2019 Women’s World Cup: Argentina Stuns Japan for First-Ever Point
@guardian_sport Twitter. Pictured: Argentina and Japan battling at the Women’s World Cup
- Argentina picked up their first point ever in a Women's World Cup by holding Japan to a 0-0 draw in Group D action Monday night.
- The draw closed at +925 on the moneyline while Japan were -1000 favorites to win.
- England are the biggest beneficiarieis of the upset as they're now atop the group with three points.
Favorites were rolling through the opening weekend of the 2019 Women’s World Cup until Italy defeated Australia, 2-1, on Sunday as +400 underdogs.
Argentina then earned a 0-0 draw against Japan which paid out +925 on the moneyline.
Surprise result in #FIFAWWC Group D#JPN and #ARG end 0-0. Draw closed +925.#JPN closed -1000 on the moneyline and -2.5 on the goal line.
— Action Network Soccer (@ActionNetSoccer) June 10, 2019
The point was the first in team history for Argentina at a Women’s World Cup after losing all six matches in two previous appearances (2003 and 2007). They had been outscored, 33-2, in the World Cup heading into Monday’s match against Japan, one of the tournament favorites.
Argentina earn their first ever point at a FIFA Women's World Cup!
The reaction after the final whistle says it all. pic.twitter.com/kMK7o0xnrP
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 10, 2019
A 0-0 draw is uncommon in the Women’s World Cup and the last time it happened was June 13, 2015 when USA and Sweden played to a scoreless stalemate. From then on, 39 consecutive matches had seen at least one goal scored.
Japan’s run of 29 straight matches without a 0-0 result was also snapped when they couldn’t find the net against Argentina as -1000 favorites. That streak is the longest ever for any nation at a Women’s World Cup.
There were some decent scoring chances from Japan but their true xG was just 0.5 and other statistics weren’t very lopsided either. Japan won the possession battle 61% to 39% but put only three shots on target and were responsible for all three yellow cards during the match.
Argentina brought a physical style from the very first minute and didn’t let up until they earned the historic point.
England were the -165 favorites to win Group D heading into the tournament and they now have sole possession at the top with three points. They’ll play Argentina in the next group match on Friday, June 14 at 3 p.m. ET.
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