Fansided

5 things we learned from the 2019 Women’s World Cup

By Clemente Lisi

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Fans of France cheer during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Fans of France cheer during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images) /
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Netherlands’ midfielder Jill Roord (L) vies with Italy’s midfielder Valentina Cernoia (R) during the France 2019 Women’s World Cup quarter-final football match between Italy and Netherlands, on June 29, 2019, at the Hainaut stadium in Valenciennes, northern France. (Photo by Philippe HUGUEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)
Netherlands’ midfielder Jill Roord (L) vies with Italy’s midfielder Valentina Cernoia (R) during the France 2019 Women’s World Cup quarter-final football match between Italy and Netherlands, on June 29, 2019, at the Hainaut stadium in Valenciennes, northern France. (Photo by Philippe HUGUEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images) /

European investment pays off

That European clubs have been heavily investing in women’s soccer at the club level the past few years really showed at this tournament. The knockout stage really proved this theory correct when seven out of the eight remaining teams at the tournament hailed from Europe. The USWNT was the only exception.

While France’s first division has become the envy of the women’s soccer, other countries like Spain and England have also heavily invested in it. The Netherlands, the defending European champions, reached the final in just their second appearance ever at a World Cup.

In Italy, clubs like Juventus have fielded female teams and drawn large crowds. That investment was noticeable for Italy, who reached the quarterfinals. While many had them out after the group stage, the Italians stunned the field by defeating Australia and Jamaica to win the group. In the Round of 16, Italy got past China to get to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1991.

The Italians, it should be noted, had not qualified for the World Cup finals since 1999. Like France, Italy is now firmly a women’s soccer power. How much the team can be competitive in the years to come largely depends on whether Europe’s big clubs continue to pump money into the women’s game to develop players and build world-class facilities.