FIFA

This is the second time the U.S. and the Netherlands have faced off at the World Cup, and the first since the 2019 World Cup final in France, which saw goals from Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe gift the U.S. a 2-0 victory, reports Xinhua. The matchup also marked the first time in Women's World Cup history that the two finalists from the previous tournament met in the group stage.

In Group C, after securing a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in the opening match, Spain began their clash against Zambia with a dream start. Teresa Abelleira scored a stunning goal nine minutes into the game, and Jennifer Hermoso added another goal with a well-timed header four minutes later, reports Xinhua.

It looked for a moment as if the game would end scoreless before the veteran substitute came to the rescue for Italy and scored less than four minutes after entering play to wrap up the win. Cristiana Girelli became the first player to score in two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for Italy. She scored a hat-trick in the 2019 finals against Jamaica.

Spain seized the reins of the match early on. At the 20-minute mark, a powerfully driven cross by Esther Gonzalez forced Valeria Del Campo to inadvertently score an own goal. Costa Rica's goalkeeper, Daniela Solera, was instrumental in keeping the score in check, especially when she parried a penalty from Jenni Hermoso with a spectacular diving save.

The Blue Tigers are unbeaten in 2023 and have picked up three trophies winning the Hero Tri-Nation Cup, Hero Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship in the calendar year. "ᴡᴇ ᴍᴀʀᴄʜ ᴏɴ.. India climbed up to 99 in the latest official @FIFAcom world ranking #BlueTigers #IndianFootball," said the Indian football team in a tweet.

The 2023 tournament is expected to be seen by over two billion people -- the largest audience in history for a single women's sport, which offers an opportunity to celebrate women's achievement in sport and to move the needle -- both for women's football and for gender equality.

This is the first time in five years that the Blue Tigers have reached the top 100, having last been ranked at the 97th place in 2018. "India move up to 100 in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking. Steadily we rise," said the Indian football team's official handle in a tweet. 

According to the financial allocation, each player will receive 30,000 U.S. dollars for the group stage, while the champions will have 270,000 U.S. dollars for each player, with the prize money each player gets between round of 16 and runners-up varying from 60,000 to 195,000 U.S. dollars.

The Chelsea-owned midfielder's flick-on enabled Matteo Prati to head home the deadlock-breaker at the back post. Casadei then doubled the lead, nodding home after his initial knock-down wasn't dealt with. He then conned Arthur and won a penalty, which he himself converted.

In just three days' time, Asia's top 24 teams will learn their route to ultimate glory at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. All eyes will be on Doha for the Final Draw ceremony as the stage is set for the Continent's flagship international tournament, which kicks off on January 12, 2024. After an intense and enthralling qualification period.