The hardest part of any World Cup is picking a team of the tournament. So many players excelling across the board this time made it even harder. However, decisions have to be made so here are some of the standout players from across the competition playing in a 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Zecira Musovic (Sweden)
Amid all the outstanding goalkeepers at this World Cup – Mary Earps, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Daphne van Domselaar to name just a few – Musovic’s consistency and stellar saves put her just ahead. In particular, her display against the USA was one of the best seen for some time. Her cool demeanour and quick reactions caught the eye, and she heads home with a deserved bronze medal.
Defender: Jess Carter (England)
One of England’s breakout players after having featured sparingly at the Euros last summer. The 25-year-old Chelsea defender looked at home at this level, playing predominantly to the right of a back three. Her pace is noteworthy, and she was often the Lionesses’ last line of defence in front of Earps, producing a series of solid recovery tackles. Her ability on the ball is evident too and the assist for Lauren James’s second against China was memorable.
Defender: Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden)
Consistent, composed and omnipresent at the heart of the Swedish defence. Her aerial ability contributed to one of the meanest defences in the tournament and her central defensive partnership with Magdalena Eriksson was key. She was a threat at the other end adding to Sweden’s effectiveness at set pieces. Her four goals in the tournament even put her in the running for Golden Boot, just to be pipped by Hinata Miyazawa.
Defender: Alex Greenwood (England)
This was Greenwood’s third World Cupand her best yet. She has developed into one of the finest central defenders in the WSL and transferred this form to the global stage. Understated off the pitch but noteworthy on it, she showed off her defensive capabilities with calm authority. Her ability puts her a step above in the left centre-back role and her passing range helped start England’s attacks.
Defender: Olga Carmona (Spain)
Quick thinking and eager to progress an attack, it was Carmona’s 29th minute strike in the final against England which sealed victory for Spain. Her tournament was not always plain sailing after being left out against Switzerland and the Netherlands, but her winning goals in the semi-final and final were a statement. Her energetic runs down the left flank constantly stretched the play and created chances for her team.
Midfielder: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
Bonmatí is the metronome, the playmaker, the heartbeat of the now world champions. Her return to the squad before the tournament was crucial and she proved it with eye-catching displays throughout. Three goals and two assists speak to her productivity, and she rightly walked away with the Golden Ball and a winners’ medal. The Ballon d’Or is surely pending.
Midfield: Jill Roord (Netherlands)
The Netherlands’ progression to the quarter-finals owed much to the performances of Roord in the middle. She excelled alongside Daniëlle van de Donk, providing energy and support to the Dutch attack while also carrying out her defensive duties. She scored four goals, stepping up in the absence of Vivianne Miedema.
Midfielder: Katrina Gorry (Australia)
The 1.55m Gorry cuts a diminutive figure in the Australian midfield, but her presence grew rapidly. “Mini” as she is affectionately called excelled for the hosts with her sharp tackling ability and aggression in the press. The 31-year-old was a calm head to support the young emerging star, Kyra Cooney-Cross, alongside her in the middle. As a sidenote, her young daughter Harper often stole the show on the pitch post-match.
Right winger: Lauren Hemp (England)
The 2023 World Cup version of Lauren Hemp was the one that delivered on all the potential she’s shown since breaking into the England team in 2019. Not the most confident coming into the tournament, the 23-year-old flourished in Sarina Wiegman’s new formation. Being in a front two added dynamism to her play and allowed her to be more direct. She often had the beating of her defender and scored three goals during the tournament.
Centre-forward: Hinata Miyazawa (Japan)
Another emerging star, the 23-year-old Miyazawa’s stellar performances were hard to miss. Her five goals equalled the efforts of Homare Sawa at the 2011 World Cup and saw her walk away from this tournament with the Golden Boot. Usually a midfielder, Futoshi Ikeda pushed her into a forward role and reaped the awards, particularly on the counter. She is a player to watch out for in the future.
Left-winger: Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
The Spanish wonderkid changed the game for her nation, adding a directness to an at times ineffective attacking line. Her dazzling pace pulled Spain forward and her eye for goal is second to none. A winner against the Netherlands and strike against Sweden demonstrated that. This is the 19-year-old’s first full-time year in football having also competed in athletics before signing for Barcelona. She is only going to get better.
Substitutes: Mary Earps (England), Naomi Girma (USA), Ona Batlle (Spain), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Australia), Teresa Abelleira (Spain), Catalina Usme (Colombia), Linda Caicedo (Colombia)
Recommended viewing
It has to be Olga Carmona’s superb finish to win the World Cup for Spain.
Mariona Caldentey 🔗 Olga Carmona@Globant goes behind the play with the goal that sealed #FIFAWWC glory for @SEFutbolFem. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/m3NZLCA0TD
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 21, 2023
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