Girly pops!! Girlies! The U20 Women’s World Cup happened (more than a couple weeks ago…) and boy was it a good one.
(As always with all of these youth tournaments) I wish I would have known about it beforehand (instead of like.. two days before it started) because I definitely would have tried to make the trip to Costa Rica so I could watch from the beginning to end. Especially since tickets to the games were only like $5-$10 (a steal and a deal if you ask me!).
Now, the tournament started out with a bang. Literally.
Costa Rica’s captain, Alexandra Pinell, scored a BANGER against Australia in their opening game. Even though her side lost, it was still a memorable moment that will be remembered for years to come.
Picture from @.FIFAWWC on Twitter
Now as for me, obviously I was entertained by all of the teams that represented their countries, BUT I was mainly rooting for the United States and Brazil.
As for the United States… They tried their best.
Picture from @.FIFAWWC on Twitter
They looked good in the first game against Ghana, but after that… Everything went downhill.
(Now, this is where I would write some fun facts and be positive before I get to the negative stuff but I couldn’t find anything so we move. Just watch the highlights linked above <3)
As for the game against the Netherlands, this is where one started to see the little bumps.
Defense was rattled, left exposed, barely had it together.
The girls left so much open space and opportunities for the Netherlands who most definitely took advantage of them.
The goalkeeper could only do oh so much (especially with that first goal… and the second goal).
It was just overall terbs. There was absolutely no chemistry in the team and it was prevalent when they played against Japan, a literal powerhouse.
No thoughts or vibes even, just… pain.
Picture from @.USYNT on Twitter
Now, did the girlies have some close chances here and there? Absolutely, but they were just extremely unlucky. Plus, it was hard for them to take back control of the game to make an extravagant comeback. The frantic-ness and frustration got the best of them.
It would have been nice to see them go farther in the tournament, but after watching the other teams in the tournament it was kind of hard not to admit that the other countries were a lot more prepared. And they were not, and that’s okay
(Not really but we move)
The coach, sorry to her.. But if her job isn’t on the line after this *side eyes*
Anyways.
Moving on to… BRA BRA BRA BRAZILLLLLLL
Ugh, I love this country and their footballing abilities. Such a strong, creative, and skillful team. They played with such style and ~swag~ from the first minute to the very last.
Watching them play was extremely refreshing. Brazilian footie is just something so beautiful, and it’s amazing that no matter the level or gender the way they play is so majestic.
For me personally, Brazil was the most entertaining team to watch throughout the tournament. Is this bias? Eh, maybe but not really because they were extremely fun to watch. I expect nothing less though from the futebol country.
From the passing, to the tricks n’ skills, the goals, and of course.. The dancing *insert tchu tcha tcha beat*.
These meninas should have definitely advanced to the final if it wasn’t for that dusty ref, plus unfortunately it wasn’t their night (again.. the ref was a major reason why).
BUT!! They won third place, which was 100% deserved.
Picture from @. FIFAWWC on Twitter
Highlighted Players
Bruninha
- Best captain
- Great player on the right side and in the back
- Gotham have a gem on their hands
Taciarne
Yaya
- Exciting player to watch (probably their best player in the tournament)
- Oh so good
- Wish she would have gotten a goal or four because man did she deserve it
Aline/Ana Clara
- Underrated gems
- Kept my eyes peeled on them throughout the tournament
💛 Your honor I love them 💚
Picture from @.FIFAWWC on Twitter
Now, let’s get into the FINAL!!
Which was between Spain and Japan, aka, a repeat of the 2018 U20 WWC Final but with a different ending to the story.
*Inserts picture of Japan randomly*
Picture from @.FIFAWWC on Twitter
Personally, I didn’t “care” for this game because:
- It was a repeat of the last final
- I didn’t really care for either team
BUT I was lowkey rooting for Spain to win. Not only because Japan knocked my precious Brazilians out, but because I wanted to see a different ending to the same story from four years ago. Luckily, I (and Spain) got the ending that we wanted.
Now, I wasn’t expecting La Roja to be up 3-0 by halftime. Yes both teams were strong and had an amazing run leading up to the final, but Japan (to me at least) was the scarier and more threatening out of the two.
Mainly because it just seemed like the football gods were always on their side. Like when you think that there is going to be an “Oh, it’s looking a little shaky for them”, but then they end up taking the game at the end and the football gods are just looking down on them like-
So yes. I was a bit stunned to see the Spaniards take the lead and have such dominance in the first half, which they also carried into the second half. Japan did come through, getting a goal back in the 47th minute thanks to Suzu Amano.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for her side, and the game ended 3-1. Sweet revenge for the Spaniards.
España ey ey, cantamos gol gol!! España ey ey, la roja baila!
Picture from @.FIFAWWC on Twitter
Last words..
Competitions like this can really boost a young player’s career, especially in this case with women’s sports and the amount of recognition it has been receiving the past couple of years. I was very excited (and a little surprised) when I found out that these games were being broadcasted on Fox Sports and Fox Sports 2. I definitely wasn’t expecting that especially with it being an under-20 competition, but I’m so glad that it was. To know that these young women and their talents were being broadcasted for many to see made me very happy.
Plus it was nice not having to find some random stream that would nest 200 viruses in my laptop.
On top of that, these girlies are getting recognition not just from fans around the world, but by coaches and staff members from the first teams as well. Even throughout the tournament the commentators were talking about how there may be a chance we see them in next year’s Women’s World Cup. Will they start? Maybe/the possibility is slim, but that call up will mean a lot to these young women.
Pia Sundhage (for example), head coach of the women’s national team, already has her eyes on a couple of the girlies on that U-20 roster.
All in all, I can’t wait to hear the news about these young ladies and see how their careers grow in the upcoming years.
2022 U20 Women’s World Cup, you were very entertaining. Here’s to the U17 Women’s World Cup next month.
P.S.
For some reason FIFA doesn’t have all the highlights videos on their YouTube channel(?) so here is a playlist from Telemundo Deportes!
P.P.S – My favorite/the juiciest game of the tournament (Japan vs France)
ShedainaSpeaks 
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