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Peter Oh is watching: “I don’t speak Spanish, but am surprised that the nickname is El Motorcito, not La Motorcita. Speaking of names, Stabile shares a legendary one with the leading scorer of the 1930 men’s World Cup.”
Speaking of similar names – I learned yesterday that Casey Phair, the youngster on South Korea’s team, is the niece of a friend of mine who lives about a mile away from me. It occurred to me that they had the same last name, but I somehow didn’t think they’d be related. Small world. But, as Steven Wright said, I wouldn’t want to paint it.
Our referee is …
… someone who didn’t have to travel far. Anna-Marie Keighley is from New Zealand. This is her third World Cup. Assistant referee Sarah Jones is also on home soil, while the other AR is Samoa’s Maria Salamasina.
I don’t make a habit of talking about other games while I’m doing one of these, but we haven’t kicked off yet, so I’m going to be contrarian once again and suggest this – Vlatko Andonovski made the right decision by not bringing in a sub late in the US women’s draw with the Netherlands. They were dominating play. No one seemed tired. Why disrupt it?
South Africa lineup
Goalkeeper: Kaylin Smart (JVW)
Defense: Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Bongeka Gamede (University of the Western Cape) are in the center. Like Mbane, the fullbacks are from former African champion Mamelodi Sundowns: 21-year-old Karabo Dhlamini, who did not play against Sweden, is on the left; Lebogang Ramalepe is on the right.
Midfield: The two players listed as “2” in a 4-2-3-1 are two players based outside South Africa – captain Refiloe Jane (Sassuolo) and Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City). The wingers are based in Mexico – Jermaine Seoposenwe (FC Juarez) set a Liga MX record for fastest goal (nine seconds) last year, while Noxolo Cesane (Tigres) is on the left. The star player here is attacking mid Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto), who staked South Africa to the lead against Sweden.
Forward: Thembi Kgbatlana’s resume doesn’t end with her current club (Racing Louisville). She formerly played with Atletico Madrid and has 22 goals for her country.
Argentina lineup
Goalkeeper Vanina Correa (Rosario Central) spent six years out of the sport after giving birth, then came back for her third World Cup in 2019. She’ll turn 40 next month, and she showed against Italy that she’s still a stubborn impediment for any team.
Defense: Aldana Cometti (Madrid CFF) also impressed against Italy. Her fellow center back, Miriam Mayorga (Boca Juniors), is also a doctor. Left back Eliana Stabile (Santos) is a strong set-piece taker. Sophia Braun (Club Leon), who hails from the Pacific Northwest, is on the right.
Midfield: Lorena Benitez (Palmeiras) is the defensive anchor here. On the right is 20-year-old Paulina Gramaglia (Red Bull Bragantino), who’s on loan to Brazil from the Chicago Red Stars. Florencia Bonsegundo (Madrid CFF) is in the middle along with Daiana Falfan (Deportivo UAI Urquiza). Old-school NWSL fans will remember Estefania Banini (Atletico Madrid), a dangerous dribbler who’ll operate on the left.
Forward: Mariana Larroquette (Orlando Pride) is the starter.
Subs: One of the better nicknames at the World Cup, “El Motorcito” (the “little engine”), is bestowed upon Romina Núñez (Deportivo UAI Urquiza), the only midfielder to earn a rating of 7 against Italy in The Guardian’s analysis. She’s on the bench along with 21-year-old Dalila Ippolito (Parma).
Preamble
Will we see a team win a World Cup game for the first time?
Barring a draw, yes. Neither of these teams has found that breakthrough yet. And both teams gave up late goals to lose their openers in this Cup, which means someone needs a win to have a reasonable chance of advancing.
Even if you follow the global game closely, the names in these lineups will likely be unfamiliar. But their first games – and indeed, this Cup as a whole – have shown us that we really can’t rule teams out by how they look on paper.
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Anita Asante’s look at what’s becoming a World Cup of the unexpected.
English (US)