Tottenham Women’s five stars to be on the look-out for during the World Cup knockout stages
Seven of Tottenham Women’s stars made the trip across the world from the UK to Australia to represent their country at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and now just five remain.
It has so far been an enthralling tournament and has featured some monumental upsets and plenty of success for the stars of Tottenham. The group-stage phase has claimed three of the top 10 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, including second-placed Germany, as well as seventh-placed Canada and eighth-placed Brazil.
Even USA, world number one and favourites to win the whole competition, were just a fraction away from being eliminated. They finished second in Group E, just one point above Portugal, who narrowly missed a chance against the Americans in the dying moments of their match which would have sent them home.
The heat is now set to be turned up Down Under as the knockout phase gets underway and there is suddenly no more room for error as any mistake could be punished, and result in elimination.
Spurs’ Ria Percival, who was part of co-host New Zealand’s historic first win at a Women’s World Cup, has already been sent home alongside her club teammate Shelina Zadorsky, who was part of the Canadian side surprisingly edged out by Nigeria.
Below are the Tottenham stars left to look out for, their route to a potential final and the chance to show off the trophy at Hotspur Way, while joining Cristian Romero as another World Cup winner in North London.
Drew Spence and Rebecca Spencer – Jamaica, Group F Runners-Up
The Reggae Girlz made history as they qualified for the Women’s World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever, in just their second-ever appearance at the tournament.
In 2019, they became the first Caribbean nation to appear at a Women’s World Cup, although they lost every game and scored just once. In 2023, they have also scored just once, but are also yet to concede and finished the group undefeated.
Midfielder Spence and goalkeeper Spencer have both been vital to the country, with Spurs’ 32-year-old shot-stopper keeping three clean sheets in her three appearances between the sticks.
This, coupled with Spence’s hard work in midfield, has spearheaded the nation to a show-down with Colombia on Tuesday 8 August and an opportunity to keep the party going.
A win would see them meet either England or Nigeria in the quarter-finals and then a potential showpiece match against Australia, Denmark, France or Morocco in the semi-finals.
Rosella Ayane – Morocco, Group H, Runners-Up
One of the biggest upsets in women’s football history took place as 72nd-ranked Morocco, who had already become the first Arabic side to win a match at a Women’s World Cup, finished above world number two side Germany.
Following a win against Colombia in their final group stage clash, the players gathered on the pitch to watch the final moments as Germany were held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea, sending the Atlas Lionesses through.
After the men’s side became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, the ladies built on that achievement and made even more history for the country in their debut appearance at the Women’s World Cup.
Their reward is another mountain to climb, as they get set to take on France in the last 16 on Tuesday 8 August. A win there would send them through to a quarter-final clash with either Australia or Denmark before a semi-final against one of England, Nigeria, Colombia or Jamaica.
Bethany England – England, Group D Winners
England stormed through their group, winning all three of their matches by an aggregate scoreline of 8-1, and despite some sloppy performances during 1-0 wins against Denmark and Haiti, they were ruthless when taking on China.
Only Japan and Sweeden matched their tally of nine points from the other seven groups, and this will give Sarina Wiegman’s side plenty of confidence going into their last 16 clash with Nigeria.
Although England hasn’t had plenty of minutes on the pitch herself, she has made two substitute appearances at the competition and will be hoping to make more of an impact in the latter stages, especially if the games go to extra time and fresh legs are required.
A win against Nigeria would see England and the Lionesses take on either Colombia or Jamaica in the quarter-final before a semi-final showdown with any one of Australia, Denmark, France or Morocco.
Luana Buhler – Switzerland, Group A Winners
Yet to make an appearance for Spurs, the club’s newest recruit is part of the Switzerland squad Down Under who were victorious in Group A, but only just about. The Swiss finished on five points, while Norway finished with four, while both New Zealand and the Philippines left the competition with three each.
Nonetheless, Buhler’s side scraped through and will be involved in the knockout stages, although on the other side of the bracket to the rest of the Tottenham stars.
The 27-year-old defender hasn’t been in either matchday squad since she started on the opening day and it remains to be seen whether she will feature when her country takes on Spain in the last 16.
Should they taste victory here they will then meet either South Africa or the Netherlands before a showdown with Japan, Norway, Sweeden or the USA in the final four.
In other Tottenham news, read more about how Ayane and Morocco stunned the footballing world.