The Round Up: Women's World Cup

The Women's World Cup got under way on Saturday 6th June when the host nation Canada took on China in Edmonton. This year, the competition will feature 24 teams for the first time, for many this being their first major tournament as a women's side including Ivory Coast, Thailand and surprisingly Spain also. 

After a 90 minute battle between the host side and China, including China's Gu Yasha curling a free-kick against both posts and Josee Belanger hitting a drive for Canada which rattled back off the bar. It took an injury time penalty in which Canada's golden girl Christine Sinclair, who's scored 154 goals in 224 international games, to cause riot in the home crowd of a record breaking 53,000 with a coolly taken shot which sends Canada to the top of their group. 

Other scores include New Zealands defeat against the Netherlands on the opening day's other match with a curling strike by Lieke Martens from outside the area in the 33rd minute. Group B's results include a 4-0 victory for Norway against Thailand, leading with 3 goals before the half time whistle. Favorites Germany dominated against Ivory Coast with a 10-0 win with Celia Sasic scoring a hat-trick within the first 45 minutes, Germany only fell short by one goal of matching the record they set with an 11-0 win over Argentina in 2007. However, Ivory Coast's goalkeeper Dominique Thiamale showed some true talent and the side have her to thank for preventing a complete annihilation.

England will be starting their World Cup campaign on Tuesday against another favorite France who knocked out England at the quarter-final stage four years ago. The lionesses have never won a knockout fixture but new head coach Mark Sampson, taking charge for his first major tournament, has a great chance to change that record. Hopes are high for the side ranked sixth in the world to dominate after a 100% qualifying record and supporters hope for a long World Cup campaign for England ahead.