The Olympic Games have gotten off to a chaotic start as all twelve national teams have now played two group matches. Spain, Canada and the United States are a perfect two-on-two, but only the USWNT and Spain secured a spot in the knockout rounds thanks to the six-point penalty against Canada because of their spy scandal. Both teams need a final group result to determine their respective paths. This means that there are still six places to be won in the quarter-finals.
But where have squads separated in our power rankings? The margins are narrow and even more complex when you factor in the drone scandal in Canada, so how do things look in our power rankings heading into the final group stage:
|
1. |
Spain |
— |
The current 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners had a clear target on their back heading into the Olympics and their group rivals have brought their A matches. La Roja are yet to score any major victories, but Spain have been tested by Japan and Nigeria with poor scores – and are now on a two-match win streak heading into the final matchday. |
|
2. |
United States |
+4 |
Ranked fifth in the world and starting sixth in our power rankings, the Emma Hayes era is in full force after two dominant performances in the group stages against Zambia and Germany. The attacking trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson are emerging as a three-headed monster, sending nightmares into everyone else’s Olympic dreams. |
|
3. |
Canada |
-1 |
The Tokyo gold medalists are in the middle of a cheating scandal, with several coaches sent home and suspended. Even with six points, the players respond with valiant attempts to get math and luck back on their side. With two wins against New Zealand and France they would already be through the knockouts and probably number 1 in our rankings, but they still have work to do for now. |
|
4 |
France |
-1 |
The tournament hosts almost dropped their opening match against Colombia and then followed that up with an actual defeat against Canada which they suffered in late stoppage time. Marie Antoinette Katoto was the smart sport in the nail-biting moments for France, but the side must use the momentum of a complete game if they reach the knockouts. |
|
5. |
Japan |
-1 |
Japan seems to be getting stronger as the tournament progresses and that is dangerous for other teams that will have to compete against them in the course of the matches. It seems that Aoba Fujino is constantly in dangerous situations, and the veteran Saki Kumagai reminds everyone that Japan has everything: technicality, skill and experience. |
|
6. |
Germany |
-1 |
The Germans declared in their opening 3-0 win against Australia that they would be able to do just fine without Lena Oberdorf during the tournament. Jule Brand answered the call and was a key player. However, matchday 2 adjustments by the coaching staff to push veteran Alex Popp lower brought back some doubt as the USWNT handed them a three-goal loss. They will have to bounce back against a do-or-die side from Zambia if they want to ensure they progress to the knockouts. |
|
7. |
Colombia |
+1 |
Las Cafeteras made things interesting in their Olympic opener against France, taking three points against New Zealand to claw their way to the top of the group ahead of the final matchday, where Mayra Ramirez will be back after a red card suspension . Many eyes will be on her and Linda Caicedo, but Pavi Manuela is making a name for herself in this tournament. Multiple attack threats are only a good problem for Colombia at this point. |
|
8. |
Brazil |
-1 |
A squad full of exciting technical players who managed just one goal per match haunted them on matchday 2. Despite a successful Olympic opener against Nigeria, the Brazilians could not hold on in their match against Japan, defeated by a long-range stunner with the goalkeeper line. Now they will have to battle Spain to determine their Olympic fate. |
|
9. |
Australia |
+1 |
A wild 6-5 win against Zambia has kept the door open for the knockouts, but will now face the USWNT. The Matildas have allowed eight goals in two games and with so many tiebreakers in play for third place, they will have a huge game against a surging American attack. |
|
10. |
Nigeria |
— |
The Super Falcons simply weren’t able to convert as many attacks as they should have and in doing so they have scored zero goals in two games. It’s difficult to get past Chiamaka Nnadozie in goal, but they’ll have to figure out how to be clinical and help in other phases if they want to get out of the pre-season at all. |
|
11. |
Zambia |
— |
Barbra Banda made history when she scored her third Olympic hat-trick against Australia, but the defense conceded nine goals in the tournament. Germany will not be an easy task. |
|
12. |
New Zealand |
— |
The Football Ferns are rightly feeling badly hit after being spied by Canada, and may want points awarded to them, but after that controversial opening defeat they had no answers against Colombia in their 2-0 defeat. Now they will have to find some against Olympic hosts France. |
Do you want more attention for women’s football? Listen below and be sure to watch Attacking Third on Golazo Network Mondays and Fridays for all your USWNT, NWSL and WSL women’s soccer coverage.
