ADELAIDE: Ary Borges shone bright at the Women’s World Cup on Monday, scoring a hat-trick to lead an impressive Brazil, while Germany also secured a big win to kick off their campaign.
In a thrilling match, Italy narrowly defeated Argentina 1-0, relying on a late header from substitute Cristiana Girelli to secure the victory.
Brazil, a team with a strong Women’s World Cup history but no title wins, began their campaign in style with a resounding 4-0 victory over debutants Panama. Borges, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, not only netted a hat-trick but also set up another goal in a sweeping team move, producing one of the standout moments of the tournament so far.
Germany, considered one of the favorites, demonstrated their prowess in a dominant 6-0 win against Morocco, the first Arab team to compete at a Women’s World Cup. Alexandra Popp scored two goals, and the German team showcased clinical finishing in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 27,000 in Melbourne.
Lower-Ranked Teams in Women’s World Cup
The lower-ranked teams have shown resilience in the 32-team tournament, but Germany’s performance proved their status as a formidable force.
Argentina faced Italy in a hard-fought encounter that yielded six yellow cards. Girelli’s late header ensured Italy claimed the victory in Auckland, leaving Argentina still in search of their first Women’s World Cup win after three previous appearances in the finals.
With excitement building, the Women’s World Cup continues as Colombia takes on South Korea in Group H on Tuesday, and New Zealand faces debutants the Philippines. Additionally, Switzerland will face former champions Norway in the third match of the day.
As the tournament progresses, the competition promises more thrilling matches and exceptional performances as teams vie for the coveted Women’s World Cup title.
