The NWSL season may have just wrapped up, but the world of women’s soccer is still providing a lot of action. Below is a roundup of the first half of the action that happened around the world during this international window. We’ll be looking at action from November

There are three matches that stand out to me as the standouts for the November stretch of the international break: (1) the UEFA Nations League Final, (2) Ecuador vs Venezuela in World Cup Qualifying and (3) Paraguay vs Uruguay in World Cup Qualifying.

With Germany hosting Spain in the first leg, it’ll be interesting to see if they can get themselves ahead for the second leg. For the other two, they feature matchups between a number of teams will be vying for the qualifying spots from CONMEBOL. Those matchups will help sort the wheat from the chaff.

Germany vs Spain
Full Match / Match Highlights

Germany and Spain teams came into the match on the back of solid semifinal wins, against France and Sweden, respectively. Germany have been in a bit of a rebuild as they usher in a new crop of talent, and reaching the Nations League final may be a sign that the Germans are back. Spain are expected to be here as one of the most dominant teams in the last 5 years or so.

Germany started out strong, letting Spain have their possession but keeping a good shape and aggressively pressing when they could isolate players. Germany created some dangerous counters early, especially down the left flank.

In particular, Germany were making it very difficult for Spain to pass through their lines. They were forcing Spain to play the ball horizontally to try and open space or over the top to get vertical progression, but Spain would just play into defenders with numerical advantage. When Germany countered, they pushed with numbers. The Spanish defenders were regularly in retreat tracking willing German runners.

27’ Germany created two dangerous counters that produced saves from Spain. The first involving Franziska Kett, who drew a good kick save from Cata Coll, and the second with Jule Brand beating Coll but not Irene Paredes, who had retreated to help protect the goal.

The first half was something strange to see in recent years. Spain really looked out of sorts. They were incapable of creating good attacking play, and their defense was constantly under pressure, having to scramble to find and track German runners. Its a testament to Christian Wucks for setting his team up to handle Spain’s possession and to his players for executing with perfection. It was reminiscent of the height of Klopp’s heavy metal football, and it really unsettled the Spaniards. The only thing missing was the goal.

47’ Spain opened up the second half getting bodies forward in possession, and they were finally able to work the ball around in Germany’s defensive third of the field. Ona Battle got free on the right and put a cross in for Alexia Putellas, but she scuffed her volley, and Gwinn was able to clear.

49’ In particular, Spain began an aggressive press/counter-press from much higher up the field. It prevented Germany from clearing long behind the Spanish defense and created turnovers and countering opportunities for Spain. In the 49’, Putellas was played the ball just outside the box. She turned, made her way into the box and fired a shot, but it went just wide of the far post.

As with the first half, a lot of credit to Sonia Bermudez and her charges for adapting to Germany’s play and turning the tables on Germany. Though, perhaps because Spain was running on slightly older legs, they eased off the aggressive pressing after the first 10 minutes, and Germany were able to get some possession and attack.

61’ Around the quarter-hour mark of the second half, Germany won a series of corners. The second of which found Rebecca Knaak, who headed back across to Nusken, but Sjoeke Nusken put her header over the crossbar.

70’ Germany continued to reestablish their press and counter game, and it nearly paid off in the 70’ when Klara Buhl got released down Germany’s left wing. She cut inside and unleashed a shot that clanged off the upright and away. Inches the other way, and it would have been 1-0.

75’ Minutes later, Germany nearly took the lead again. This time Jule Brand mishit her cross, and it had Cata Coll beat but hit off the top of the crossbar and out.

90’+3 Spain would once again get some control of the ball. They didn’t really threaten Germany’s goal, but they were able to calm the proceedings and see out the match. Germany would create one more dangerous moment in second half stoppage time when a turnover and a well-timed run put Nusken through on goal, but Cata Coll came out quickly and cleared before Nusken could attempt a shot.

The first leg would end in a draw, but Germany can take a lot of heart from the way they played. They caused all kinds of trouble for Spain and really didn’t give up much offense to the World Cup champions. It will be interesting to see if Germany can bring the same intensity a few days later and if Spain can roll out some tactical adjustments that nullify Germany for longer stretches of time.

Final Score: Germany 0-0 Spain

As a quick reminder, many of the World Cup qualifying matches are also matches for other tournaments. You can find a primer on how the qualification works in the different confederations in my earlier post.

Also, if you’ve been watching these smaller nations play for the past 10 years or so, it is really impressive how much they’ve improved. Investment in the women’s game has allowed these smaller nations to invest in local player development, more international recruiting, and higher quality coaching. That investment has clearly paid off and hopefully grows.

US Virgin Islands 3-1 Saint Lucia (Group A)
Full Match / Match Highlights

USVI got out on the front foot from the start, and they took an early lead from a freekick. Captain Naya Vialva’s shot from distance beat the keeper high but dipped just under the bar. Saint Lucia weren’t overrun, and they had their chances, including a great one-v-one with the keeper that Jenna Rehm saved well to keep USVI in the lead. USVI doubled their lead in the 33’ through a Lita Frost header from a corner. Saint Lucia would get one back just before the half on some good work at the top of the box to open up a shot for Krysan St. Louis. It looked the shot bounced off the crossbar and out, but the AR signaled that the ball crossed the line and the ref awarded the goal.

USVI scored a third early in the second half to quickly restore their two goal lead. Good play left to right got USVI is a good crossing situation. The Saint Lucian keeper is able to touch the cross, but it falls to Reagan Hood who easily finishes. Saint Lucia spent the bulk of the second half on the attack seeking their comeback, but they couldn’t get the ball in the net. A brief glimmer of hope came late when Saint Lucia were awarded a penalty for a handball, but Arnicka Louis’s shot was saved and held by Rehm, and USVI saw out the rest of the match for the 3-1 victory.

Highlight of the Match: USVI’s 3rd goal was probably the best of the lot for it’s quick movement from left to right to set up the cross, but it was also hugely important for USVI to get the goal early in the second half to reestablish their two-goal lead.

Antigua & Barbuda 0-4 Nicaragua (Group B)
Full Match / Match Highlights

This was match Nicaragua was expected to win, and they duly delivered. Their first goal came early via a collected rebound that Nathaly Silva snuck its way under two defensive legs before finding the net. Antigua tested the Nicaraguan keeper from a free kick, but Greta Genie punched over the bar. By the 31’, Nicaragua were up 3-0 through a lovely shot from Shayla Flores after a turnover and solid through ball over the top to send Doriana Aguilar through on goal.

Nicaragua would continue to dominate in the second half and scored one more before the final whistle.

Highlight of the Match: Nicaragua’s second goal comes off of a defensive error, but that was fairly emblematic of the match and Flores’s finish is nice.

Cayman Islands 0-4 Bermuda (Group C)
Full Match / Match Highlights

Both teams got into their attacking end multiple times in the opening five minutes, but Cayman Islands did little with their possession while Bermuda scored one and nearly had a second. Bermuda would double their lead in the 14’ when Kenni Thompson cleaned up a rebound. As the first half progressed, Bermuda were able to assert more control over the match with Kenni Thompson and Nia Christopher a constant threat up top for the visitors. Bermuda were at their most dangerous when they could play through to Thompson and Christopher with space behind the Cayman defense, and late in the half, Thompson was sent free down the left side to square to Jaden Masters who easily finished to make it 3-0.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with Bermuda dominating possession and having all of the dangerous chances. They would only find the net one more time, but the 4-0 road victory for Bermuda is an ideal start to this qualifying stage.

Highlight of the Match: Although it may have been the least consequential of the goals, Nia Christopher was arguably the player of the match, so I’ll highlight her goal, the fourth for Bermuda.

Anguilla 1-3 Surinam (Group D)
Full Match / Match Highlights

Surinam were on the attack early and they had the lead inside the first ten minutes when Estelle Pereira opened the scoring with a long range shot. Surinam would win a pretty questionable penalty in the 11’, but the shot hit off the post and was cleared by Anguilla, so ball didn’t lie. Anguilla were under pressure from Surinam the entire match. When they did get forward, it was typically through finding Carlia Johnson, their striker and leading goal scorer. Johnson did well to attack the Surinam defense or hold up play for teammates to get up field. Surinam scored their second through a nice freekick from Rachel van Netten. Surinam would continue to dominate in the second half and van Netten would get her second on a great ball over the top that van Netten controls well and puts over the closing keeper to make it 3-0. In second half stoppage time, and long ball over the top would Carlia Johnson in on goal, and she would round the Surinam keeper and score to make it 3-1. A huge goal for the relative minnows of Anguilla.

Highlight of the Match: To be honest, all of the goals were decent in this match, so I’ll share two: Van Netten’s second and Anguilla’s lone goal. The former includes a great ball that deserves recognition, and the latter is a well-earned consolation and a sign for a team that has really stepped up its play in the last few years.

Aruba 2-1 St. Kitts & Nevis (Group E)
Full Match / Match Highlights

A fairly even match for the first quarter of an hour. St. Kitts worked a great chance that found Cloey Uddenberg, but she put her shot way high. The match would stay finely balanced throughout the first half, with each team having spells of control and forcing their opposing defenses and keepers to work. St. Kitts would find the opener in 36’ from a ball over the Aruban defense for Phoenetia Browne’s well-timed run. The defense retreated well nearly took the ball, but Browne recovered and scored to give her side the lead. Late in the first half, Aruba would equalize. Tarianna Doornkamp, starting wide, made a run between the wide and central defenders. Soraya Verhoeve’s line-splitting pass duly obliged the run and Doornkamp finished for the equalizer.

St. Kitts & Nevis started the second half on the front foot, putting the Aruban defense under pressure for most of the opening 10 minutes. Aruba weathered that storm and got back on the attack. In the 61’ they won a freekick from a dangerous spot, and again, Verhoeve put a perfectly placed ball into the box that was headed home by Genesis Hazel. After taking the lead, Aruba continued to have the better of play, keeping possession and finding more chances on goal. St. Kitts did get Phoenetia Browne is a dangerous spot at the top of the box, but she put her shot inches wide of the Aruba goal. Aruba would continue to have the better of play and see out the match to complete the comeback win.

Highlight of the Match: Soraya Verhoeve splits the defenders to find Doornkamp’s run and Aruba’s first goal.

Dominica 0-18 Jamaica (Group B)
Full Match / Match Highlights

It took little time for Jamaica to take the lead. A quickly taken corner in the 2’ leads to a cross right in front of the goal and either Konya Plummer or Jody Brown got the final touch, but it was awarded to Plummer. Two minutes later, Brown would find Khadija Shaw in the box to double the Reggae Girlz’s lead. Slowing down a bit, it would take three minutes this time for Jamaica to score again. Kiki Vanzanten scoring. But Jamaica would get back up to speed, scoring their fourth goal two minutes later. Jody Brown applying the finish. You saw the scoreline, so I won’t belabor the point. Jamaica absolutely dominated this match.

Highlight of the Match: The opening goal got the machine rolling, and frankly, it was a cheeky backheel goal. The goal was awarded to Plummer but it sure looks to me like Jody Brown scored it. Either way it was a cheeky finish.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines 0-14 Mexico (Group A)
Full Match / Match Highlights

In case you’d been silly enough for forget, the first half was a reminder that Charlyn Corral is a very good goal scorer. She would score 7 of Mexico’s 14 goals. And that’s pretty much all you need to say about the match.

Highlight of the Match: There were a lot of goals to choose from, Corral’s second was my favorite for the nice finish and the excellent control and pass from Stephany Mayor.

Grenada 1-2 Costa Rica (Group C)
Full Match / Match Highlights

Costa Rica dominated the first half, but a stout Grenadian defense kept them at bay. Grenada did get their forays forward, but they struggled to create danger once in the final third, and their attacks often turned into counters for Costa Rica. Unsurprisingly, Priscila Chincilla was the primary threat with her runs down the left channel. Despite their lack of threat, Grenada would take the lead from a corner that found Naomi Bedeau at the back post and her well-placed shot beat Bermudez to the far post. Costa Rica would continue to attack, and they’d find the equalizer in first half stoppage time. As so many times before, Chinchilla was put through on the left, but this time she was able to stay ahead of the defenders and finish.

The second half was a continuation of the first, with Costa Rica dominating possession and creating chances. They would score a second in the 61’ minute when Chinchilla was found open on the penalty spot to easily finish. A very questionable penalty was awarded for Costa Rica, who seemed as baffled by the call as Grenada did. Rocky Rodriquez stepped up, but Rashida Herry made a great diving save. Costa Rica would see out the rest of the match and take home the 2-1 win.

Highlight of the Match: On another day, Costa Rica wins this by a much larger margin, but when it looked like the tides were against them, Priscila Chinchilla found an important equalizer in first half stoppage time. It made the second half far easier for las Ticas.

Curaçao 1-6 Panama (Group E)
Full Match / Match Highlights

Panama got started early with a goal in 4’ from Karla Riley. It was all too easy, really. A throw in deep in Curaçao’s end found Cedeno on the end line. Her cross ran through the box untouched and found Riley unmarked to rocket a shot for the lead. In the 17’ Cedeno would go down with a non-contact injury, and she’d be stretchered off and subbed. Looked like a knee injury. Panama would dominate the rest of the first half, but they’d have to settle for hitting the crossbar twice and no additional goals.

The flood gates would open in the second half, for Panama. Their second came in the 50’ from Katherin Parris. The third in the 66’ from Ericka Arauz. Curaçao would get their forays forward, but they weren’t able to make one pay until the 70’ when Shi-jona Martina fired a shot from just outside the box past Yenith Bailey. But Panama would quickly respond. Ericka Arauz getting her second of the night with a lovely curling shot. A fifth would come a few minutes later via cleaning up a rebound on a freekick, and Panama would wrap up the scoring on a glancing header in stoppage time.

Highlight of the Match: Ericka Arauz entered in the roughly the 60’ and had two goals and an assist in her 30 minutes on the field. Her second goal was the pick of the lot and the highlight of the match.

Belize 0-9 Haiti (Group D)
Full Match / Match Highlights

It took Haiti a little over ten minutes to find the net, but once they did, they scored in droves. They were up 3-0 by the 18’. Nerilia Mondesir would score four on the night, including a hat trick in the first half.

Highlight of the Match: Mondesir, Batcheba Louis, and Melchie Dumorney were a nightmare for the Belize defense, and all three combines in the lovely passing exchange that lead to Mondesir’s hat trick.

Tonga 0-3 American Samoa
Full Match / Match Highlights

American Samoa nearly had a dangerous chance in the first minute when a turnover in midfield sent Alayna Fuamatu-Ma’afala in behind the Tongan defense but Carollyne Fotu came out quickly to clear. American Samoa played a bit of rope-a-dope, letting Tonga have possession but pressing them when they got to the half line. Tonga struggled with the press, and it gave American Samoa a number of good opportunities on the counter. In the 19’ American Samoa put a shot just wide from just such a turnover and counter.

Tonga would grow into the match and start to get the ball into the Samoan defensive third, but they never looked like scoring. American Samoa were always creating the more dangerous chances. In the 40’ Cassidy Drago put a header toward the corner of the Tongan net but Ana Polovili cleared off the line to keep the scores even. In first half stoppage time, American Samoa would finally get their goal when some great combination play would send Mattyn Summers free down the right side, and Summers found Cassidy Drago in front of goal who finished. To all that one-sidedness of chances, Tonga very nearly equalized as Loma McNeese got 1v1 and rounded the keeper but Anaiyah Tu’ua got back to the goal line and blocked the shot.

In the second half, American Samoa came out with a similar approach, letting Tonga have possession, but they didn’t press as aggressively when Tonga got to the half line, and it allowed the Mataliki to get into the match. But American Samoa still took their chances to get forward. In the 76’, Drago would have her brace. Tonga cleared their lines, but American Samoa quickly got the ball back into attack. Drago got the ball in space, turned and dribbled to the top of the box before putting a perfectly placed shot into the bottom corner to double the American Samoa lead. With the second goal, American Samoa reestablished their dominance of the match, and they would find one more goal late to finish the scoring and move on to the next match. The loss eliminates Tonga from the 2027 World Cup.

Highlight of the Match: American Samoa’s opener was a nice bit of buildup play on their right side. The goal finally broke the deadlock and got the Samoans on their way.

Tahiti 0-1 Cook Islands
Full Match

The opening quarter of an hour saw both teams finding chances. Tahiti were probably the better of the sides, but Cook Islands looked capable of danger and produced the best shot of that stretch from a freekick that was saved by Gelimma El Hadj Kaddour in goal for Tahiti. For their part, Tahiti found their best way forward via the left wing where they could regularly use good combination play to put in crosses, but Rianna Pepe made the needed saves. As the half wore on, Tahiti established more of a dominance in the match, and they tested Pepe in a variety of ways, but they couldn’t find the net. The first half would end scoreless.

The second half started in a heavy downpour. Tahiti continued to dominate play, but it all got a little sloppy. Cook Islands almost scored an own goal when a wayward chest trap headed toward goal instead of to the keeper, but Ally Toailoa was able to retreat and clear the ball with a sliding tackle. Despite their growing dominance, Cook Islands again found a dangerous chance as Tearoa Rouru got herself isolated with one defender and dribbled to the top of the box, but her strike sailed inches wide.

In the 79’, Tahiti were made to regret their inability to beat Pepe, as Cook Islands were able to take a stray Tahitian pass at midfield and counter. Tayla Hetherington took a shot from distance that drifted over Kaddour’s head. Kaddour was able to retreat and tip the ball off the cross bar, but Tearoa Rouru was first to the rebound and put the ball home to give Cook Islands the lead. Cook Islands would hold on to their lead, and they will now face American Samoa to be the last participant in the group stage. Tahiti are eliminated.

Highlight of the Match: This match deserves two highlights. First, Rouru has tireless in her running up top for Cook Islands, and her goal was a proper reward for that effort. But I also want to show a stretch of three saves from Rianna Pepe shortly before the goal. Pepe was player of the match, and deservedly so, because she really did keep Cook Islands in the match to steal the win, and she’s the backup keeper. The Cook Islands starter picked up an injury two days before the match, so Pepe stepped had to step into goal on short notice.

Bolivia 1-1 Colombia
Match Highlights

This match featured the strongest and weakest teams in the qualifying tournament, so it was always going to be a matter of how long Bolivia could hold out, but they performed well in the opening 15 minutes. They kept a tight defensive shape that didn’t pressure until the midline. The central midfielders would quickly shift wide to help with Colombia’s strength on the wings. When Bolivia won possession, they countered quickly, especially through Ana Paula Rojas. Colombia did put the ball in the net twice, but both were from players clearly offside due to a good defensive line, so you can still credit good defensive play. In fact, Bolivia very nearly took the lead in the 24’ minute when a Rojas shot beat Tapia but clanged off the crossbar.

Colombia did start to figure out how to deal with Bolivia’s set up. They were more aggressive in their counter-press, and they started playing more long balls to switch the side of play. This allowed them to get Bolivia out of shape. But the goal didn’t come and the teams went into half level at 0-0.

In the first minute of the second half, the unthinkable happened. A half-cleared ball fell to Sonia Turihuano who blasted a shot from distance that beat Tapia and gave Bolivia the lead. Turihuano’s shot wasn’t quite a textbook thunderbastard because it dipped, but it was a nice shot. With the lead, Bolivia would get even more defensive, and their tired legs led to more fouls in and around the box. In the 75’, Colombia was finally able to make good on one of these freekicks as Restrepo found Gaby Rodriguez at the far post for the equalizer.

In the hopes of seeing out the match, Bolivia when into full-on dark arts mode. They feigned every injury they could and milked them for time, tried to draw a red card by claiming a stray elbow, and took ages to exit the pitch on substitutions. But they also continued to hustle their asses off. Late in stoppage time, the ref definitely bailed them out when Karen Rodriguez kicked Linda Caicedo in the box and took her down. The ref was right there and probably should have awarded the penalty, but sometimes the narrative has to take precedent over the laws of the game. The final whistle came a couple minutes later, and Bolivia had themselves a very impressive draw.

Highlight of the Match: How can I not go with Turihuano’s long-distance blast? Also, I just love the replay where every Bolivian player in view just absolutely elates when that goal goes in.

Paraguay 1-0 Uruguay
Match Highlights

This was a matchup of two of the bright, young attacking talents of South America with Claudia Martinez’s Paraguay taking on Belen Aquino’s Uruguay. I don’t think either team would be your favorites to reach the World Cup from South America, but they can both match up with the big teams and cause upsets on their day.

Paraguay started the match with the better of play and Fatima Acosta had a decent shot she blasted over the crossbar instead of challenging the keeper. After the first 15 minutes or so, Uruguay grew into the match and Aquino nearly stole a goal on a loose cross that Bobadilla let bounce one more time. Aquino snuck in and headed the ball before Bobadilla could collect, but the header went wide. Shortly after, Uruguay would clang the crossbar from a freekick and force a great diving save from Bobadilla. The rest of the first half more closely resembled a street fight than a soccer match, and the sides went into half 0-0.

The second half did little to dispel the notion that this was a street fight, first, and a football match, second. There were times when play would resume for a few minutes and you’d catch a stray body sprawled out on the sideline getting treatment from a couple stoppages ago. The match suffered a lack of flow from all of the fouls and injuries.

But you know who brought a gun to the knife fight? Claudia Martinez. In the 90’+6, she found the winner. And let’s be clear, the goal was as pretty as the match. Bobadilla is fouled in the Paraguay box retrieving a long ball. She quickly restarts and sends her own long ball upfield that a Uruguay defender heads back to Augustina Sanchez, but the ball is bouncing, and Sanchez has to take a moment to control the ball. Under pressure, Sanchez can only half clear. Paraguay recover and play to Claudia Martinez at the top of the box. Her shot is blocked by a defender but ricochets off another defender and lands perfectly for Martinez to hammer home. It would also prove the last touch of the game as Paraguay ran out 1-0 winners. A fitting end to an ugly match

Stat of the Match: There were 3 yellow cards handed out. The match was so stilted and chippy that it had a grand total of 272 completed passes. That’s both teams. Only 3 yellows on 24 fouls. Like, if you told me the Argentine ref allowed these two teams to beat the shit out of each other because they were Argentina’s next two opponents, I’d believe you. But Argentina’s already played them both and got decent results.

Highlight of the Match: Truthfully, the two main highlights were two saves, one from each of the respective keepers. Let me highlight Alicia Bobadilla and Augustina Sanchez. Wanna see the goal? Click the link to the highlights and skip to the very end.

Ecuador 0-0 Venezuela
Match Highlights

As with Paraguay vs Uruguay, this match was a chance for two of the second tier of teams in South America to pick up a big three points. Venezuela came out strongest to start the match, but Liceth Suarez did well to snuff out any half chances. On one occasion, Suarez was perhaps a little too aggressive coming out, and Barbara Olivieri chipped her from distance, but the shot went inches wide of the post. Ecuador grew into the match and began to create some chances of their own, but neither team could find the net.

The second half was much more one-sided as Venezuela provided the bulk of the pressure and had all of the dangerous chances. Liceth Suarez was forced to make a number of saves including a great diving save on Deyna Castellanos shot. Ecuador nearly stole the points late on a free kick that was redirected but just wide. In the end, the match concluded in a 0-0 draw.

Highlight of the Match: Liceth Suarez definitely deserves the plaudits as she made a number of good saves. I’ll highlight one from each half.

Peru 3-1 Chile
Match Highlights

Both teams started the match with their forays forward. Chile produced the first dangerous chance as a cross found Aedo wide open at the top of the six-yard box but Mia Shalit made a great kick save. On the ensuing corner, Peru countered and nearly scored themselves, but Raquel Bilcape’s shot went just high. In the 30’ [Peru #22] would pounce on a defensive error from Chile and give Peru the lead. Although a setback, Chile continued to attack, and they found the equalizer in the 41’. Lopez Opazo’s shot from distance beating Peru’s keeper, though Shalit didn’t really cover herself in glory in her attempt to save the shot.

The teams opened the second half in similar balance. Chile had, perhaps, the better play, but Peru were always sitting looking for good counter opportunities. In particular, they kept Raquel Bilcape sitting on the defensive line, forcing the Chilean defense to keep track of her. Bilcape’s efforts would quickly turn the match for Peru. In the 61’ minute, Bilcape plays a lovely ball to Campoverde to finish off a Peruvian counter. Six minutes later, Bilcape scores herself as she’s sent in behind the Chilean defense. With the two-goal deficit, Chile seemed to lose some steam, and Peru continued to cause problems on the counter. Peru event had a fourth goal from a counter, but it was correctly ruled out for offside. Chile had a decent shout for a penalty, but it wasn’t awarded. One of those plays where it can go either way and VAR will uphold the decision no matter which way it went. In the end, Peru would hold out and get a big win against Chile.

Hightlight of the Match: Raquel Bilcape’s efforts throughout the match deserve recognition, and her two goal contributions in the second half won the match for Peru. So I will highlight them here.

Finally, let me run down the friendlies (and UEFA Nations League 3rd Place fixture because I couldn’t be bothered to give it its own section). I won’t add a highlight for the match for each of these, but I’ll link to match streams/highlights for as many as I can find. The matches are roughly presented in order of kickoff, minus pulling the US, England, and France matches to the top.

USA 3-0 Italy
Full Match / Match Highlights

There is a lot of commentary out there already, so I won’t add much to it, but I have to say, if Liv Moultrie’s floor is approaching her current form, she will be a menace at the 2027 World Cup. Lavelle, Moutrie, Coffey, and Macario really looked good together.

England 8-0 China
Match Highlights

Germany were impressive against Spain. USA had a solid outing against Italy. But England showed everyone up. Maybe China’s really fallen off the pace? Like, this was a drubbing.

France 2-1 Sweden
Full Match / Match Highlights

France kinda stole this win. Sweden could have, should have scored a few early in the match. Then, France win it on the last touch of the game. I really like this generation of French players, and I want them to win something, but they really do look a step away from the top rung.

Singapore 9-0 Seychelles

Closed door match, so no info. Can’t even find a summary. Only know it was closed door because the Seychelles FA posted that on their facebook page.

Indonesia 2-1 Nepal
Full Match

Nepal are beginning to establish themselves as a capable team. A long way from the top teams in Asia, but the game is growing. Indonesia did well to comeback, and Nepal will feel they should have held their lead.

Bangladesh 0-1 Malaysia
Full Match / Match Highlights

A disappointing result for a Bangledesh side that’s been on the up, including qualifying for their first Asian Cup tournament.

Algeria 2-1 Kenya
Match Highlights

Algeria had a good WAFCON run in 2024, reaching the quarterfinals and only going out on penalties. Will be interesting to see if they can go further in 2026. For Kenya, 2026 will be only their second WAFCON.

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1-2 Belarus
Full Match

Both of these nations have seen some improvement over the last couple years, but neither played well at the League B level of the UEFA Nations league. They should take pride in their growth, but still plenty of room for growth.

North Korea 5-2 Russia

No highlights floating around, but a couple articles here and here.

Finland 1-1 Austria
Match Highlights

Two teams that will be in the mix for World Cup places from Europe.

Australia 5-0 New Zealand
Match Highlights

One, I miss Hayley Raso playing in the NWSL. Two, I think New Zealand needs to follow Australia to the AFC.

Ukraine 1-1 Scotland
Full Match

I recall shortly after the 1998 World Cup victory, the US played Ukraine in a friendly and absolutely demolished them. Like so many other nations, it’s been fun to watch their women’s teams develop as their clubs and federations have bothered to invest in the women’s game. Ukraine had a very nice 2025, and it does feel like they’ve got some quality there, but I wonder if they can keep this going through World Cup qualification. Olha Ovdiychuk has been a warrior for her nation, and I’d love to see her in the World Cup.

Singapore 7-0 Seychelles
Match Highlights

This a big win to wrap up a poor 2025 for Singapore. Seychelles need to keep having these friendlies. Get their players consistent matches.

Cyprus 3-2 Luxembourg
If you can watch RTL in Luxembourg, full match here. Also includes a summary of the match.

Both of these teams have been on the rise lately. Cyprus nearly moved up a league after the 2025 UEFA Nations League, but they were beaten by Albania in the promotion/relegation playoff. Luxembourg did move up, topping their group and going undefeated.

Czechia 0-1 Serbia
Full Match

Serbia are one of those teams that, if they click, they are tough to beat. But they just don’t quite have the depth of talent to really sustain, say, a qualifying run to the World Cup.

Montenegro 1-0 Romania

Can’t find much on this match, but the Romanian FA has a writeup.

Turkiye 1-1 Albania
Full Match

I’ve always been impressed with Albania’s midfield playmaker, Qendresa Krasniqi. She’s got good vision and aggressive dribbling.

Zimbabwe 2-1 Malawi
Full Match (starts in 23’)

Zimbabwe got up early on a mixed Malawian lineup. Some of the bigger names, including Tabitha Chawinga, came on at half and Malawi offered more, but they couldn’t complete the comeback.

Poland 1-0 Slovenia
Full Match / Match Highlights

This was a fun match, and Kinga Szemik stood on her head to keep Slovenia off the scoresheet.

Malta 3-2 Croatia
Full Match

I can’t say I’m well-versed on either of these teams, but Malta did win their 2025 UEFA Nations League group and won promotion to League B. They’ll be predicted to finish bottom in their World Cup Qualifying group, but it’s one they’ll fancy surprising a few teams and moving on to the knockout round. I doubt they have what it takes to qualify, but they may go further than you’d expect.

Morocco 1-1 Burkina Faso
Match Highlights

Morocco are shaping up to mirror France’s habit of having a good team the never wins. They’ll be hosting their third WAFCON, and they will go in the favorites, but they have to get over that last hurdle. I’d love to see Chebbak win something something with Morocco. Also, Burkina Faso’s goal comes from a defensive error, but has some cheekiness to it nonetheless.

Norway 3-1 Brazil
Match Highlights

As the hosts, there will be a lot of pressure on Brazil to perform at the 2027 World Cup. Like Canada, they are having to move on from a legendary player. Marta may be there in 2027, but the nation needs to be able to succeed without her.

South Korea 1-1 Wales
Wales goal and Summary from BBC

Both of these teams have been on the decline. For South Korea, in particular, they benefit from Asia having a decent number of qualifying spots, but they may really struggle to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. Teams like Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Uzbekistan are far more competitive. Having to compete with that group and the perennial powerhouses of Australia, Japan, North Korea, and China; the World Cup may be elusive for the South Koreans this time around.

Portugal 1-2 Netherlands
Match Highlights

Not much to say. A good result for the Dutch.

Switzerland 1-2 Belgium
Full Match

2025 has been an interesting year for Belgium. They had some solid results, including a big win over England in the UEFA Nations League. But they ultimately got relegated to League B and had poor results against lesser teams. If they can muster what they bring against the big teams to all their matches, they can turn heads.

Japan 3-0 Canada
Match Highlights

This really was a forgettable outing for Canada, and especially Sheridan with her mistake on the second goal. Frankly, it’s been a forgettable stretch without any goals. This does feel like an interesting time for the CANWNT. It’s the post-Sinc era, so they’re a team in transition and it shows. But the NSL can really help with player development. It just needs time. Mexico looks poised to overtake Canada as the number 2 nation in CONCACAF. It’ll be fun to watch that battle.

Uzbekistan 2-0 Iran

Genuinely a little surprised I can’t find a stream of this match. Uzbekistan is usually good about showing their women’s team’s matches. I wonder if it was behind closed doors. Bummed too because I was hoping to see Uzbekistan in action again. They’ve got some attacking talent. A very brief review of the match here.

Ireland 3-2 Hungary

Match was played behind closed doors, but a summary from BBC here.

Estonia 0-2 Lithuania
Full Match

One for the deep-cuts collection. Lithuania absolutely smash-and-grabbed this win. Estonia had the far better of play, but Lithuania snuck two goals on counters.

Indonesia 0-5 Taiwan
Full Match

As with the Philippines in 2023, I would not be surprised if we see some new faces from Asia, and Taiwan is one them. They’ve not quite cracked upsetting the big teams, but they’re getting close.

Azerbaijan 2-0 Malaysia
Full Match

Malaysia were developing their women’s team in the 1970s. They finished a respectable 4th place in the 1975 AFC Championship. And the women’s game seemed to get investment into the ‘80s, but as best I can tell, it dries up in the ‘90s and 2000s. I wouldn’t necessarily expect Malaysia to be in league with the Japans and Austrialias of Asia, but they could be regular World Cup qualifiers if they’d kept it up.

Liechtenstein 1-4 Hong Kong
Full Match

You didn’t know just how much WoSo was on the internet, did you?

Greece 2-0 Belarus
Full Match

For the completionists out there. Part of a tri-nation tournament hosted by Bosnia & Herzegovina

North Korea 1-1 Russia

Can’t find info on the second match.

Algeria 1-1 Kenya
Match Highlights

Kenya an improved result over the first match.

Malawi 1-1 Zambia
Full Second Half

Zambia’s goal from Natasha Nanyangwe involved some nice buildup. The Zimbabwe result was a disappointment for Malawi, but this draw will feel better, even if a lead was given up.

In the next post, I’ll wrap up the international break with the fixtures in December. Some key matches include the second leg of the UEFA Nations League Final, more CONMEBOL qualifiers, and the match up between American Samoa and Cook Islands to see who gets the last spot in the OFC qualification group stage.