Melbourne (Australia), 06/08/2023.- Sweden celebrate their win over the USA during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Round of 16 soccer match between Sweden and the USA at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, 06 August 2023.© JOEL CARRETT (EFE)

After roughly three weeks of intense World Cup action packed with action, drama and plenty of shocks, we reach the final stages of the competition in Australia and New Zealand with eight teams still in contention: Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, England, Australia, Colombia and France have made it through to the last eight.

The undoubted talking point from the Round of 16 was the elimination of hotly tipped USWNT as dreams of a treble win were dashed on a penalty shoot out to Sweden with their elimination throwing wide open the battle to win the tournament.

Euro 2022 champions England are now the bookies favourites to be crowned world champions with the Lionesses followed by Spain and joint hosts Australia as overall favourites for the title. Sarina Wiegman’s side did need a penalty shootout to advance past Nigeria after the game ended 0-0 after extra time and any of the eight remaining teams will genuinely believe that they can aspire for the title in a very open competition with a level playing field.

 

England's England's goalkeeper #01 Mary Earps and England's forward #09 Rachel Daly celebrate their victory© PATRICK HAMILTON (AFP)