Despite much of the attention of the tournament surrounding VAR, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France was a large success and saw record viewing audiences around the world. The Americans ultimately came out victorious for the fourth time in their history but they weren’t the only nation to shine at this summer’s tournament. Here is the FIFA Women’s World Cup Team of the Tournament from The Mastermind Site.
Goalkeeper: Hedvig Lindahl
Embed from Getty Images7 matches 17 saves 2 clean sheets 6 goals conceded
Sari van Veenendaal’s exploits in the final were impressive, but Hedvig Lindahl was more instrumental in helping Sweden make it to the final rounds of the tournament. The former Chelsea keeper played every minute at the tournament, making 17 saves, and keeping 2 clean sheets. Sweden’s defense were one of the best at the tournament and Lindahl certainly played her part in her nation’s record of only conceding 6 goals in 7 matches. She also crucially saved a penalty against Canada in the Round of 16 and then stopped England from getting back into the match in the bronze medal game with 2 fantastic saves.
Right Back: Lucy Bronze
Embed from Getty Images7 matches 1 goal 2 assists 18 interceptions 88% tackle success
In a tournament full of goals, England had the most stern defence of anyone and up until their semi final loss to the States, only had one goal scored against them. Lucy Bronze’s role in Neville’s defence was vital and it became nearly impossible for any of her opponents to get passed her. The Silver Ball winner also played a massive role in attack and her right-sided partnership with Nikita Parris was undoubtedly England’s prime attacking weapon at the tournament. The British fullback scored 1 goal with 2 assists at the tournament and could have easily had more of each, with her 9 chances created and through having played every single minute at the tournament. Although England came up short in the end, the 2019 FIFA World Cup cemented Lucy Bronze’s place as the best right-back in the world.
Centre Back: Steph Houghton
Embed from Getty Images7 matches 1 goal 83% pass success 4 clean sheets
Like Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton struggled to cope with the pace and power of the Americans. But that meant very little in the grand scheme of the tournament, given how well she captained England. The English back-line only conceded 1 goal between the first match and the quarter final and Houghton was instrumental to not only their dominance in defence but dominance in possession of the ball as well. The Man City captain was stellar in England’s Group Stage matches, fantastic against Japan and then had a phenomenal performance against Norway in their 3-0 quarter final win. Like Bronze she also played every single minute of the tournament and scored 1 goal as well. The 2019 tournament might not have gone the way Steph Houghton wanted it to, but she was still one of the very best defenders at the tournament.
Centre Back: Dominique Bloodworth
Embed from Getty Images7 matches 1 goal 10 tackles 14 clearances 10 interceptions
Dominique Bloodworth made a stunning move from Arsenal to Wolfsburg just before the 2019 tournament began, and the German giants will be very happy with their purchase following this tournament. 24-year old Dominique Bloodworth played with the class of someone ten years older and was arguably the key figure for the Dutch all tournament long. The Dutch defender was instrumental in her nation’s ability to retain possession, completing 81% of her passes, but also was often the last resort for her country in defense. She completed 10 interceptions, 10 tackles and made 14 clearances in her 7 matches, while also never missing a minute of action.
Left Back: Amel Majri
Embed from Getty Images7 matches 3 assists 21 chances created 7 interceptions
Although they went out in the quarter finals, the host nation were one of the most impressive at the 2019 tournament. Even despite their relatively early elimination, many players in the French lineup could have made this Team of the Tournament. Wendie Renard and Amandine Henry were both excellent, but were ultimately outshone by players who made it farther in the tournament. However, no left-back was better than Amel Majri in France and like Lucy Bronze, Majri might have just cemented her place as the best in the world at her position. In her 5 matches, Majri assisted 3 goals, completed 80% of her passes and made 7 interceptions. Her 3 assists don’t even come close to representing just how much of an influence she had over this French side, but perhaps her tournament leading 21 chances created out a little bit more.
Centre Midfield: Rose Lavelle
Embed from Getty Images6 matches 3 goals 8 chances created 8 interceptions
The Bronze Ball winner, Rose Lavelle, had an exceptional tournament for the United States and became a player that Jill Ellis just could not leave out at any cost. Even despite her hamstring injury in the semi-final, Lavelle went on to play the final and put in a player of the game performance to secure herself a goal and the United States a 2-0 victory. This, on top of her first match of the tournament in which she helped her nation to a 13-0 win with 2 goals, were her best performances of the summer. But on top of that, Lavelle also had a massive role in the victories against Spain, Sweden and England, undeniably dominating over two very impressive midfield units. Her role in attack and defence for the U.S. was vital and it’s no surprise that she was awarded with the Bronze Ball when it all came to a close.
Centre Midfield: Kosovare Asllani
Embed from Getty Images7 matches 3 goals 2 assists 17 chances created
Kosovare Asllani was arguably Sweden’s best player at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as they claimed a bronze medal. The Linkopings FC superstar was exceptional in central midfield for Sweden and featured in all seven of their matches. With her head injury against the Netherlands, Asllani wasn’t even a guaranteed starter for the bronze medal match, but came back to score her third goal of the tournament and secure a medal for Sweden. In addition to her 3 goals, the Swedish midfielder created 17 chances for her teammates, ultimately resulting in 2 assists. A special shout-out has to go to Amandine Henry, who was fantastic all tournament long for France, but Asllani’s role in helping Sweden to bronze was absolutely instrumental and she fully deserves her place on any list of the best players of the 2019 FIFA World Cup.
Centre Midfield: Samantha Mewis
Embed from Getty Images6 matches 2 goals 4 assists 11 chances created 12 tackles
Many will remember Rose Lavelle as the breakout star of this tournament, but Samantha Mewis was arguably even better for the United States in France. Mewis hardly put a foot wrong all tournament and with 2 goals and 4 assists, she was so much more than just the hard-tackling central midfielder that she is known to be. It’s possible that no one else had a more complete tournament than Sam Mewis. The North Carolina Courage superstar completed 12 tackles (86% of those that she attempted), made 8 interceptions, completed 7 take-on’s, had 7 shots, created 11 chances and didn’t even pick up a single booking. That, on top of her 2 goals and 4 assists, makes for one impressive tournament for Samantha Mewis as she helped to lead the U.S. to glory.
Right Wing: Alex Morgan
Embed from Getty Images6 matches 6 goals 3 assists 12 shots 5 interceptions
Alex Morgan was one of the faces of this American World Cup victory. Sure, 4 of her 6 goals at the tournament came against Thailand in their 13-0 win, but she was still one of the very best players at this tournament. Morgan caused havoc for Steph Houghton and Millie Bright in a way that no other player managed in France and her performance against the Brits is arguably what led the United States to victory at the tournament. With 6 goals and 3 assists, the stats speak for themselves. But perhaps a lesser known stat is that Alex Morgan was the most fouled player at the tournament. With 12 shots on goal, she could have had even more than her Silver Boot winning total of 6, and she completed 100% of her tackles attempted, an impressive feat for any player, let alone a centre forward. Alex Morgan was not only one of the best forwards at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup but is clearly, one of the best in the world in general.
Centre Forward: Ellen White
Embed from Getty Images6 matches 6 goals 11 shots
Ellen White had a fantastic 2019 FIFA World Cup and had her goal against Sweden counted, she would have walked away with the Golden Boot. The former Birmingham City striker had a massive influence for England at the tournament and became un-droppable for Phil Neville with her 6 goals (and let’s be honest – 7 goals) in 6 matches. White just could not be stopped and her movement and prowess in front of goal culminated in 11 shots on target and all different types of goals. She poured her heart and soul into the tournament and gave it absolutely everything she had. Ultimately, it was only enough to secure England a fourth place finish, but her performances this summer in France will not soon be forgotten.
Left Wing: Megan Rapinoe
Embed from Getty Images5 matches 6 goals 2 assists 20 chances created
Golden Ball winner Megan Rapinoe was undoubtedly the star of this tournament and was so key in inspiring her nation to World Cup glory for the second time in a row. Her influence in attack for the States was deemed so important by Jill Ellis that she wasn’t even risked in the semi-final against England. With 6 goals in just 5 matches and 425 minutes played, Rapinoe won herself the Golden Boot. Her goal tally is even more impressive considering that she only even had 6 shots on target. When she was on target, she scored every single time. Her 2 assists don’t even express how much of a major creator for the States, but perhaps her 20 chances created do. On top of her phenomenal performance in the final and her dauntless approach to the opener against Thailand, Rapinoe practically single-handedly won her team their matches against both France and Spain, scoring all four of her nation’s goals during that time. Player of the tournament indeed – Megan Rapinoe was incredible at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the United States might not have done it without her.
FORMATION: 4-3-3
Embed from Getty ImagesEach one of the final four teams at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup played in a 4-3-3 formation and it was by far the most popular system of play at the tournament. The 4-3-3 proved to be the most successful way to play in France and was not only the favourite formation of the winners, but also silver medalists Netherlands, bronze medalists Sweden and fourth place finishers England.
Substitutes: Sari Van Veenendaal, Hanna Glas, Wendie Renard, Sherida Spitse, Amandine Henry, Caroline Graham Hansen, Vivianne Miedema
So there it is! The Team of the Tournament at this summer’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Who do you think should have made the cut? Comment below or share your thoughts on Twitter @mastermindsite. Thanks for reading and see you soon!
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