Women’s World Cup: Lionesses eye top spot, Marta’s record, Sam Kerr can’t stop scoring
England and Scotland play their final games in group D
Today’s Fifa Women’s World Cup fixtures
- Group D: Japan vs. England (8pm, BBC One)
- Group D: Scotland vs. Argentina (8pm, BBC Four and BBC ALBA)
Neville: we want to win every game
England head coach Phil Neville wants to finish top of group D even if it means his side have a tougher fixture in the Women’s World Cup round of 16.
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The Lionesses are already through to the knockout stages and should they win or draw against Japan tonight they would then face one of the best third-place finishers next.
If Japan beat England they would finish top, and Neville’s team would face the Netherlands or Canada in the last-16.
Speaking ahead of the clash against 2011 World Cup winners Japan, Neville said: “My view is that we want to win seven games in this World Cup - no matter what route we take.
“There were five or six permutations, now that’s been whittled down, and there are pitfalls in finishing first and second. We’ve got a long way to go. We are going out to win it with the strongest possible team.”
England forward Toni Duggan, who missed the victories against Scotland and Argentina, is fit for the clash against Japan. The match in Nice kicks off at 8pm (BST) and is live on BBC One.
Scots go for broke against Argentina
If Scotland are to secure a place in the last-16 they will need to beat Argentina in their final group D fixture in Paris.
Despite losing their first two games the Scots still have a chance to qualify as one of the best third-placed sides.
Striker Erin Cuthbert told the BBC that although the clash against Argentina will be tough, Scotland will hope to bring their “A-game” and secure the win.
Cuthbert said: “This is going to be a different game. With the first two we’ve had to be more defensive structurally, and you have to be more mindful of your defensive roles or else they're going to hurt you.
“But Argentina pose a different threat - we might be able to get them to open up and create more spaces. And for us forward players and midfielders we might have better openings and be able to pick pockets out.
“It’s all about us players performing on the night as well. If we bring our A-game they aren’t going to be able to live with us.”
Scotland against Argentina kicks off at 8pm at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The match is live on BBC Four and BBC Alba.
Tuesday’s Women’s World Cup results
- Group C: Jamaica 1 Australia 4; Italy 0 Brazil 1
Marta breaks record and Kerr can’t stop scoring
Last night’s final group C matches saw Italy, Australia and Brazil all qualify for the round of 16.
Italy finished top of the group on goal difference but lost 1-0 against Brazil in Valenciennes. Brazil legend Marta, 33, scored a record 17th World Cup goal to seal third place for her country.
Marta is now the leading World Cup scorer in men’s and women’s tournaments after beating Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s tally of 16.
Australia finished second in the group after their 4-1 win over Jamaica. Star striker Sam Kerr scored all four goals for the Matildas and is now the joint-leading scorer at this year’s World Cup.
After the match Jamaica head coach Hue Menzies said: “I like her attitude, especially in the box. You can’t teach that. I told her after the match that it’s good to sit back and watch her play - I’d pay to watch her.”
Fifa Women’s World Cup fixtures
BBC Sport will show coverage of the World Cup. All times BST.
Wednesday 19 June
- Group D: Japan vs. England (8pm, BBC One); Scotland vs. Argentina (8pm, BBC Four and BBC ALBA)
Thursday 20 June
- Group E: Cameroon vs. New Zealand (5pm, BBC red button and online); Netherlands vs. Canada (5pm, BBC online)
- Group F: Sweden vs. US (8pm, BBC Four); Thailand vs. Chile (8pm, BBC red button and online)
Knockout dates
- 22-25 June: round of 16
- 27-29 June: quarter-finals
- 2-3 July: semi-finals
- 6 July: third/fourth-placed match
Round of 16 fixtures
- 22 June: Germany vs. 3rd place group A/C/D (4.30pm); Norway vs. Australia (8pm)
- 23 June: Group D Winner vs. 3rd Place group B/E/F (4.30pm); France vs. 3rd Place group C/D/E (8pm)
- 24 June: Spain vs. group F winner (5pm); group F second place vs. group E second place (8pm)
- 25 June: Italy vs. 3rd place group A/B/F (5pm); group E winner vs. group D second place (8pm)
When is the final?
The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup final will be played in Lyon on Sunday 7 July (4pm BST).
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