Women's World Cup knockout stage power rankings

Spain started well vs. Germany; probably should have scored the opener and did well to hold one of the tournament favorites to a single goal. La Roja haven't found the back of the net since facing South Africa in their opener, and now they have to face the United States. While Spain has made noteworthy and noble strides in the women's game this decade, it'd be a historic result if the team managed to push the U.S. to extra time, let alone somehow pulled off an upset for the ages.

Don't sleep on Cameroon potentially making life hard for England on June 23. The team's defensive tactics antagonized both Canada and the Netherlands, and Ajara Nchout's heroics at the death vs. New Zealand put the Indomitable Lionesses through to the knockout stages and has them playing with house money. Cameroon can't engage in the beautiful game and get past England, but it's already given us one of the best moments of the World Cup. 

VAR robbed Nigeria of a point vs. France, and the Super Falcons should be bolstered knowing they didn't concede to the hosts in open play after surrendering three goals to Norway in their World Cup opener. With that said, their impending showdown with Germany prevents them from rising any further in power rankings. The Germans haven't yet conceded in the World Cup. We've seen nothing from Nigeria to lead us to believe it'll be the opponent that breaks that trend. 

Where are the goals going to come from in a must-win game? It's the question hovering over China, third place in Group B, ahead of the nation's showdown with Italy. China put only one past World Cup debutants and doormats South Africa and inspired little confidence in a scoreless draw with Spain. Wang Shanshan was withdrawn from the second half of that contest after she appeared to be dealing with a leg problem. China hitting the target without her in the attack may be too big an ask.

Marta and Cristiane aren't done yet. No, this Brazil side isn't as deep or talented as the squad that took the United States to the brink of elimination in 2011, but no country, including one carrying the burden of hosting the tournament, wants to see the in-form Canarinhas in a win-or-go-home game. Brazil's collapse after earning a 2-0 lead over Australia cost the team a few spots here. 

We still think young and inexperienced Japan is using the World Cup to prepare for the Olympics, but the fact the winners of the 2011 tournament and finalists from 2015 went 1-1-1 in group play should scare every other country in the bracket. Granted, this squad is weak in defense and, at times, toothless in the final third, and one could envision Holland scoring for fun if Japan is forced to press forward while trailing. 

Putting three past Nigeria without the protesting Ada Hegerberg on the team flattered Norway, but it was unlucky to not steal a point from France on Matchday 2. Questions about the country's attack missing the Ballon d'Or winner linger after a pair of penalties were needed to down South Korea. Things could get ugly if Norway goes down to Australia early. 

Since losing to Brazil 2-0 on its second matchday, Australia has hit the back of the net seven times, and Sam Kerr heads into the group stages as the world's hottest goal scorer. The never-say-die Matildas are as advertised: a nation with a potent attack and visible holes in defense. Neutrals should want to see Australia engage a world power in a heavyweight prize fight for what could produce the tournament's best encounter. 

It's understandable some want to show the most surprising group winner of the World Cup more respect, but there are legitimate reasons Italy beating Australia was such a stunning occurrence. Italy's defense frustrated the Matildas and Brazil, and Juventus striker Barbara Bonansea, the hero against Australia, is emerging as an international star and a handful for opponents. The Azzurri made the tournament's knockout stage for the first time since 1991, as CNN's Ravi Ubha explained. 

Sweden failed its only real test of the World Cup, to date, losing 2-0 to the USWNT in a match that could've been more lopsided. The Blue and Yellow missed legendary goal scorer Lotta Schelin vs. Chile, and beating up on Thailand in a glorified exhibition means nothing other than it helped Sweden advance to a showdown with Canada. Sweden's defense will need to mirror its performance against the U.S. in the 2016 Summer Olympics to get past the Canucks. 

Here's the hottest take of these World Cup power rankings: Canada is the most underrated team alive and kicking. After keeping clean sheets in a pair of wins, Canada's lack of creativity in the final third along with goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe failing to collect the cross eventually smashed home by Holland's Lineth Beerensteyn cost the Canucks at least a draw with the Netherlands. Captain Christine Sinclair is now on career goal No. 182 , two behind the record held by American soccer icon Abby Wambach. 

The Netherlands didn't make things easy for itself across three games, but the reigning European champions notched three victories and became the first nation to score vs. Canada this World Cup. Supporters of the Oranje can smile knowing that Vivianne Miedema, the London Football Awards Women's Player of the Year, is arguably the best playmaker on the pitch when in form. They'll probably want to ignore those highlights of the Canadian attack spinning the Dutch defense in circles throughout Holland's 2-1 win on June 20. 

If France wasn't the home country, would anybody be viewing this nation as a legitimate contender to claim the crown following the group stages? After a shocking own goal nearly sunk the French vs. Norway, Les Bleues needed an assist from VAR to allow Wendie Renard to retake a missed penalty and find the back of the net for the country's lone goal vs. Nigeria. 

Like France and Germany, England failed to produce a standout performance in its first two games, as the Three Lionesses lacked clinical finishing over those 180 minutes. Ellen White's brace against Japan somewhat overshadowed England's repeated poor play in the final third during its win that secured a perfect group record. The positive spin is Phil Neville's side theoretically hasn't yet played its best football, but there are signs a breakthrough is imminent.

Germany losing Dzsenifer Marozsan to injury and notching a pair of unimpressive 1-0 wins in its first two World Cup appearances left one wondering if it could hang with the United States when it matters most. A 4-0 thrashing of South Africa, its lowest-ranked opponent, reminded us Die Nationalelf still have plenty of firepower even without the three-time reigning UNFP Female Player of the Year. Germany shouldn't need Marozsan in the Round of 16, but she'll be missed when the nation sees better competition. 

Just how wide is the gap that separates the United States Women's National Team from the rest of the field three games into the World Cup? ESPNFC recently wondered if the U.S. reserves make up the tournament's second-best side. To be honest, we're not sure if the Americans actually showed some vulnerabilities on counterattacks vs. Sweden or if the Red-White-and-Blue were merely bored. They're able to sub Carli Lloyd infrom the bench. No other country has such a weapon. It'd probably benefit the Americans if Spain gave them a challenge, but we wouldn't recommend holding your breath waiting for that to occur.