Women's World Cup Soccer!

[Blackleaf]

England are to play Norway in the Last 16 after a comfortable victory over Colombia in Group F.

Just as against Mexico, England had a 2-0 lead going into injury time at the end of the match but then conceded, but they held on for a deserved 2-1 victory.

England have been based in Montreal during the group matches, but will now travel to Ottawa for their Last 16 match against the Norwegians on Monday. Norway are one of the better teams in the tournament but England will still fancy their chances of beating them and reaching the Quarter Finals.

Colombia have still qualified for the Last 16 as one of the best third-place teams and they'll be facing USA.

This is the first time a Women's World Cup has had a Last 16 stage, with this tournament being the first to contain 24 teams. In previous tournaments teams advanced straight from the group stage to the Quarter Finals.

Karen Carney and Fara Williams on target as Lionesses seal round of 16 place

Karen Carney opened the scoring for England after following up a Steph Houghton free kick that was saved
Fara Williams doubled the Lionesses' lead after 38 minutes when she converted from the penalty spot
Lady Andrade scored a late consolation when she lobbed Karen Bardsley in the fourth minute of injury-time
In the other match in Group F, France beat Mexico 5-0 to finish top on goal difference ahead of England
Mark Sampson's England side booked their place in the round of 16 and will face Norway for a place in the last eight

By Sam Cunningham for the Daily Mail
18 June 2015
Daily Mail

England 2-1 Colombia
Carney 18, Williams 38 (pen).........Andrade 90+3


ENGLAND MATCH FACTS

England: Bardsley, A Scott, Houghton, Stoney, Greenwood, Williams, Moore, Nobbs, Duggan (Taylor 79), Kirby (Potter 66), Carney (Sanderson 55)

Subs not used: Chamberlain, Telford, Rafferty, Bassett, Scott, Aluko, Bronze, Chapman, White

Other Group F Result: Mexico 0-5 France

After losing their opener, England won their last two group games to seal a place in the last 16

Karen Carney hated football so much four years ago she could not drag herself out of her car for training — but in the Women’s World Cup the Birmingham City striker has been on full throttle to fire the vital goals for England to reach the last 16.

Carney scored the opener to send England on their way to victory against Colombia and secure second place in Group F on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old has admitted to self-harm in her darker days, but she has been England’s shining light in this tournament after also netting the winner against Mexico in the previous match.

Fara Williams doubled the lead as she fired past Colombia goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda from the penalty spot before half-time

Williams steps up to send England two goals ahead after Carolina Arias had handled in the penalty area in the Olympic Stadium, Montreal

The England squad celebrate after Williams converts from the penalty spot to give England a two-goal advantage

Karen Carney (right) celebrates after giving England the lead against Colombia in a decisive match in Group F of the Women's World Cup

England had opened the tournament with defeat to France, who topped the group, meaning Carney’s contribution has been crucial.

She was the first to react in the 15th minute — when Steph Houghton’s free kick from 25 yards out towards the bottom left corner was saved — to slot the ball from a tight angle through Colombia goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda’s legs.

The second goal, in the 37th minute, evolved from another Houghton free kick and made sure of the victory.

This time, from closer in but to the right of goal, Houghton fired in a ball which pin-balled around the box allowing Toni Duggan to get a shot away which was blocked by the hand of Carolina Arias and a penalty was awarded.

England's Casey Stoney watches on after Carney nutmegged the Colombia goalkeeper to put the Lionesses ahead

Carolina Arias, who was responsible for the concession of the England penalty, slides in to tackle Alex Greenwood

Farah Williams powerfully buried the spot kick into the left of goal.

England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley made a vital save in first-half stoppage time to preserve their lead; rushing from goal, clearing the ball and flattening Arias as she ran from deep on to a chipped ball over the defence.

There was a late consolation for Colombia when Lady Andrade lobbed Bardsley with expert precision in the fourth minute of injury-time, but England hung on in the final moments.

They will now fly to Ottawa, having been based in Montreal, to face Norway in the first knockout stage. Carney will surely be one of the first off the plane.

England manager Mark Sampson applauds form the sidelines as he watches his team reach the round of 16


Round of 16 Fixtures

Saturday 20th June

Germany vs Sweden
China vs Cameroon

Sunday 21st June

Brazil vs Australia
France vs South Korea
Canada vs Switzerland

Monday 22nd June

Norway vs England
USA vs Colombia

Tuesday 23rd June

Japan vs Netherlands

Read more: Women's World Cup 2015 - England 2-1 Colombia: Karen Carney and Fara Williams on target as Lionesses seal round of 16 place | Daily Mail Online
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​

 

[gopher]

Australia > Brazil 1-0


Canada > Swiss 1-0



I found the second game to be highly intense. Perhaps it was the home crowd of 53,000+ in Vancouver.

Interestingly, unlike the past WC's this one does not appear to be getting as much publicity or public interest. At least not so in these arts or in the news media.

 

[Durry]

I think this game will be an interest changer.

Next game will get a lot more coverage and if the girls win again, it will be a news hit. At least the way I hope it goes!!

 

[gopher]

In these two matches it appeared as if the officiating has improved somewhat - perhaps the criticism has gotten to FIFA and they are now clamping down on ref incompetence.

Interestingly, the games are being played on artificial turf and none of the players appreciate that (especially when the field is too hot). Hopefully, they will go back to playing on natural grass next time to cut down on any possible injuries.

Reminds me of baseball great Dick Allen who said, if the cows won't eat it, I won't play on it.

 

[Kreskin]

Canada plays England next weekend.

 

[bill barilko]

I watched the second half out of curiosity-not particularly well played by either side but Canada was the better team.

The play by play was astoundingly poor the announcers had NFC how to call a game their voices come across as a boring drone.

 

[Kreskin]

Canada doesn't seem to have much finish to their play. Things start to set up then they give the ball away. That will need to change if they want to move on.

 

[gopher]

Darn - missed USA > Colombia today 2-0


There was a heck of a lot of youth sports here today and I watched two soccer matches and one baseball game. A triple header for free!


Hopefully, I'll get to see our next game.

 

[Blackleaf]

The England women's team made history yesterday by winning a match in the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup for the first time ever.

They've reached the Quarter Final before but thatw as by getting straight there from the Group Stage, whereas this year, for the first time ever, there is Last 16 round to win in order to het to the Quarter Final.

England came from behind to beat a strong Norway side in yesterday's last 16 encounter at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa thanks to goals from two defenders - the captain Steph Houghton and a wonder strike from Lucy Bronze, one of the goals of the tournament so far.

England will play Canada in the Quarter Final.

Norway 1-2 England: Lucy Bronze wonder-strike puts Mark Sampson's side into the last eight of Women's World Cup 2015 after captain Steph Houghton powers home stunning header

England on back foot in goalless first half as Norway dominate possession
Solveig Gulbrandsen heads Norway ahead from a corner soon after half-time
England captain Houghton powers in equaliser with brilliant header on the hour mark
Lucy Bronze smashes a magnificent strike into the top corner to complete the turnaround
England will now face hosts Canada in the last eight on Saturday

By Craig Hope for the Daily Mail
23 June 2015
Daily Mail


Women's World Cup

Last 16

Norway 1-2 England
Gulbrandsen 54 ...............Houghton 61, Bronze 76

MATCH FACTS

Norway: Hjelmseth, Mjelde, Ronning (Thorisdottir 46 mins), Lund, Wold (Utland 87), Gulbrandsen, Mykjaland, Ims, Minde (Thorsnes 70), Herlovsen, Hegerberg

Subs: Vesterbekkmo, Sonstevold, Berge, Schjelderup, Sandvei, Bjanesoy, Haavi, Hansen, Fiskerstrand

England: Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton, Bassett, Rafferty, Williams, Moore, Carney, Chapman, Kirby (Jill Scott 54), Duggan (Taylor 62)

Subs: Chamberlain, Alex Scott, Nobbs, Aluko, Greenwood, Stoney, Potter, Sanderson, White, Telford

Referee: Esther Staubli (Switzerland)

It was a goal worthy of winning any football match, anywhere in the world. Thankfully for England, defender Lucy Bronze saved her gold-standard strike for the biggest stage of all.

Striding onto a lay-off some 25 yards out, the 23-year-old smashed the sweetest of shots into the top corner of the Norwegian goal to seal an historic win for the Three Lionesses.

Mark Sampson’s side were made to work for first ever victory in a World Cup knockout match, but in the searing heart of Ottawa they kept their cool to complete the come-from-behind triumph which sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with hosts Canada.

England defender Lucy Bronze celebrates her stunning winner which sealed England's place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup

Despite having several defenders and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley in close attendance England defended poorly as Norway took the lead

Bronze hooks the ball off the line... but it had already gone in as Norway took the lead from a set-piece against England

Norway midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsen wheels away, arms aloft, after heading her side into the lead early in the second half

The Norwegian players celebrate taking the lead, with a goal their play had merited up to that point, as Gulbrandsen headed in a corner

England captain Steph Houghton powers in a header from a set-piece to bring England level just a few minutes after they had fallen behind

The skipper watches as her brilliantly directed header sneaks past the defender on the line and into the far corner of the net

The joy is clear to see on Houghton's face as she celebrates her goal which drew England level and changed the momentum of the game

Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth can only palm Bronze's 25-yard screamer up into the roof of the net

Bronze celebrates her wonderful winning goal with substitute Jordan Nobbs, as the pair pulled off an elaborate handshake

Conceding early in the second half, skipper Steph Houghton soon drew England level before Manchester City star Bronze struck the winner 14 minutes from time.

But Norway had dominated the first half and England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley was the only reason the opening period expired goalless.

Norway striker Isabell Herlovsen was sprung clear in the 11th minute – peeling off the shoulder of Houghton – but Manchester City’s Bardsley had read the unfolding danger and was off her line in a flash to smother the attempted d ink
.
England forward Fran Kirby barely had a sniff during what was a frustrating outing, but she could have done better with her one opening when strike partner Toni Duggan stole possession on the fringe of the area. Kirby should have taken advantage to drive in on goal but dithered and the chance was soon gone.

Herlovsen was again thwarted by Bardsley soon after, the England stopper scrambling to shovel a cross-***-shot around the post.
Some of England’s problems were also self-inflicted and Bronze had Bardsley to thank when Ada Hegerberg pounced on her weak back-pass, the Norwegian’s low blast repelled by the outstanding keeper.

Bardsley, though, was complicit in the goal that gave Norway the lead on 54 minutes, needlessly diving to push behind a shot which was already travelling wide.

From the resulting corner Solveig Gulbrandsen darted in at the near post and flicked home her deft header via the underside of the crossbar.

England's Fran Kirby takes on Norway captain Trine Ronning as Mark Sampson's side went on a rare attack during the first half

Karen Bardsley, who kept England level with a brilliant save in the first half, comes out to punch commandingly as England defended deep

Lucy Bronze, whose running down the wing from full-back offered England a rare outlet going forward, turns away from Ada Hegerberg

Solveig Gulbrandsen steps between Katie Chapman and Jade Moore as Norway dominated without too much penetration

But England were level within seven minutes when Houghton rose to connect with Fara Williams’s driven flag-kick and steer a powerful header into the bottom corner.

It was a captain’s goal when England needed it most and put them in the ascendancy for the first time in the game.

Norway, however, still managed to fashion the better openings on the break. Substitute Elise Thorsnes blazed over from a narrow angle without troubling Bardsley, although the custodian was drawn into a strong save when Ada Hegerberg outpaced Laura Bassett and hammered on target.

But England substitutes Jill Scott and Jodie Taylor were proving the difference as legs tired and they combined to tee up Bronze for the most stunning of match-winners – it could yet lead to a podium finish.

Toni Duggan, starved of possession for long periods, works hard defensively to try and win the ball off Marita Skammelsrud Lund

Ada Hegerberg looks to take advantage of a mistake, brushing Bronze aside, but she couldn't take the chance to score

Jade Moore takes on Gry Tofte as England looked to come from behind to keep their World Cup campaign alive in Ottawa

Laura Bassett protects the ball from Isabell Herlovsen as Mark Sampson's team looked to grow into the game

Herlovsen stretches for the ball but can't quite get enough on it to divert her shot past Karen Bardsley in the England goal

Bardsley, who kept her side in the game with a string of excellent saves, gets up high to claim a cross and ease the pressure

Read more: Norway 1-2 England: Lucy Bronze wonder-strike puts Mark Sampson's side into the last eight of Women's World Cup 2015 after captain Steph Houghton powered home stunning header | Daily Mail Online
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​

 

[coldstream]

So it'll be Canada vs. England in the Quarters.

We beat England 1-0 in prelim to the Cup... but Canada worries me. Their offense lacks imagination and crispness. They just haven't clicked in with their playmaking, passing and finishing.

Let's GO Canada.. BEAT England!

 

[Blackleaf]

So it'll be Canada vs. England in the Quarters.

We beat England 1-0 in prelim to the Cup... but Canada worries me. Their offense lacks imagination and crispness. They just haven't clicked in with their playmaking, passing and finishing.

Let's GO Canada.. BEAT England!

And England beat Canada in the Final of the Cyprus Cup in the spring: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Cyprus_Cup

Women's World Cup: England 'can make history' against Canada

23 June 2015
BBC News

Women's World Cup: England 'can make history' against Canada

By Alistair Magowan BBC Sport
England v Canada

Date: 28 June Kick-off: 00:30 BST. Live on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Sport website, mobiles and sport app

Captain Steph Houghton says underdogs England "can make history again" when they take on hosts Canada in their World Cup quarter-final in Vancouver.

The Lionesses reached the last eight after beating Norway 2-1 - their first win in a World Cup knockout match.

They now face the side they beat 1-0 in March's Cyprus Cup final but lost to in a pre-World Cup friendly .

"We'll probably be underdogs, but we've already shown in this tournament we can play under pressure," Houghton said.

"That's what we did against Norway - we knew we could make history and we've done it, now we can do it again on Saturday," added the 27-year-old.

Houghton's second-half equaliser against Norway came before Lucy Bronze smashed in a stunning winner.

Lucy Bronze scoring her stunning winning goal against Norway in the Round of 16 on Monday. She "has the potential to be the best right back in the world"

Watch Bronze's superb goal against Norway to gift England Women their first ever victory in a World Cup knockout match:

England head coach Mark Sampson described Bronze as having the "potential to be the best right-back in the world".

"It was a relief to get back into the game," Houghton added. "But it also showed that we're a team who can grind out a result.

"That's something that in the past English teams haven't been able to do, but that's World Cup football and we might have to do it again to keep progressing."

England face a Canadian side at 00:30 BST on Sunday who are ranked eighth in the world, two places below them, and are coached by Englishman John Herdman.

The hosts, who finished top of Group A, reached the quarter-finals by beating Switzerland 1-0 at the 54,320-capacity BC Place and will face England at the same venue.

Manchester City's Houghton returned from injury to play in the friendly defeat on 30 May in Hamilton. She said having the experience of facing a partisan crowd would benefit England.

"It's going to be great to go and play the host nation in Vancouver in front of 50,000 fans," she added.

"Those are the sort of games everyone wants to play in. This squad's ready for a massive game like that and we can't wait for the challenge."

Sampson said: "Canada have got some exceptional players. They have ploughed a lot of money into their programme.

"Their players and staff have put their life on hold since 2012 for this tournament, so we're going to face a huge challenge but we are excited by it, we are ready for it."

'Your nan has lost her voice'

Lucy Bronze rang her mum from the dressing room after scoring England's winner against Norway and said: "I didn't get a word in edgeways. She said 'your nan's lost her voice, your auntie is going crazy, and my phone's going wild'. My family know what I'm capable of, but for other people to see what I can do has made them even more proud."

BBC Sport - Women's World Cup: England 'can make history' against Canada

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Blackleaf, you've said on here several times that women's sports are a bore at best, and generally a disgrace.

I know you ain't real bright, but is a little consistency too much to ask?

 

[Blackleaf]

Women's World Cup: 'Growing England can go all the way'


England reached the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup by coming from behind to beat Norway in Ottawa.

The 2-1 victory - secured by a Lucy Bronze strike from the edge of the penalty box - was the Lionesses' first in the World Cup knockout stages.

Mark Sampson's side now face host nation Canada in Vancouver at 00:30 BST on Sunday.
So what can England expect? And just how far can they go in the tournament?

How did England play against Norway?

Former England striker Sue Smith: "What a transformation it was from England. In the first half everyone was disappointed, but in the second half they were absolutely fantastic.

"They stepped up that bit higher, they looked more positive on the ball, and Jill Scott made a massive difference when she came on.

She provided more energy and width and showed quality in possession."

Former England captain Gill Coultard: "England weren't in it in the first half. They just didn't show up and had goalkeeper Karen Bardsley to thank for keeping the score at 0-0.

"The Norway goal actually woke England up and substitutes Scott and Jodie Taylor changed the game. England were much more on the front foot when they came on."

Former England winger Rachel Yankey: "Maybe the occasion got to England, because they are better than that first-half performance. In the second half they just had to go out and attack and they did that. They showed their character."

What was the turning point?

Bronze fired into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to book a last-eight tie with hosts Canada

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan: "Two things turned this game in England's favour. First, Mark Sampson got Katie Chapman playing 20 yards further up the pitch, and her pressing unsettled Norway's passing rhythm.

"Secondly, bringing on Scott to replace the ineffectual Fran Kirby added to England's energy and gave them much-needed width. Scott had a hand in both goals, winning the corner from which England equalised, and she also linked well with Jodie Taylor before laying the pass for Bronze's winner.

"When England's tactics are more positive, the players respond."

Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis: "There is no doubt that the substitutes made the difference, with Scott coming on and really sticking to her task of hustling down that right side, maintaining possession, and taking the energy out of Norway's back line.

"When the substitution was made at the corner and Norway immediately scored, we frowned on that a little. But the aftermath - England scoring within six minutes - showed great character. Then Taylor did really well when she was brought on too, creating that second goal for Bronze."

Are 'tinkerman' Sampson's tactics working?

Mark Sampson has now won 17 of his 24 games in charge of England

Magowan: " Mark Sampson appears to enjoy shuffling his tactics and personnel on a regular basis. After three consecutive wins, maybe his insistence that England are "in a good place" is accurate.

"Where the 32-year-old may be lacking, though, is in paying too much respect to the opposition. When he has let England loose, they have shown their true character.

"That may be a lingering scar from losing 3-0 to Germany at Wembley last November, when he tried to go toe-to-toe with the world's number one team. But Sampson has now shown that he can set up his team to win in different ways, and with England's first World Cup knockout win on his CV, he is revelling in his role."

Yankey: "Sampson is the tinkerman, that's what everybody has been calling him.

"Previous manager Hope Powell did a great job of setting up the team defensively over the years but the players felt frustrated that we went up to a certain point on the pitch and had no end product. We wanted to express ourselves and we had the creative players to do that.

"England still do know how to defend but Sampson has to give them a licence to express themselves. I really believe they can go and win games."

Coultard: "Sampson is an intelligent guy and I like his game plans. He's not afraid to change his starting line-up to combat the opposition or the conditions and he should claim credit for that."

Brown-Finnis: "This being Sampson's first World Cup, and the first for a couple of players he has brought in as well, Norway was his first massive test.

"Qualifying was pretty simple. No disrespect to the other teams we came up against, but this was a whole different ball game. A whole different set of tactics and a different environment.

"He had a lot of critics coming into this World Cup, people waiting for him to fail and jump on him, so I am really pleased for him and his staff. But more than anything I am pleased for this group of girls. For some, this is their third World Cup and potentially their last.

"For them to make history is superb, and Mark has been an integral part of that. He has kind of revolutionised English football for women."

What sort of threat do Canada pose?

Magowan: "Comparing the World Cup form of the two sides puts England slightly ahead. Canada have stuttered through to the last eight by one-goal victories but they will have a sell-out crowd behind them at BC Place in Vancouver.

"That pressure could go one of two ways. Christine Sinclair was supposed to be the shining light but has failed to reach the heights of the 2012 Olympics when they reached the semi-finals. Other members of the side have carried Canada through.

"There are no star names that England should fear, and they can point to a 1-0 win in the Cyprus Cup in March. A poor England side lost by the same scoreline in their final friendly before the World Cup but that was a few days after landing in the country.

"Canada's English coach John Herdman is a very quotable character and it will be an intriguing battle between him and Sampson, who are matched by their fondness of tactics and crisp white shirts."

Brown-Finnis: "Canada are on home soil but they haven't been firing on all cylinders. They will probably have a few critics to answer and will want to really kick on and give their fans hope they can go all the way.

"Sinclair has amazing qualities. She is Canada's all-time leading scorer and most capped player, but has not come to life. Sophie Schmidt showed promise early on but has not really brought her ability to the table.

Canada defeated Switzerland 1-0 to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals

"I hope they are not saving it for this game against England, and don't knock them out at this stage, because I do believe England can go further. I can see England going out there and creating more history."

Coultard: "I scored two goals against Canada in 1995 and ended up with a black eye, but I don't think England have anything to be frightened of.

"Canada have the weight of expectation on their shoulders whereas England have achieved what they set out to do. They can play with more freedom."

Yankey: "Herdman does like to talk and he will play mind games. Norway tried that a little bit too, with all the talk in the press before the match, but I think England will cope with that, just as they did today.

"If England go 1-0 up on Canada there will be massive pressure on them, because everybody will be expecting them to go through.

"Being an underdog you have nothing to lose. That will take the pressure off us. Against Norway, some of the players looked a bit nervous, as if maybe the history was pinning them down. Now, they can just go out and play."

Liverpool forward Natasha Dowie: "The warm-up game against Canada was not the best of games, it was quite edgy. I think the quarter-final tie will be completely different. England will need to use the crowd as a positive, believe in what they are good at and be a really tight group."

John Herdman is the 39-year-old Englishman in charge of Canada

How far can England go?

Magowan: "Arguably the Norway tie was a more difficult game than the quarter-final against Canada. The Scandinavian team drew with Germany in the group stages, whereas the hosts have yet to face a heavyweight side.

"Should England beat a team which is eighth in Fifa's rankings, two places beneath them, reigning champions Japan are the likely opponents in the semi-finals.

"England beat them 2-0 in the group stages of the World Cup four years ago, and there are plenty of players in the current squad who were involved that day.

"If Sampson's England make it that far, then the tournament can be deemed a success whatever the result, which may just take the pressure off them."

Coultard: "We don't seem able to have two good halves but if we can play like we did in the second half against Norway then England will win.

"Victory over Canada would set up a semi-final against Australia, Japan or Netherlands. All the last eight teams are going to be tough to beat but England have certainly got an easier passage through to the final - if they can beat the hosts."

Japan won the Women's World Cup in 2011, beating USA on penalties in the final

Brown-Finnis: "England have grown a lot. In the first game against France they looked a little unsure and then in the second game against Mexico they set out to become more attacking but reverted to a defensive mentality and became a little unsure of themselves again.

"They applied similar tactics against Colombia in the third game but with different personnel, and you could see the confidence grow and grow. They really became more attacking. What they have certainly proved is that they are defensively solid.

"Being defensively solid and confident when attacking - put those two things together and England could go all the way."


BBC Sport - Women's World Cup: 'Growing England can go all the way'

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Still, I suppose it will be kinda fun when Engerland goes down in flames.

 

[EagleSmack]

Canada vs England.

Well now... there have been plenty of Canada vs USA in sports competitions but I believe this may be the first Canada vs England in head to head competition since I've been here. I could be wrong.

 

[Blackleaf]

Blackleaf, you've said on here several times that women's sports are a bore at best, and generally a disgrace.

I know you ain't real bright, but is a little consistency too much to ask?

Women's football, and women's sport in general, is not as good as the men's version. Nowhere near as good. That is evidenced by the fact that this tournament - the biggest tournament in women's football - has had matches with vast swathes of empty seats in the stadia. It's also evidenced by the fact that, unlike the men's World Cup, there are no houses and vehicles bedecked with St George's Flags and the country isn't going Women's World Cup crazy. But it's the end of the men's football season here and I'm not able to watch any live football except for the women's football, and I'd rather watch women's football than no football at all.

Canada vs England.

Well now... there have been plenty of Canada vs USA in sports competitions but I believe this may be the first Canada vs England in head to head competition since I've been here. I could be wrong.

The two teams have played each other at least twice already this year.

As for the men's footballers, the two countries have met each other once, in a friendly on 24th May 1986 at the Swangard Stadium. England won 1-0 thanks to a 58th minute goal from AC Milan striker Mark Hateley.

 

[coldstream]

Canada vs England.

Well now... there have been plenty of Canada vs USA in sports competitions but I believe this may be the first Canada vs England in head to head competition since I've been here. I could be wrong.

Canada's Women's Soccer Team beat Great Britain 2- 0 in the Quarters of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

They then met the USA in Semis and lost 4 -3 due to the outrageously biased refereeing of Christina Pederson of Norway in favour of the Americans. The USA proceeded to win the Gold on an equally slanted playing field against the Japanese. Canada took the Bronze in the consolation match against the French.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compete under separate banners only in Football (Soccer), Rugby and Cricket to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Blackleaf]

Canada's Women's Soccer Team beat Great Britain 2- 0 in the Quarters of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

They then met the USA in Semis and lost 4 -3 due to the outrageously biased refereeing of Christina Pederson of Norway in favour of the Americans. The USA proceeded to win the Gold on an equally slanted playing field against the Japanese. Canada took the Bronze in the consolation match against the French.

Although remember that even though Great Britain is the sovereign state the Great Britain men's and women's football team is only a part-time football team that usually only plays in some Olympic Games (GB's men's side weren't in the Olympics between 1974 and 2012 and the London 2012 Olympics was the GB's women's side's first Olympics appearance). So that Great Britain women's squad was quickly thrown together with a lot of the players having not played alongside each other before.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland aren't the only non-sovereign states to have their own "national" football teams. Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, has just become the latest member of UEFA and is now in the same group as Scotland and Germany in the Euro2016 qualifiers. You don't have to be an actual country to have your own "national" football team, just a member of FIFA.

FIFA have criticised Britain many times before for having four separate national teams and want them to be abolished and replaced by a permanent GB side. But such a move will not be popular with the fans. Besides, the four UK sides are actually older than FIFA itself.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compete under separate banners only in Football (Soccer), Rugby and Cricket to the best of my knowledge.

The "England" cricket team is actually the England & Wales cricket team. It also represented Scotland, too, until 1992 when Scotland established its own cricket team.

Also, in rugby union there is also a British and Irish Lions side (which also represents the Irish Republic) as well as the separate sides, and in rugby league there is also a Great Britain side as well as the separate sides (Great Britain won the Rugby League World Cup in 1954, 1960 and 1972).

 

[EagleSmack]

Canada's Women's Soccer Team beat Great Britain 2- 0 in the Quarters of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

They then met the USA in Semis and lost 4 -3 due to the outrageously biased refereeing of Christina Pederson of Norway in favour of the Americans. The USA proceeded to win the Gold on an equally slanted playing field against the Japanese. Canada took the Bronze in the consolation match against the French.

Following the rules probably would have helped.

 

[Blackleaf]

All quiet on the Western Front....

England play holders Japan in the Semi-Final on Wednesday after beating a dirty, ill-disciplined Canada side in front of a partisan Vancouver crowd.

Not many football fans will mourn the exit of Canada from this tournament, a team which has upset many by their ill-discipline, much of which they have inexplicably got away with.

Canada's Sesselmann, the worst player on the pitch last night, mysteriously got away with just a yellow card after she scythed down an England player who would have been in on goal - the laws state she should have seen red.

England will play holders Japan in the Semi-Final on Wednesday.

In the last World Cup in 2011, only one team managed to beat Japan- and that was England.

England have a Moore in their side - and they could play Germany in the Final if they get there. It's almost like 1966 all over again.

Women's World Cup - England 2-1 Canada: Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze on target as Lionesses roar into semi-finals for first time

England weathered an early storm and took the lead through Taylor, who pounced on Sesselmann's slip
Darting through on goal, the Portland Thorns striker finished with aplomb from the edge of the area
Three minutes later, they doubled their lead with Bronze netting her second goal in as many games
It could have been three half way through the half, but Chapman's header bounced off the bar
On the stroke of half-time, the hosts pulled one back with Sinclair capitalising on Bardsley's mistake
Mark Sampson's side face holders Japan in Thursday's semi-final

By Peter Carline for MailOnline
28 June 2015
Daily Mail

Women's World Cup

Quarter Final (Vancouver)

England 2-1 Canada
Taylor 11..............Sinclair 42
Bronze 14

England: Bardsley (Chamberlain 50), Bronze, Houghton, Bassett, Rafferty, Moore, Williams (White 79), Jill Scott, Chapman, Taylor, Carney (Stoney 93). Subs not used: Alex Scott, Nobbs, Aluko, Greenwood, Potter, Duggan, Sanderson, Kirby, Telford.

Booked: Moore

Canada: McLeod, Wilkinson (Matheson 62), Buchanan, Sesselmann, Chapman, Lawrence, Scott (Kyle 77), Schmidt, Tancredi (Leon 72), Belanger, Sinclair. Subs not used: Labbe, Zurrer, Moscato, Gayle, Filigno, Fleming, Iacchelli, Nault, LeBlanc.

Booked: Sesselman

Goal: Sinclair 42

Referee: Claudia Umpierrez (Uruguay)


England Women ended 25 years of hurt as their trailblazing run at the World Cup continues after a stirring win over hosts Canada.

Two first-half goals in four minutes from Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze set up a semi-final with holders Japan early on midnight Thursday morning (BST).

Bobby Robson's entertaining England were the last team to reach the last four on the global stage in Italia 90 - and boss Mark Sampson was quick to praise the character of his side.

Following the final whistle, England players celebrate a famous victory over the hosts which sets up a semi-final against holders Japan

Casey Stoney and Steph Houghton run with delight written across their faces following the conclusion of a dramatic victory

Jodie Taylor is a picture of delight following her quite brilliant opening strike which gave England the perfect start to the game

England women made history by reaching the World Cup semi finals for the first time ever thanks to two early goals

Lucy Bronze met Fara Williams' free kick perfectly, sending a nonchalant looping header beyond the clutches of Erin McLeod

Jill Scott of England makes sure Bronze's header crosses the line as England took a 2-0 lead after just 14 minutes

England players flock to Lucy Bronze (No 12) after her second goal in as many games put England in a commanding position

Christine Sinclair was quickest to react as Karen Bardsley palmed Ashley Lawrence's cross into the path of Canada's record scorer

Having won their first knockout game in history int he last 16 against Norway, England's run continued into the semi-finals

Jill Scott follows the ball into the net after Lucy Bronze (not pictured) scored with a header as England extended their lead

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'What a show of resilience and character. We didn't play much football. Credit to Canada, they were outstanding,' he told the BBC.

'But this team won't give in. We got ourselves through. I can't be any prouder of my players.

'Every single England player ran through brick walls. We knew how hard it would be. Every single one of them dug so deep to get us through.'

After winning their first game in the knockout phase with a victory against Norway, England seal a place in the last four for the first time in history.

They were made to work hard for their victory by Canada, who were roared on by a partisan crowd in Vancouver.

England weathered an early storm, with Melissa Tancredi blasting over after cutting inside following an incisive counter-attack.

It was a miss that Canada would rue soon after, with Portland Thorns striker Taylor pouncing on and punishing a slip from Lauren Sesselmann.

In her first World Cup start, Taylor picked up the ball deep in the Canada half, turned a defender a rifled a shot past keeper Erin McLeod from the edge of the area.

Lucy Bronze, scorer of the winner against Norway, doubled the lead three minutes later.

The crowd were stunned into silence as Fara Williams' deep free-kick found Bronze at the far post.

Her looping, nonchalant header found the net via a deflection off the bar, beyond McLeaod's despairing dive.

It was the first time Canada had conceded more than one goal in 15 games, and they were rattled.

Tancredi had her second gilt-edged chance, heading Sophie Schmidt's free-kick over, but England continued to press and remained a threat on set pieces. Indeed, they could have made it three midway though the half after Katie Chapman's header hit the bar.

England's Houghton (right) checks the eye of goalkeeper Karen Bardsley during second half before she was replaced

Bardsley is forced to leave the pitch after her eye injury and was replaced by Siobhan Chamberlain early in the second half

The injury to Bardsley's eye is clear at the end of the match as she applauds the fans at the end of the game after England's win

Canada players look ruefully following the final whistle as the host nation crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage

Fara Williams, who was at the heart of England's midfield, tackles Josee Belanger during a typically gutsy display

McLeod gets her fingertips on the ball to knock it away as Scott and Allysha Chapman look on during a thrilling encounter

Knowing they needed a goal before half-time, Canada forced their way back into the game through superstar Christine Sinclair.
Sinclair started the move, feeding Ashley Lawrence on the edge of the England area. She marched into the box, hitting a cross-c um-shot which was palmed away by Karen Bardsley, but only into the path of Sinclair.

Showing her famed goal poaching ability, she made no mistake from inside the six yard box, hitting her 155th goal from 228 appearances.

The scope of Mark Sampson's half-time team talk dramatically changed, the Lionesses went close through Karen Carney, who scored in group games against Mexico and Colombia, whose 25-yard effort sailed over.

England were forced into a 52nd-minute substitution, Siobhan Chamberlain making her first appearance of the tournament, after keeper Bardsley was forced off with a mystery eye injury.

Canada's Allysha Chapman beats Jill Scott to a header as England threaten to impose themselves on the game

England's players celebrate at the final whistle as they progressed to the semi-final of the Women's World Cup

The two managers, John Herdman (left) and Mark Sampson, shake hands ahead of a thrilling quarter-final

England's goalscorers Bronze and Taylor pose following the match as the Lionesses booked their place in the semi finals

The Lionesses came close to restoring their two-goal advantage with Taylor forcing a fine one-handed save from McLeod.

At the other end, Steph Houghton's hesitation allowed Tancredi to steal in but Houghton's team-mates snuffed out the danger.

With nerves building, England were forced deeper into their own half as the game reached its finale, but they held on to seal a famous victory, which sets up an enticing tie with the holders in Edmonton.

Read more: Women's World Cup - England 2-1 Canada: Jodie Taylor and Lucy Bronze on target as Lionesses roar into semi-finals | Daily Mail Online
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