FIFA World Cup 2023, Women’s World Cup, news, schedule, games, match fixtures, results, Netherlands cheating, Jill Scott tattoo

A goalless draw might seem like a disappointing outcome. Not for Jamaica, the world’s 43rd-ranked team, who stunned world number five France last night in Sydney.

Jamaica are playing in their second World Cup after making their debut in France 2019. But that time out, they copped three hammerings – 4-1 to Australia, 5-0 to Italy, and 3-0 at the hands of Brazil.

And this time around, they had to turn to crowd-funding to help get them to Australia, with one fundraising effort currently sitting just over $50,000 USD

So picking up the Reggae Girlz’ first point at a World Cup was a momentous occasion – particularly against a competition heavyweight and playing in front of over 39,000 fans.

Jamaica’s players celebrated the final whistle as though they had won the entire tournament, and even did a lap of honour to thank the crowd.

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Coach Lorne Donaldson proudly declared in his post-match press conference that it was the biggest win in Jamaica’s football history – male or female.

“I would say it’s the number one result that we’ve had so far. You’re playing a team like France who are just fantastic. To answer it, it’s the number one result I have seen, men or women, I would put it there.

“If you go by the rankings, you would say that result on this stage has to be number one.”

Left-back Deneisha Blackwood gave one of the finest individual performances of the tournament so far, earning her the player of the match award and being chaired off the pitch by her teammtes.

She said in the post-match press conference: “Yes it does (feel like a win). Obviously last World Cup we didn’t get a point. I think just to get a point in such a big game is just really a victorious feeling for us.”

Asked why the underdog teams are performing so well this World Cup against heavyweight nations, she said: “I’m not saying the bigger team doesn’t have heart but I think smaller team coming to these games, we have a lot on the line and I think we just play with our heart.

“The football world is growing and I think that shows in smaller countries too.”

Donaldson said his side was just one of many smaller nations who are increasingly full of belief they can challenge the top sides.

Already this tournament, New Zealand has stunned Norway, South Africa took the lead against world number three Sweden, and Haiti only fell 1-0 to European champions England. There have been many more competitive clashes despite the expansion of the tournament to 32 teams.

Donaldson said: “I think if you look at once upon a time, the US by far was very very dominant. I think you can see the gap is closing.

“And the smaller nations are jumping on that bandwagon and saying ‘we can do this too’.”

More upsets are certainly on the cards – with Morocco and Panama both hoping to make history in their first World Cup games today.

But there was one sad moment for Jamaica, with superstar Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw of Manchester City earning a red card in stoppage time, meaning she’ll miss their next match.

REPORTER’S SHOCKING QUESTION REVEALED

World Cup debutants Morocco will make history today when they face Germany in their maiden match at the tournament.

Morocco are the first Arab country to feature at a women’s World Cup, while Nouhaila Benzina will also become the first player to wear a hijab in tournament history.

And while their pre-match press conference on Wednesday had plenty of touching moments about the milestone moment and the team’s fighting spirit, one shocking moment derailed the event.

A BBC reporter asked captain Ghizlane Chebbak about her country’s ban on same-sex relationships.

“In Morocco it’s illegal to have a gay relationship,” he said. “Do you have any gay players in your squad, and what’s life like for them in Morocco?”

The question was immediately shut down by a moderator, saying: “Sorry, this is a very political question. We’ll restrict it to questions related to football please.”

The reporter replied: “It’s not political! No, no, no. It’s about people. It’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.”

Chebbak and coach Reynold Pedros were clearly taken aback, looking at each other in surprise. According to reports, other attendees of the press conference were “audibly dismayed”, while one journalist confronted the BBC reporter after the presser concluded.

Many journalists and fans around the world were dismayed by the question, given the risk to player wellbeing and safety if Chebbak spoke out against her nation’s laws or publicly outed a teammate.

The Athletic’s Steph Yang said: “From a harm reduction perspective, this is not an appropriate question for a player and would have endangered the players themselves.”

Morocco open their campaign against Germany this afternoon before playing South Korea, and Colombia.

“We are not here just to make up the numbers only, but to compete,” Chebbak said through a translator.

“We are honoured to be the first Arab country to take part in the Women’s World Cup.”

Coach Pedros said: “We are ready to fight, we are ready to go against this exceptional team. We have also prepared for ourself to do great things. Today we are determined and we are approaching this game with a lot of serenity.

“It’s the first game for the World Cup for us but it’s exciting. We really want to be here, we are very happy to be here… we have to be better than this team (Germany).”

CHEATING STORM ERUPTS AFTER COACH CAUGHT ON CAMERA

The World Cup has reached its fifth day of action, with a number of massive teams in action. But a cheating storm has erupted after the Netherlands’ head coach was caught on camera appearing to tell a player to fake injury in their opening cup match.

Holland, ranked ninth in the world, beat Cup debutants Portugal 1-0 on Sunday in Dunedin. The Dutch heavyweights were far from their best, leaving coach Andries Jonker full of headaches ahead of his team’s blockbuster Group E clash with two-time reigning champions USA.

That match, which will be played on Thursday night, is a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.

But Jonker has ignited controversy after appearing to tell midfield superstar Danielle van de Donk to “sit down” – seemingly to fign injury so the coach could give instructions to his players while van de Donk received treatment.

Jonker repeatedly says “Go sit down, sit down.”

Hilariously, Champions League winner van de Donk told him that teammate Daphne van Domselaar should instead be the player to fake an injury, saying: “Daphne could do it.”

But van de Donk eventually listened to her coach and sat down, claiming a calf injury. The match was paused as she received attention from medical staff – giving Jonker the chance to speak to his other players.

Van de Donk plays for French giants Lyon alongside Australian partner Ellie Carpenter, who is currently competing in the World Cup with the Matildas.

Defender Stefanie van der Gragt scored the only goal for Netherlands in the win.

RESULTS: Every Women’s World Cup result and full group standings

DAY FOUR WRAP: Superstar sent off in wild scenes as Jamaica secure first-ever point

TALKING POINTS: Kerr truth brave Matildas can’t deny; glaring World Cup question emphatically answered