Argentina wants to get their first win on the world stage in the 2023 Women’s World Cup after witnessing a productive Copa America campaign. The side may not bring the honour home like the men’s team did last year but certainly can win hearts with their performance. Germán Portonova will be wishing his girls to make the nation proud again in any way possible.
History
Argentina has been at the FIFA Women’s World Cup three instances before with their first participation coming in 2003. Not once did the side from South America manage to escape the group stages and also failed to register a single win in the contest. The only points they achieved came in the last edition in 2019. A goalless draw against Japan and a crazy 3-3 game with Scotland where La Albiceleste pulled one of the remarkable comebacks from three goals down. That was one of the best games played in Women’s World Cup history. The other game was a 1-0 loss to England. Argentina have been one of the weakest as well with a massive 37 conceded in just nine tournament matches.
Qualification for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
The 2022 Copa America Femenina also acted as qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with direct slots going to teams coming first, second and third. Argentina became runners-up to rivals Brazil in the group stages, losing just one, to advance to the semifinals. They were beaten by Colombia by 1-0 in that round and they were made to play a third-place battle with the other beaten side Paraguay. Portonova’s side had to turn around the game late in the match after trailing for almost 80 minutes to win 3-1.
Preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
After playing three friendlies against teams from other confederations last year, La Albiceleste resorted to facing fellow nations Chile, twice against Venezuela and Peru with a doubleheader against co-hosts New Zealand. They stayed unbeaten in all of those games in normal time picking up five wins. In fact, Argentina are yet to lose this year and conceded just once with scoring 15 goals in that period.
Argentina Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Abigaíl Cháves (Huracán), Vanina Correa (Rosario Central), Laura Esponda (River Plate)
Defenders: Sophia Braun (León), Gabriela Chávez (Estudiantes), Aldana Cometti (Madrid CFF), Julieta Cruz (Boca Juniors), Adriana Sachs (Santos), Chiara Singarella (University of Alabama), Érica Lonigro (Rosario Central)
Midfielders: Lorena Benítez (Palmeiras), Daiana Falfán (UAI Urquiza), Camila Gómez Ares (Universidad de Concepción), Dalila Ippólito (Parma), Miriam Mayorga (Boca Juniors), Vanesa Santana (Sporting de Huelva)
Forwards: Estefania Banini (Atlético Madrid), Florencia Bonsegundo (Madrid CFF), Mariana Larroquette (Orlando Pride), Romina Núñez (UAI Urquiza), Yamila Rodriguez (Palmeiras), Eliana Stábile (Santos), Paulina Gramaglia (Boca Juniors)
Head Coach: Germán Portonova
Strength
Argentina have good momentum before they kick off their journey in the tournament, with their group-stage games planned in New Zealand. This will be crucial in the finals as it sets a winning mentality in the squad. The attack for the team could aid in that with Yamila Rodriguez hoping to bring her scoring form to the world cup. The Palmeiras forward finished as the top scorer in the Copa America Femenina with six goals. She will not be the only goal source as winger Estefanía Banini and creative midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo will turn up in the important moment with their strikes.
Weakness
The team has been leaking a lot of goals in all of the editions of the tournament. Even if their record is good recently, the clean sheets have come against threatening oppositions or nations from the same region. As shown in the 2022 friendlies in the 2-0 loss to Canada and 7-0 thumping against Spain, vulnerabilities will be exposed when they face higher-ranked nations on the world stage. They have humiliation memories in the tournament history and will not want a repeat of it.
Key Player: Florencia Bonsegundo
Florencia enjoyed a productive season for her club Madrid CFF contributing to 14 goals in 29 league matches. Not only that, the 30-year-old was on the scoresheet in the preparatory friendlies for her nation and in the Copa America too. However, her real job will be to bring out the artistry to assist her teammate find the net. Bonsegundo is also an asset for the team due to her versatility. Normally an attacking midfielder, she can swap her position to wing and on the forward line as well if required. The player already has a taste of this stage having scored a last-minute match-saving penalty to settle the 3-3 game against Scotland in 2019.
How will Argentina Lineup at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?
Argentina FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Groups & Fixtures
Group C
Argentina
Italy
South Africa
Sweden
Fixtures
Monday, 24 July 2023
Italy vs Argentina - Eden Park, Auckland (11:30)
Friday, 28 July 2023
Argentina vs South Africa - Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (17:30)
Wednesday, 2 August 2023
Argentina vs Sweden - Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (12:30)
Note: All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)
Prediction
Winning their first game at the Women’s World Cup will be Argentina’s target in New Zealand. In that case, the clash against AFCON winners South Africa looks to be the one they will put forward their plans. That game will not be easy either. La Albiceleste wants to be defensively resolute this time to avoid any embarrassment even if they exit from the group stages.
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