Key events
Michelle has got in on our juice v squash debate ahead of kick-off! She has said: “I call it juice. Squash is a tiny fruit.” Thank you, one for my team!
The players are out on the pitch and the anthems will soon follow suit. Jamaica are favourites to win this but can Panama cause a shock?
So Walsh will miss England’s last group match and Ada Hegerberg will not be available for Norway in theirs:
My body wants me to have another coffee but its probably not the right decision to make! I will stick to juice for now. Do you call it juice or squash? My friends correct me all the time as I always go for juice. Let me know your thoughts via Twitter or email.
Brazil’s Ary Borges still sits top of the Golden Boot race but can she hold on? have a look at the battle:
An update on England’s Keira Walsh:
Following a scan late on Saturday afternoon, we can confirm Keira Walsh has not suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Walsh has been ruled out of Tuesday’s final Group D match and will remain at our Terrigal base to continue her recovery.
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2023
France have beaten Brazil 2-1 which has blown this group wide open! The group stands with France have four points, Brazil on three points, Jamaica on one and Panama have none. How will it look after this game coming up? Catch up with all the reaction to France v Brazil:
And a fun fact from Jamaica’s guide: “Thirteen of Jamaica’s 23-member squad will be making their first World Cup appearances. That number includes the five England-born players – Rebecca Spencer, Vyan Sampson, Atlanta Primus, Drew Spence and Paige Bailey-Gayle. Also of note is that Cheyna Matthews, like she did in 2019, has returned shortly after giving birth to make the World Cup squad.” Full piece:
Panama’s rising star starts in today’s match, have a read about her from our guide: “A move to Europe in the near future is not out of the question for 18-year-old Deysiré Salazar. The player from Colón has excelled for the national side since making her debut in 2020 and is already a league champion with her club side Tauro. She could go on to be one of the most important players in Panamanian football history, and is on the radar of clubs in the US.” Full piece:
France v Brazil is in its closing stages and what a match is has been! See if France can see out their lead here:
Panama have announced their line-up. Vargas, Jaen, Mills, Quintero and Riley all make way for Salazar, Natis, L Cedeno, Tanner and Gonzalez
Starting XI: Bailey, Natis, Castillo, Pinzon, Salazar, L Cedeno, Gonzalez, Coz, Tanner, Cedeno, Baltrip-Reyes
Jamaica’s team news is here! They make three changes to their line-up with Carter, Cameron and McKenna in for Shaw, Wiltshire and Matthews.
Starting XI: Spencer, Blackwood, A Swaby, C Swaby Sampson, Spence, Primus, Carter, Brown, Cameron, McKenna
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the final game of day nine at the World Cup. Panama take on Jamaica in a Group F clash which could have a bearing on who progresses to the knock-out stage.
If Brazil beat France in their match, which is being played right now, they will secure a last 16 spot. Any other result and both spots are still up for grabs. The other qualifying position will definitely not be decided until the final group games.
Jamaica had a great outing against France, holding them to a 0-0 draw. However, they will be without influential captain Bunny Shaw after she saw a red card in the first match. Panama were beat convincingly by Brazil but they will be looking at this game as a way to throw a punch at this World Cup.
The team news for both nations will be announced imminently and so stay tuned ahead of kick-off in an hour’s time.
