The hosts made it to the knock-out phase but were surprisingly undone by Japan who went all the way, even if they did need penalties to help them. The evidence of the competition overall suggested that the gap between the top rated teams and those in the second rank was closing.
Unlike the previous tournament, extra-time and penalties were needed on several occasions.
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages
England
France
There is a familiar ring to England being cruelly eliminated on penalties and the women's team are not immune. Jill Scott had put the Lionesses ahead on the hour with a long range strike but with minutes left Élise Bussaglia equalised after the English defence failed to clear the ball. In extra-time France were constantly on the attack but despite cramp and injuries, England hung on. England had the initial advantage in the shoot-out as Bardsley saved Abily's first kick but this was lost when Rafferty and then White missed.
Germany
Japan
Germany had most of the chances in normal time but failed to take advantage so the match went into extra-time. Three minutes into the second period Sawa chipped the ball over the German defence for Maruyama to run onto and the forward smartly clipped it past the German 'keeper from an acute angle.
Sweden
Australia
The Blagult deserved their win over a spirited Australian team. Therese Sjögran put Sweden into an early lead and the midfielder made the cross that Dahlkvist headed in. Perry pulled one back for the Matlidas five minutes before half-time but in the 52nd minute Schelin scored Sweden's third after the Australian defence gifted her the ball.
Brazil
United States
The USA took the lead in the second minute when Daiane turned Shannon Boxx's cross into her own net. In the second half Buehler was sent off after bringing down Marta in the box. Cristiane's spot-kick was saved but the referee ordered that it be retaken. In the second minute of extra-time Marta put Brazil into the lead. With her back to the goal she flicked the ball over her shoulder and in off the far post. Deep into injury-time, Wambach met a speculative cross and headed home a spectacular late equaliser. In the shoot-out the unfortunate Daiane had her kick saved which allowed Alex Krieger to seal a dramatic win by scoring with her own penalty kick.
France
United States
The United States led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Cheney in the ninth minute, glancing the ball in from a short cross. France's equaliser came ten minutes into the second half when Bompastor sent a high cross over, Thiney failed to make contact and the ball went in off the far post as the goalkeeper scrambled to reach it. Wambach (79') and Morgan (82') wrapped things up.
Japan
Sweden
Oqvist put Sweden ahead following a defensive error in the tenth minute but it took just nine minutes for Japan to strike back. The second half started at a frenetic pace and after Ohno had clipped the top of the crossbar, Japan took the lead on the hour after goalkeeper Lindahl failed to reach a cross and Sawa was in position to nod it home. Four minutes later Lindahl rushed ou of her area to deal with a long ball and her clearance fell to Kawasumi who lobbed it in from fully 35 metres.
Sweden
France
With almost half an hour played Schelin got away from her marker to reach a long ball and flicked it past the French goalkeeper. Thomis equalised in the 56th minute, beating Sapowicz at the near post from the edge of the area. Josefine Öqvist, who had been denied a goal when she hit the post earlier was given her marching orders in the 68th minute after kicking out at Bompastor following a heavy challenge. In the 82nd minute Hammarström collected the ball after it was partially cleared from a corner, jinked to her right and then left before hammering the ball into the goal.
Japan
United States
Alex Morgan opened the scoring for the USA with a low strike after 69 minutes. The United States had dominated for long periods, hitting the woodwork twice, and deserved to be ahead but Aya Miyama equalised with nine minutes to go. Abby Wambach put the United States ahead again in extra-time but once again Japan came back with a dramatic late equaliser, Sawa scoring with a spectacular flick at the near post. Saki Kumagai scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after Boxx and Heath had their kicks saved and Carli Lloyd blazed hers over the bar.