How Everton players fared in group game one at the Women's World Cup
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is up and running after a thrilling opening round of fixtures in Australia and New Zealand.
Seven Everton players are representing their country in the southern hemisphere across five different nations, and they have certainly made a splash during the first week of the tournament.
From Sweden's Hanna Bennison to Australia's Clare Wheeler, a Toffee has been involved on most matchdays so far.
So, after a fascinating opening block of fixtures, let's take a closer look at how Everton's international stars are getting on.
Sweden
Two Toffees are in Sweden's squad for the World Cup, and they got their tournament off to a dramatic start.
Amanda Ilestedt scored a last-minute winner as Blågult came from a goal behind to beat South Africa 2-1 in Wellington.
Nathalie Bjorn played the full 90 minutes on the right side of a back three and, on the whole, looked very comfortable up against a tricky South African forward line.
Bennison was also very solid, playing 23 minutes and helping Sweden find a late winner.
Denmark
There was more drama as Denmark beat China 1-0 in their first match of the 2023 World Cup.
Katrine Veje and Karen Holmgaard both played 90 minutes and put in pair of excellent defensive displays.
That helped provide the platform for Amalie Vangsgaard, who scored an 89th-minute winner by heading home Pernille Harder's corner.
Veje and Holmgaard will both expect to retain their places in the starting XI ahead of Denmark's next game, against England.
Netherlands
Katja Snoeijs made a brief cameo for the Netherlands in their 1-0 win against Portugal.
She came off the bench with three minutes left of normal time to replace Lineth Beerensteyn, who won the corner that led to Stefanie
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