World Cup Thighlights: Group Play

Kelley O'Hara (USA) and Kosovare Asllani (Sweden)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP/Shutterstock (10317876bc) United States' Kelley O Hara leaps over Sweden's Kosovare Asllani during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and the United States at Stade Océane, in Le Havre, France Sweden US WWCup Soccer, Le Havre, France - 20 Jun 2019

I say it often and I'll repeat it: Sports photography can be so fun. The framing of this is so divine, even if it was happenstance.

Tobin Heath (USA)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP/Shutterstock (10317876az) United States' Tobin Heath, left, and Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo battle for the ball during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and the United States at Stade Océane, in Le Havre, France Sweden US WWCup Soccer, Le Havre, France - 20 Jun 2019

Tobin Heath is calf goals. And skill goals. And goal goals. I believe they decided that shot glanced off the Swedish defender's foot and called it an Own Goal, but whatever. No. Heath cut a gutsy angle. If it were 2003 I would be like, "Own goal? Try PWN GOAL, Y'ALL."

Abby Dahlkemper (USA) and Stina Blackstenius (Swe)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10317846bn) USA's Abby Dahlkemper (L) in action with Sweden's Stina Blackstenius (R) during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 group F match between Sweden and USA in Le Havre, France, 20 June 2019. FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Le Havre, France - 20 Jun 2019

"Pardon me, can we just talk about your shirts, and why all make you look like you're sweating blue ink? ... Oh, you're busy, my bad. Perhaps later."

Mallory Pugh (USA) and Fridolina Rolfo (Swe)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP/Shutterstock (10317876bg) United States' Mallory Pugh, left, and Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo battle for the gal during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and the United States at Stade Océane, in Le Havre, France Sweden US WWCup Soccer, Le Havre, France - 20 Jun 2019

The focus on their faces, in the likelihood of total knee doom. I look at this and think it cannot have a happy patellar ending.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP/Shutterstock (10317876bh) United States' Mallory Pugh, left, and Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo battle for the gal during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and the United States at Stade Océane, in Le Havre, France Sweden US WWCup Soccer, Le Havre, France - 20 Jun 2019

But I guess it somehow did? They threaded the damn needle.

Alex Morgan and Megan Rapino (USA)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10302461ab) Alex Morgan of USA celebrates with Megan Rapinoe after scoring her side's twelfth goal USA v Thailand, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - 11 Jun 2019

This shot encapsulates how the game against Thailand went for Thailand: Our team won 13-0. Megan and Alex are back there making a piano picture, and the Thai player is like, "I mean...... what can we even do? WE TRIED." If it helps, I like their uniforms. I ALSO like the red version of the USA kit, although I like the sleeves on the white jerseys.

Alex Morgan and Miranda Nild

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP/Shutterstock (10302705g) United States' Alex Morgan hugs Thailand's Miranda Nild at the end of the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between United States and Thailand at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, France,. United States beat Thailand 13-0 US Thailand WWCup Soccer, Reims, France - 11 Jun 2019

"Don't cry. You've got GREAT ponytail game and the rest will come."

Nigeria vs. South Korea (Ji So-yun)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/BPI/Shutterstock (10303080j) Ji So-yun of South Korea is booked for a dive in the penalty area by referee Anastasia Pustovoytova Nigeria v Korea Republic, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France - 12 Jun 2019

So, here's the deal: I wrote all those World Cup posts about the men, but I have zero memory of anyone's uniforms except for Nigeria. It's possible ALL of these are the same, but all I can recall in my sad waning mind is that Nigeria had the lime green with the zig-zag sleeves and that they looked FUN AS HELL, and I stand by that. The referee here is giving me a yellow card for inability to comment in an informed manner, and I resemble that penalty.

Karina Saevik, Norway

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/Shutterstock (10303306cd) Karina Saevik of Norway France v Norway, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade de Nice, Nice, France - 12 Jun 2019

This is all well and good, and that ponytail is a serious blond whip, but why are their shoes citrusy? Wouldn't red or blue have made more sense? Did all their shoes get stolen by the French pre-match and they had to go shopping at the Dutch training facility?

Delphine Cascarino, France

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/Shutterstock (10303306cw) Delphine Cascarino of France France v Norway, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade de Nice, Nice, France - 12 Jun 2019

Her muscles remind me that I need to run more. Like, a whole bunch more. Perhaps more than my body actually wants to run.

Nana Ichise (Japan) and Jane Goldman (Scotland)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Vincent/AP/Shutterstock (10310523az) Scotland's Jane Goldman, right, vies for the ball against Japan's Nana Ichise during the Women's World Cup Group D soccer match between Japan and Scotland at the Roazhon Park in Rennes, France Japan Scotland WWCup Soccer, Rennes, France - 14 Jun 2019

"Oh, wow, Mondo Hackey Sack is the BEST game."

Erin Cuthbert (Scotland)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by SRDJAN SUKI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10315536y) Argentina's Ruth Bravo (L) in action against Scotland's Erin Cuthbert (R) during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 group D soccer match between Scotland and Argentina in Paris, France, 19 June 2019. FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Paris, France - 19 Jun 2019

This is now Scotland vs. Argentina, not that you can tell, because Argentina's and Japan's unis seem very similar. I do not have the SLIGHTEST idea why Scotland went with pink. It looks like when a sports team decides to make all its jerseys in pink and with sparkles, because GIRLS. However, this game was SERIOUSLY physical. For example, her ankle looks like it might be in a very precarious position here. (I believe it was fine.)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by SRDJAN SUKI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10315536au) Argentina's goalkeeper Vanina Correa (L) in action against Scotland's Fiona Brown (R) during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 group D soccer match between Scotland and Argentina in Paris, France, 19 June 2019. FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Paris, France - 19 Jun 2019

And OW. (The best action shots were all from this game.) Sometimes I think soccer looks fun, and then sometimes I see these shots.

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10315496bx) Fiona Brown of Scotland is caught in a goal mouth scramble Scotland v Argentina, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Parc des Princes, Paris, France - 19 Jun 2019

I MEAN. This is carnage.

Kim Little of Scotland, Aldana Cometti of Argentina

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10315496m) Kim Little of Scotland is tackled by Aldana Cometti of Argentinae Scotland v Argentina, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Parc des Princes, Paris, France - 19 Jun 2019

And OH MY GOD.

Jackie Groenen (NED) and Jessie Fleming (CAN)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10317738aj) Jackie Groenen (R) of the Netherlands in action against Jessie Fleming (L) of Canada during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 group E soccer match between the Netherlands and Canada in Reims, France, 20 June 2019. FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Reims, France - 20 Jun 2019

"We are SO going to win Synchronized Soccer this year."

Maria Jose Urrutia (Chile) and Lindsey Horan (USA)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Thibault Camus/AP/Shutterstock (10311754e) Chile's Maria Jose Urrutia jumps for the ball with United States' Lindsey Horan, right, during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between the United States and Chile at the Parc des Princes in Paris United States Chile WWCup Soccer, Paris, France - 16 Jun 2019

"This one-legged lift is the hardest one of my career."

Nana Ichise of Japan, Ellen White of England

"No NO, you're messing up the choreography I'm supposed to roll over your back!" (I am bored by England's uniforms. I seem to recall feeling this way about the men's white kit also. I think... I just very rarely like a white uniform.)

Ellen White

"Go go gadget LASER EYEBALLS."

England manager Phil Neville

"No. THESE are spirit fingers."

Phil Neville

"In the movie of this event, my jaw and I will play ourselves."

Jodie Taylor and Beth Mead, England

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Currie/BPI/Shutterstock (10310700df) Jodie Taylor of England celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with Beth Mead of England England v Argentina, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade Oceane, Le Havre, France - 14 Jun 2019

Randomly, THIS is England's other set of uniforms. Why MAROON, y'all? That is not your flavor of red. You're not Arkansas or whatever.

Nichelle Price (Canada) and Ali Riley (NZ)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/BPI/Shutterstock (10311267p) Nichelle Prince of Canada heads at Goal as Ali Riley of New Zealand blocks her Canada v New Zealand, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France - 15 Jun 2019

"Look, let's just agree that NEITHER of us will look and we'll see what happens."

Abby Dahlkemper, Daniela Zamora (Chile)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Thibault Camus/AP/Shutterstock (10311754ap) United States' Abby Dahlkemper jumps for the ball with Chile's Daniela Zamora, right, during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between the United States and Chile at the Parc des Princes in Paris United States Chile WWCup Soccer, Paris, France - 16 Jun 2019

This photo is amazing. It almost looks like Zamora has begun to faint dead away in defeat. But I like Chile's peek of blue around the collar. Something to fight for, Chile!

Nahikari Garcia (Spain) and Wu Haiyan (China)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Francisco Seco/AP/Shutterstock (10312577ad) Spain's Nahikari Garcia, right, chases down China's Wu Haiyan during the Women's World Cup Group B soccer match between China and Spain at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France China Spain WWCup Soccer, Le Havre, France - 17 Jun 2019

China's uniforms look good; Spain's look... like they could be almost any country other than Spain.

Giulia Twin (Germany) and Notando Vilakazi (South Africa)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/Shutterstock (10312631bf) Giulia Twin of Germany and Notando Vilakazi of South Africa South Africa v Germany, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France - 17 Jun 2019

I like Germany's shirt a lot -- that color pattern evokes the flag -- and South Africa's also seems right, and HOLY CATS I am concerned about her groin muscles.

Kim Doyeon (South Korea) and Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland (Norway)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by TOLGA BOZOGLU/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10312690n) Kim Doyeon (front) of Korea Republic in action against Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland (C) of Norway during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 Group A soccer match between South Korea and Norway in Reims, France, 17 June 2019. FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Reims, France - 17 Jun 2019

"Mine! Mine! MINE."

Italy vs Brazil

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10314576az) Cristiana Girelli of Italy holds her head after going close to scoring Italy v Brazil, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes, France - 18 Jun 2019

"You're RIGHT, I ALSO don't understand why Italy uses blue!"

Marta (Brazil) and Elena Linari (Italy)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10314576k) Marta of Brazil is tackled by Elena Linari of Italy Italy v Brazil, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes, France - 18 Jun 2019

"I would suggest you stay down."

Havana Solaun (Jamaica) and Lydia Williams (Australia)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/BPI/Shutterstock (10314701ab) Havana Solaun of Jamaica rounds Goalkeeper Lydia Williams of Australia to score and make the scores 1-2 Jamaica v Australia, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France - 18 Jun 2019

"No, don't get up, it's better that way."

Netherlands vs. Canada

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10317709aj) Christine Sinclair of Canada celebrates scoring her side's first goal Netherlands v Canada, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - 20 Jun 2019

"Guys? Guys, you said we could do a human pyram... sigh, okay, never mind, do your goal thing."

Den-Den Blackwood (Jamaica) and Hayley Raso (Australia)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Laurent Cipriani/AP/Shutterstock (10314713ak) Jamaica's Den-Den Blackwood, top, jumps over Australia's Hayley Raso during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Jamaica and Australia at Stade des Alpes stadium in Grenoble, France Jamaica Australia WWCup Soccer, Grenoble, France - 18 Jun 2019

"IT'S TWO-PERSON PYRAMID TIME! GET ON BOARD!"

Allysha Chapman (Canada) and Shanice Van De Sanden (Ned)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Francisco Seco/AP/Shutterstock (10317773j) Canada's Allysha Chapman and Netherlands' Shanice Van De Sanden, front, vie for the ball during the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between the Netherlands and Canada at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, France Netherlands Canada WWCup Soccer, Reims, France - 20 Jun 2019

LEOPARD PRINT HAIR. I AM DELIGHTED.

Camila Saez (Chile) and Kanjana Sungngoen (Thailand)

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/BPI/Shutterstock (10317873i) Camila Saez of Chile beats Kanjana Sungngoen of Thailand in the air Thailand v Chile, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Roazhon Park, Rennes, France - 20 Jun 2019

"... Wait are we NOT chest-bumping? COULD YOU HAVE WARNED ME."

Karen Araya (Chile) and Miranda Nild (Thailand)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by EDDY LEMAISTRE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10317879b) Karen Araya of (R) Chile against Miranda Nild of Thailand during the preliminary round match between Thailand and Chile at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in Rennes, France, 20 June 2019. FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Rennes, France - 20 Jun 2019

I know soccer players are unfazed, but I am a delicate flower, so I look at this and think how skinned Miranda's knee must have been.

Lee Alexander (Scotland) and Florencia Bonsegundo (Argentina)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP/Shutterstock (10315538ap) Scotland goalkeeper Lee Alexander fails to block a shoot from Argentina's Florencia Bonsegundo to score Argentina's second goal during the Women's World Cup Group D soccer match between Scotland and Argentina at Parc des Princes in Paris, France Scotland Argentina WWCup Soccer, Paris, France - 19 Jun 2019

This caption read that the goalie "failed to stop" the shot. Wait, why is it her failure? Maybe it was a great shot! You could not pay me to be a goalie. Unless of course you paid me MILLIONS OF DOLLARS and then pulled me almost immediately and didn't ask for any of that cash back. In that scenario you could absolutely pay me to be a goalie.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Vanessa Carvalho/Shutterstock (10315776az) Lorena Benitez of Argentina Scotland v Argentina, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Parc des Princes, Paris, France - 19 Jun 2019

I was going to say, "Wow, nobody is happy about this outcome," and then I looked it up, and indeed they tied.

Sydney Schneider, Jamaica

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Greig Cowie/BPI/Shutterstock (10314701a) Goalkeeper Sydney Schneider of Jamaica warms up Jamaica v Australia, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble, France - 18 Jun 2019

The life of a goalie is a lonely one, until of course 20 other players are all up in your business. What I love about this photo, though, is that it could almost be from after a potent shot in a grass-court tennis match.

Cameroon vs. New Zealand

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/BPI/Shutterstock (10317760z) Sarah Gregorius of New Zealand and Ninon Abena of Cameroon after finishing the match Cameroon v New Zealand, FIFA Women's World Cup 2019, Football, Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier, France - 20 Jun 2019

Aw. Soccer's consolation photos -- the way opponents will comfort each other -- always really get me. Chin up, Cameroon. Your unis are cheery, at least? It's the thinnest of silver linings, but it's there.