmosphere at the England-Australia semifinal in Sydney with over 75,000 fans created an unforgettable moment.
FIFA’s Improvements for 2027: Mark calls for the replacement of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, citing his insincere approach to women’s football.
Sam Marsden’s Perspective:
Was This the Best Women’s World Cup Ever? Sam enthusiastically agrees that this was the best Women’s World Cup ever, highlighting the competitiveness and the accomplishments of lower-ranked nations.
Golden Ball Pick: Aitana Bonmatí, who showcased exceptional talent and contributed significantly to Spain’s success.
Team of the Tournament (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Musovic
- Defenders: Batlle, Ilestedt, Greenwood, Carmona
- Midfielders: Aitana, Rubensson, Hermoso
- Forwards: Hemp, Paralluelo, Miyazawa
Breakout Star: Thembi Kgatlana’s remarkable performances for South Africa and her relative obscurity before the tournament make her the breakout star.
Favorite Moment/Goal: Carmona’s thunderous strike in the last minute of Spain’s semifinal win over Sweden left a lasting impression.
FIFA’s Improvements for 2027: Sam emphasizes the need for more support and professional leagues for women’s football globally, along with increased representation of women in high-profile positions.
Tom Hamilton’s Perspective:
Was This the Best Women’s World Cup Ever? Tom acknowledges this as an exceptional Women’s World Cup, emphasizing the narrowing gap between top teams and emerging nations.
Golden Ball Pick: Greenwood, England’s standout player throughout the tournament, is Tom’s Golden Ball choice.
Team of the Tournament (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Musovic
- Defenders: Bronze, Greenwood, Ilestedt, Catley
- Midfielders: Abdelleira, Bonmati, Gorry
- Forwards: Parallels, Miyazawa, Hemp
Breakout Star: Tom applauds Salma Paralluelo’s emergence as a superstar at just 19 years old.
Favorite Moment/Goal: Tom highlights Lauren James’ wonder goal for England against Denmark, showcasing her immense potential.
FIFA’s Improvements for 2027: Tom’s recommendation is simple: equal pay across both men’s and women’s World Cups.
Caitlin Murray’s Perspective:
Was This the Best Women’s World Cup Ever? Caitlin unequivocally declares this the best Women’s World Cup, attributing it to the competitive nature and improved on-field quality.
Golden Ball Pick: Aitana Bonmatí’s sensational performances for Spain make her the deserving recipient of the Golden Ball.
Team of the Tournament (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Earps
- Defenders: Greenwood, Naomi Girma (USA), Hunt, Nathalie Björn (Sweden)
- Midfielders: Hasegawa, Bonmati, Georgia Stanway (England)
- Forwards: Miyazawa, Diani, Alba Redondo (Spain)
Breakout Star: Caitlin applauds Linda Caicedo’s exceptional performances for Colombia, marking her as a standout talent at just 18 years old.
Favorite Moment/Goal: Caitlin’s favorite moment was the U.S. losing the penalty shootout to Sweden, a historic and dramatic moment in an otherwise challenging tournament for the USWNT.
FIFA’s Improvements for 2027: Caitlin’s recommendation is straightforward: equal pay for both men’s and women’s World Cups.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup showcased the growth and competitive spirit of women’s football, leaving a lasting impact and setting high expectations for future editions.
Originally posted 2023-08-22 21:02:31.
