The Short Corner’s proud to bring you Women’s World Cup coverage like never before. Throughout the World Cup, we’ll be exploring the captivating journeys of legendary icons and rising stars as the take the pitch on the world’s biggest stage.

Sweden vs South Africa (2-1)

Even in the pouring rain, Sweden managed to narrowly escape embarrassment with Amanda Ilestedt's 90th-minute winner, rescuing them from a frustrating tie against the African champions. South Africa, ranked 54th, showed resilience and threatened on the counter, leaving the higher-ranked Swedes searching for answers. Despite the victory, Sweden knows they have work to do, and their coach is grateful for set pieces—perhaps a secret weapon they practice a lot—saving the day.

Netherlands vs Portugal (1-0)

In a clash of orange titans, the Netherlands secured a 1-0 victory over Women's World Cup newcomers Portugal, thanks to a first-half goal from Stefanie Van der Gragt, awarded after a VAR review - prompting not one, but two celebrations from the Dutch team. Portugal's resistance held until the 82nd minute, when they finally mustered a shot on target, but the Dutch keeper proved up to the task. Now, the Netherlands eagerly awaits their showdown with the United States, showing no fear and a whole lot of respect for the back to back champions.

France vs Jamaica 🟥 (0-0)

Hervé Renard, the former Saudi Arabia men's manager, took a substantial pay cut to lead France women's team, driven not only by money but also the challenge of guiding the underachieving side to a World Cup triumph. Despite his hero status in the Gulf Kingdom, Renard faces a tall order. In a disjointed and less-than-fluent match against Jamaica's Reggae Girlz, France struggled to find their rhythm and attacking prowess, and their potential as tournament winners remains uncertain. With star players missing and Jamaica displaying tenacity, a hard-fought draw was secured, but the absence of Shaw in the next match due to a red card adds to Jamaica's challenges. This was also the first ever point a Jamaican side has scored in the Women’s World Cup, making it a historic moment for the tenacious Jamaican squad.

Player Spotlight - Wendie Renard

Wendie Renard has made a significant impact in the sport with her exceptional skills and leadership qualities. Born on July 20, 1990, in Schœlcher, Martinique, Renard's career is filled with interesting and unique facts. One standout aspect is her impressive height, standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.87 meters), which gives her a commanding presence on the field, especially in aerial duels. Renard's height has contributed to her success as a central defender, where she has become renowned for her defensive prowess and ability to organize the backline.

Renard's journey began with her youth career at AS Champs-sur-Marne before joining Olympique Lyonnais in 2004. Since then, she has become an integral part of the team's success, helping them dominate French and European women's football. Renard's performances have been instrumental in Lyon's consecutive UEFA Women's Champions League titles, with the team winning the tournament in 2020 and 2021. Renard's career continued to flourish as she has been a key player for the French national team, representing her country in major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA Women's European Championship. Her leadership as the team captain and her defensive skills have earned her accolades and established her as one of the top defenders in the women's game.

Renard's towering presence on the field, coupled with her technical abilities and defensive prowess, make her a formidable force to reckon with. Beyond her achievements as a player, Renard's dedication and professionalism have also earned her respect from teammates and fans alike. Her contributions to Lyon and the French national team, both in terms of defensive solidity and leadership, have solidified her status as one of the most influential and talented players in women's soccer.

Recently, former French captain Wendie Renard, has returned to the France women's national team under new manager Hervé Renard. This comes after her stepping away in February along with fellow stars Diani and Katoto due to dissatisfaction with the previous coach- Corinne Diacre. Manager Hervé Renard decided to re-appoint Renard as the French team captain ahead of the 2023 World Cup campaign as they look to challenge the USA for the title.

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