FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 Group D
The key to this group is likely to be the match between Japan and England, both of whom expect to do well in this tournament. Japan won the World Cup in 2011 and were finalists in 2015. Argentina's presence is a miracle of determination in the face of institutional sexism and downright hostility from the Argentinian Football Association.
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Knock-Out Stages
2019 Overview
England
Scotland
England 2 Scotland 1
Allianz Riviera, Nice
9 June
An average TV audience of 4.6 million set a new record for a women's football match and demonstrated how much interest there now is in the UK. First half goals by Nikita Parris (14' pen) and Ellen White (40') put England in control. Beth Mead had the ball in the net again in the second half but was correctly judged to have been offside. As England started to appear complacent, Scotland refused to fold and Claire Emslie reduced the deficit from close range in the 79th minute to set up a nervy last ten minutes.
Argentina
Japan
Argentina 0 Japan 0
Parc des Princes, Paris
10 June
A gutsy performance by Argentina brought them their first ever point in the World Cup finals. They rarely threatened to score but showed enough discipline in defence to frustrate Japan's efforts in attack.
Japan
Scotland
Japan 2 Scotland 1
Roazhon Park, Rennes
14 June
Japan completely dominated the first half forcing Scotland onto the backfoot. A long range shot by Iwabuchi (23") and a penalty converted by Sugasawa (37') gave them a secure lead at half-time. Scotland were better after the break and were encouraged when Lana Clelland scored with a thunderbolt of a shot in the 88th minute but ihe goal came too late to make any difference to the result.
England
Argentina
England v Argentina
Stade Océane, Le Havre
14 June
England qualified for the knock-out phase but they had to work hard against an Argentinian side that continued to confound the experts. Thanks to a brilliant performance from their goalkeeper, Vanina Corea, blatant time-wasting and some cynical fouls, Argentina seemed on course to frustrate England and secure another draw. The deadlock was broken in the 61st minute when a rare Argentinian attack broke down. England counter attacked quickly, Mead's cross for once fooled Correa and Jodie Taylor, running in on the blindside, turned the ball into the net.
Japan
England
Japan 0 England 2
Alianz Riviera, Nice
19 June
Two goals from Ellen White secured England a place in the next phase and revenge for their cruel defeat by Japan in Canada four years ago. As in their previous games, England took an early lead and then rather lost the plot and it was touch and go whether they would hold on to their lead until White's scored her second in the 84th minute.
Scotland
Argentina
Scotland 3 Argentina 3
Parc des Princes, Paris
19 June
Scotland threw away a three-goal lead and went crashing out of the World Cup in dramatic fashion. All seemed well until Milagros Menéndez scored in the 74th minute and Lee Alexander deflected the ball into her own goal five minutes later. Deep into injury time, Argentina were awarded a VAR penalty which Alexander saved. Scotland's relief was short lived, however, when the penalty was ordered to be retaken after a VAR review. This time Bonsegundo made no mistake and Scotland were out.