The knockout stages continue apace with Japan and Spain safely into the quarter-finals after impressive wins over Norway and Switzerland respectively.
Some heavy-hitters are in action on Day 18 with four-time champions USA, yet to catch fire at this year's tournament, facing a Sweden side that has made it to the semi-finals in two of the last three tournaments.
Before that, the Netherlands and South Africa clash in Sydney. The Netherlands were finalists in 2019, losing 2-0 to a USA side who they drew 1-1 with in this year's group stage.
South Africa are one of the surprise packets in the last 16 having stunned Italy in their final group game with Thembi Kgatlana scoring a last-gasp winner to secure a 3-2 win – and the pass to the knockout stages that went with it.
South Africa are used to being underestimated and the Netherlands will find out on Sunday that reaching the last 16 at the Women's World Cup is not the extent of their ambitions, coach Desiree Ellis said on Saturday.
Banyana Banyana surprised everyone but themselves when they beat Italy 3-2 on Wednesday to reach the knockout stages of the tournament and set up the clash against the 2019 World Cup finalists at Sydney Football Stadium.
"We've been underestimated so many times before," Ellis told reporters.
"I think this group has shown that nothing can stand in their way, this group has shown when the chips are down that they can stand up. We know who we are playing, but they don't know who they are playing.
"Because this group when the chips are down, they've just gotten better and better. And all I can say is that there's going to be a match tomorrow."
Striker Jermaine Seoposenwe said the criticism the team received after leading their opening match before losing to Sweden, and then giving up a two-goal advantage to draw with Argentina, had helped motivate her.
"No one gave us a chance to get out of the group, we are African champions and people still didn't give us a chance," she said.
"So I think for me, I just took it personally. And that's why I play the way I play. I want to show that we are a team to be reckoned with and that we can compete at the highest level."
South Africa are back in front against Italy thanks to Thembi Kgatlana's injury-time strike. They are on course for the knockout stages. Italy need to score again or they're heading home.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 2, 2023
Watch the final moments here: https://t.co/1ncBhUXJWF pic.twitter.com/5stl2PDehJ
The Netherlands, 2019 runners-up, are strong favourites but Dutch coach Andries Jonker is not taking the reigning African champions lightly.
"Many people in women's football will consider South Africa smaller... I think it will be another fight between two countries who have just one desire, fly to New Zealand (for the quarter-finals)," he said.
The Netherlands had managed just two goals in their first two group games, but they hit Vietnam for seven last time out.
Their goalscoring blitz in Dunedin will give them immense confidence heading into this game.
Jonker, who took over after the Netherlands' disappointing quarter-final exit at last year's Euros, said that finishing above the US, who drew 0-0 with Portugal, reaffirmed his pre-tournament assessment of the team.
"Of course it helps when you qualify first in your group, when the United States is also in your group, and of course it helps when you win 7-0 and score wonderful goals... This team is capable of many things.
"A year ago we saw a lot of teams in Europe who were better than us, but we've managed to close the gap. Of course, we have to make it happen and win against these major countries, but it's clear that we're a lot closer to victory than a year ago."
The United States find themselves in unfamiliar territory as group runners-up at the Women's World Cup and the defending champions will now look to win a third straight title the hard way when they face high-flying Sweden in the last 16.
The Americans topped their group in 2015 and 2019 but this year they finished behind the Netherlands after two draws. They were also nearly eliminated in stoppage time of their final group game when debutants Portugal hit the post in a goalless draw.
The US have been far from their best but coach Vlatko Andonovski said the criticism of the team was harsh, adding that the women's soccer landscape has changed in recent years with teams closing the gap to the top.
Ana Capeta hits the post in the 90th minute as Portugal looked for a famous win but the USA held on for a 0-0 draw and so advance to the round of 16 #wwc2023 #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/tmj5ld1t9K
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) August 1, 2023
"We want to (win) everything by five goals. Who doesn't want to do that, right? But those results are gone," he said.
For Sweden, the Americans are familiar foes but this marks the first time the two heavyweight sides, ranked number one and three in the world, face each other in the knockouts.
The Scandinavian side beat the US at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, but coach Peter Gerhardsson said history would have no say on Sunday.
"You can talk about revenge or underdog mentality. For me, that's not going to make the difference tomorrow. It's the players who play," Gerhardsson said.
Watch every game from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup live on RTÉ with comprehensive coverage across television, radio and digital
Additional reporting: Reuters
