When asked to focus on three defenders who stand out for me at the Women’s World Cup so far, it is not as straightforward as it may appear.
After all, some nations have yet to complete their group stage matches, while others rested key players with qualification for the knockout stages already secured.
Despite this, there’s been enough Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights over the past week and a half to select my pick of the bunch to date. What do you think?
Millie Bright (England)
When captain Leah Williamson was ruled out of England’s plans through injury, manager Sarina Wiegman turned to Bright who, in an instant, became even more important to England’s chances of adding the world crown to the European one they clinched last summer.
Make no mistake, there is expectation surrounding the Lionesses, and the Chelsea defender was an obvious choice to inherit the armband through her vast experience at club and international level.
A physical and uncompromising centre-back, equally capable of displaying a range of passing and bringing the ball forward, before the tournament began she gained her first minutes following knee surgery in a behind closed doors friendly against Canada.
Shen then started the narrow opening victory against Haiti and, perhaps understandably, struggled at times in what was her first appearance since March.
Yet Bright, who was vice-captain under Williamson at last summer’s successful Euro 2022, has stepped up for the team which has now lost just once in 35 games under Wiegman.
Naomi Girma (USA)
Despite only one victory in the group stages – a hiccup or something more serious we are yet to find out – this SBOTOP writer believes the holders are still the favourites to win the tournament for a third successive time.
Judging by the Women’s World Cup 2023 betting odds, the US came into the competition as the side to beat, but that has eased somewhat as they have failed to impress in front of their thousands of travelling fans in New Zealand.
A 3-0 victory over Vietnam was followed by a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in a repeat of the 2019 final before a goalless draw with Portugal was enough to take them through as runners-up to the Netherlands.
Surely though, if they continue to be resolute at the back, they will have a chance.
Much like England with Bright, the United States are relying a lot more on emerging star Girma at the heart of their defence since losing captain Becky Sauerbrunn to injury in April.
Only recently turned 23, Girma is still a relative unknown at this level. She wasn’t a starter at last summer’s CONCACAF W Championship, but her rise with San Diego Wave and the national team in 18 months has been rapid.
Her fine one-on-one defending with a calmness on the ball to spark attacks, she was described by US media as a lone bright spot against the Portuguese.
The best player on the pitch for a team that struggled all game to ever look dangerous. Defence wins championships or so they say.
What’s to say the US will not begin to convince the masses now they’re through to the knockout stages and can prove they are still the team to beat.
Wendie Renard (France)
France bounced back from a draw with Jamaica to beat Brazil in the big game of the “group of death” which means victory against already eliminated Panama will send them into the last 16.
The scorer of the winning goal against the South Americans was the player who stood up when it mattered the most: Wendie Renard.
It’s easy to forget this was nearly the World Cup she wasn’t at. After a disagreement with then manager Corinne Diacre, she refused to be called up.
With Renard insisting she would not play to preserve her mental health, citing she “can no longer support the current system”, and with fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani quickly following suit, the French Football Federation intervened.
Herve Renard (no relation) came in and shortly afterwards his namesake, an eight-time Champions League winner, was back.
Standing at 6’2”, she has again provided a presence in the backline, and her ability to find the net could yet prove the missing link for Les Bleus.
Renard has also won a record 14 French league titles, alongside the eight European Cups, making her one of the most decorated players in women’s club football.
All that is missing is an international title. Could that be about to change?
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