Sweden Women v USA Women, Women's World Cup, Round of 16, International Football, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - 06 Aug 2023
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Putnam/Shutterstock (14042324bi)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Megan Rapinoe of USA misses her penalty in the shootout as Sweden plays USA at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023
Sweden Women v USA Women, Women's World Cup, Round of 16, International Football, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - 06 Aug 2023
The U.S. went with splattered shorts that match the jerseys, as opposed to the navy ones they've been wearing. I'm sad that Rapinoe's national team career ended on a missed PK, but that's soccer for you. Gotta find the back of the net if you don't want to leave it up to that kind of chance.
Julie Ertz
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Isabel Infantes/Shutterstock (14040959co)
Midfielder Julie Ertz of United States and forward Stina Blackstenius of Sweden
Sweden Women v USA Women, Women's World Cup, Round of 16, International Football, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - 06 Aug 2023
And a fond farewell to Julie, who announced her retirement right after the game ended. Presumably she had that on the brain and didn't just retire out of a broken heart.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Putnam/Shutterstock (14042324an)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Zecira Musovic of Sweden punches a cross away as Sweden plays USA at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 06, 2023
Sweden Women v USA Women, Women's World Cup, Round of 16, International Football, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - 06 Aug 2023
The player of the game, SURELY, was Zecira Musovic, the Swedish goalie. She made incredible stops all day -- I'd argue that game would've been 2-0 USA, at least, with anyone else in net.
Mina Tanaka (Japan) vs Norway
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Lintott/lintottphoto/Shutterstock (14041334j)
Japan's Mina Tanaka goes up for a header during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Norway and Japan at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday, 5 August 2023.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 - Norway v Japan, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand - 05 Aug 2023
I did not expect the pastel unis from Japan here. They're SO different -- in case you forgot their other kits...
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joe Serci/SPP/Shutterstock (14030662be)
Japan vs Spain. FIFA World Cup. Group C. Wellington. New Zealand.
Japan v Spain, FIFA Womens World Cup 2023, Group C, Football, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand - 31 Jul 2023
So JAZZY, and with the socks! Japan went all out.
Switzerland vs Spain
Mandatory Credit: Photo by CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Shutterstock (14041523t)
(230805) - AUCKLAND, Aug. 5, 2023 (Xinhua) - Lara Marti of Switzerland lives with Athenea Del Castillo of Spain during the round of 16 matches between Switzerland and Spain at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand, Aug. 5, 20 23.
Switzerland vs Spain, Women World Cup Fifa - 05 Aug 2023
The Spanish team also busted out really lovely alternate uniforms. They look like a beautiful version of... I don't know, something you'd see under a microscope in biology class.
Thembi Kgatlana
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus/Shutterstock (14040399bb)
Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa chases after a through ball; Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, NSW, Australia: FIFA Womens World Cup Round of 16 Football, Netherlands versus South Africa.
The Netherlands v South Africa, FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, Football, Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - 06 Aug 2023
She was AWESOME to watch. The first half of that Netherlands match against South Africa felt like one where you genuinely couldn't blink.
Sherida Spitse
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus/Shutterstock (14040399bx)
Sherida Spitse of Netherlands acknowledges the crowd after the game win 2-0; Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, NSW, Australia: FIFA Womens World Cup Round of 16 Football, Netherlands versus South Africa.
The Netherlands v South Africa, FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, Football, Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - 06 Aug 2023
Her sleeve looks pretty cool poking out of those orange jerseys.
Jamaica vs Brazil
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Putnam/Shutterstock (14032699bc)
Jamaica plays Brazil at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 02, 2023
Jamaica Women v Brazil Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group F, International Football, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia - 02 Aug 2023
And then here we have Jamaica's pin stripes, versus Brazil's personality-plus sleeves. I think Brazil's would have looked better with blue shorts. Or yellow. Also, WILD that Brazil didn't advance, and sad to say goodbye to the legend Marta.
Morocco vs Colombia
Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Worsfold/Shutterstock (14033582ed)
Linda Caicedo of Colombia and Hanane Ait El Haj of Morocco
Morocco Women v Colombia Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group H, International Football, Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia - 03 Aug 2023
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevin Manning/Action Plus/Shutterstock (14028383bk)
Leicy Santos of Columbia comes forward to take a corner kick; Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, NSW, Australia: FIFA Womens World Cup Group H Football, Germany versus Colombia.
Germany Women v Colombia Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group H, Football, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia - 30 Jul 2023
Okay, but THESE were a surprise. They're like an ode to the cosmos.
Lauren James
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Morgan Hancock/Shutterstock (14031469bn)
Lauren James of England scores the third goal
China Women v England Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group D, International Football, Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia - 01 Aug 2023
LOVE Lauren James. She kicks butt.
Panama vs France
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevin Manning/Action Plus/Shutterstock (14031201bo)
Yomira Pinzon of Panama shoots and scores from the penalty spot for 2-4 in the 64th minute; Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, NSW, Australia: FIFA Womens World Cup Group F Football, Panama versus France.
Panama Women v France Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group F, International Football, Allianz Stadium, Moore Park, Sydney, Australia - 02 Aug 2023
I like that smart blue stripe down the sides.
Australia vs Canada
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Putnam/Shutterstock (14030203ax)
Teams compete for a header as Australia plays Canada
Canada Women v Australia Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group B, International Football, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Perth, Australia - 31 Jul 2023
Australia surprised me with the blue unis. But they ARE a huge swimming country and those reminds me of diving into a pool, so.
South Korea vs Germany
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus/Shutterstock (14031199bo)
Klara Buhl of Germany takes on Garam Chun of the Korea Republic; Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: FIFA Womens World Cup Group H Football, Korea Republic versus Germany.
South Korea Women v Germany Women, FIFA Women's World Cup, Group H, International Football, Suncorp Stadium, Milton, Brisbane, Australia - 03 Aug 2023
The pink and red is BOLD. Germany's kit is crisp, though. I can't believe they ALSO bowed out early. What a fun World Cup it's been.
