Sunday’s games at Women’s World Cup
Brazil’s Monica controls the ball during a Group E victory over Costa Rica in Moncton, Canada, on Wednesday.
BRAZIL VS. AUSTRALIA
Where: Moncton. Time: 10 a.m. PDT. TV: FS1, Telemundo.
The buzz: Brazil is the only team in the tournament that is unbeaten, untied and unscored upon. But the Brazilians have only four goals themselves despite boasting the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer in Marta (15 goals) and playing in a weak group. Australia has been far more tested here, finishing second in the so-called Group of Death and giving up just one score after an opening loss to the U.S.
FRANCE VS. SOUTH KOREA
Where: Montreal. Time: 1 p.m. PDT. TV: FS1, NBC Universo.
The buzz: Playing in French-speaking Montreal, this will be something of a home game for France. And though the South Koreans snuck into the elimination stage by the width of a crossbar with a final-game win over Spain, don’t expect the French to take them lightly since they’re still smarting from a 2-0 loss to unheralded Colombia.
CANADA VS. SWITZERLAND
Where: Vancouver. Time: 4:30 p.m. PDT. TV: FS1, NBC Universo.
The buzz: Canada’s hopes could hinge on the sore hip of Sophie Schmidt, who was walking on crutches last week after taking a tumble late in her team’s final group game against the Netherlands. With Canada struggling for offense — its two goals, only one from the run of play, are the fewest of any group winner — it can ill afford to lose its midfield motor. Switzerland’s only win here was a 10-1 pasting of woeful Ecuador.
—Kevin Baxter
