IFFHS DAILY REPORT WOMEN'S WORLD FESTIVAL 2022 - JULY 7
Picture : Sherly Jeudy (9) and Ruthny Mathurin (21) - Haïti on the Top !
USA AND HAITI SOVEREIGN
USA made a sovereign game against Jamaica to win with 5-0 ! Sophia Smith picked up a brace inside the opening 10 minutes, including an absolutely spectacular opener, while Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, and Trinity Rodman all found the back of the net in the second half to finish it off.The victory leaves the United States with a perfect five out of five against Jamaica all-time, without having conceded a single goal in any of those games. It also means the United States was on the brink of clinching a 2023 Women's World Cup place, and Haiti's win over Mexico later in the evening made it official. The United States has qualified for the World Cup and clinched a spot in the knockout stage. A dominant performance lead to a comprehensive and convincing victory. It was the perfect response after the questions raised from the performance against Haiti.
Sophia Smith (11) scored twice for USA.
Deep trouble is exactly where Mexico found itself 13 minutes into Thursday night’s game, after a penalty kick taken by Roselord Boreglla, Haiti’s Goal Scorer (leader of the IFFHS World’s Best International Goal Scorer Ranking 2022), gave her team a 1-0 lead. Mexico’s confidence, already shaken by its opening-match defeat against Jamaica, was unable to break through Haiti’s defensive block. And as it headed to the locker room, Mexico were counting its blessings that a second Borgella goal had been ruled offside !
Mexico then proceeded to start off the second half with more energy, but Haiti started to feed balls through the Mexico defense to speedy forward Sherly Jeudy. A dangerous foul by Mexican goalkeeper Emily Alvarado in the 67th minute led to another penalty kick that gave Haiti its second goal.
Somehow, the worst for Mexico was still to come. Moments after Bernal exited the game, fellow defender Greta Espinoza was handed a red card, and seconds after, Haiti responded with its third goal of the night by Sherly Jeudy with a wonderful free kock, ensuring a resounding defeat of the host country in this tournament.
Haiti can clinch its first entry to the Women’s World Cup with a tie or victory against Jamaica on Monday, while Mexico would need to beat the U.S. on Monday by multiple goals to have a chance to take part in a play-in game for a World Cup spot. But if Mexico loses to the favored U.S. team, it will not have any more chances — it will not take part in the 2023 World Cup.