Women’s World Cup fixtures today

The first round of group stage fixtures are almost in the books, with the final two teams making their bows in the competition on Tuesday.

A decisive day in also beckons in Group A as the second round of matches take place following a stunning start to the competition which saw hosts New Zealand shock Norway in the tournament opener. The Scandinavians bizarrely now risk exiting the competition which they won in 1995.

Settle down, ladies and gentlemen, because the heat is ramping up in Oceania.

Here’s how to keep up to speed with Tuesday’s World Cup schedule.

The final game of the opeing fixtures sees Copa America Femenina runners-up Colombia pit their wits against South Korea in Group H. The South Americans haven’t had the best of times at World Cups, and they open up their campaign with a tricky test.

South Korea finished second at last year’s Asia Cup and have qualified for the past three World Cups. However, their record at the tournament is similarly poor to Tuesday’s opponents. While Colombia have won just one of their seven World Cup outings, South Korea have won just one of ten.

Nevertheless, this bout will be hugely significant in determining who progresses into the knockout stages from Group H. With Germany expected to saunter to top spot, these two nations along with Morocco will duel it out for second place.

How to watch

The hosts upset the odds on matchday one as they edged past Norway 1-0 to claim their first World Cup victory in 16 games. Hannah Wilkinson was the hero as New Zealand put themselves in a great position to progress into the knockouts.

They’re favoured against the Philippines in their second group encounter which takes place in Wellington on Tuesday. Victory for the Kiwis combined with a Norwegian draw or defeat against Switzerland will see them advance into the last 16 for the first time ever in World Cup history.

A point will also be enough should Norway lose.

The Philippines were brushed aside by the Swiss in their maiden World Cup outing; losing 2-0 and failing to register a single shot on target. However, they did run New Zealand close in their most recent head-to-head matchup with the Kiwis winning 2-1 last September.

How to watch

Norway, the 12th-ranked nation heading into the competition, could be eliminated on Tuesday should they fall to defeat against Switzerland.

Having gone out at the Euro 2022 group stage, they came into the World Cup without a win in four, and the signs are ominous for Hege Riise’s side. The Swiss breezed past Philippines in their opening group encounter, but that was their first win in seven games.

Their World Cup pedigree pales in comparison to Norway’s, who have reached the knockout stages in seven of their eight appearances, but they could knock out the 1995 champions with a victory in Hamilton and qualify for the knockouts themselves for just the second time ever.

READ MORE ON THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND