NPR’s Pien Huang engages in a conversation with Sophie Downey from The Guardian to analyze the Women’s World Cup.
PIEN HUANG, HOST:
The 64th and final game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup soccer tournament is scheduled for tomorrow in Sydney, Australia, and the host country is grappling with a dose of disappointment. Earlier today, Sweden and Australia competed for third place, with Sweden emerging as the victor. With the bronze medal decided, attention now shifts to the battle for silver and gold between Spain and England. Interestingly, whichever team emerges victorious will become a first-time world champion. Joining us now is reporter Sophie Downey, who has extensively covered the tournament in both New Zealand and Australia over the past month. Welcome, Sophie.
SOPHIE DOWNEY: Hi. Thank you for having me on.
HUANG: So, Sophie, how would you characterize the final match between Spain and England? Are there any clear favorites?
DOWNEY: I wouldn’t say there’s a clear favorite. Both sides possess their own weaknesses and strengths. However, in terms of mentality, England has an edge. Having reached the final in last summer’s European Championships on home soil and emerged victorious, they have already experienced the intensity of a major tournament. This might give them a slight advantage. Nevertheless, the match is expected to be an intriguing and captivating encounter between the two teams.
HUANG: Yeah, there are undoubtedly talented players on both sides. So, who should we keep an eye on for Spain and England?
DOWNEY: For England, the striking duo comprising of Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo has shown remarkable synergy this tournament. Their partnership has flourished unexpectedly, adding dynamism to the front line. Another important factor for England is the potential return of Lauren James, who made a strong impression in the first two games before getting sent off. She is now available for selection, which poses a significant decision for Sarina Wiegman.
On the Spanish side, we have the exceptional Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner. She has been grappling with an ACL injury and has had limited playing time throughout the tournament. Additionally, keep an eye out for the exciting young talent, 19-year-old Salma Paraluello. She has displayed immense promise, scoring the winner against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and again against Sweden in the semifinals. She is definitely one to watch.
HUANG: Great. Let’s turn our attention to the third-place match that took place earlier. It must have been disappointing for Australia’s fans, despite their commendable journey in the tournament. How has the mood been today?
DOWNEY: I was present in the fan park in Sydney to witness the game, and the atmosphere was incredibly buoyant before the match. However, there was a tinge of disappointment afterwards. It seemed like one game too many for Australia. The adrenaline rush from the semifinal against England, which attracted a crowd of 75,000 in an Australian stadium, left an array of emotions. They appeared exhausted, given the long and demanding tournament. Nevertheless, if we look beyond the result, the achievements of the Australian team throughout the past month have been indescribable. The impact it has had on the country and the extraordinary support it has garnered is unprecedented. People have been lining up outside Nike stores and fan zones just to catch a glimpse of the team. Australia has fully embraced the sport.
HUANG: In just a minute, I’d like to touch upon the surprises of this tournament, including the unexpected early exit of the U.S. What are your main takeaways from this year’s World Cup?
DOWNEY: I believe women’s football is now more competitive than ever. The field has leveled, and everyone is catching up. The dominance that the U.S. exhibited for a long time has diminished, and European nations and other countries have made significant investments in their women’s teams. Personally, my biggest surprise has been the expansion to 32 teams, which I initially thought might have been premature from the previous 24. However, I am delighted to have been proven wrong, as the new teams have contributed greatly to the tournament. Teams like Ireland and Haiti have come to compete, and we have witnessed a lack of lopsided results. The competition has been incredibly fierce.
HUANG: All right. We must conclude there. Thank you for joining us, Sophie Downey, reporting from Australia.
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