Women's World Cup: Argentina holds Japan for first point

Japan began its quest for a third consecutive final with a goalless draw as Argentina scored its first point in the World Cup.

The Japanese won the tournament in 2011 by defeating the United States, who took revenge four years later.

Japan's Yui Hasegawa was shot deep in qualifying for a promising second half position. Both teams came closer to goal.

The draw leaves England leading the group D after his win against Scotland on Sunday.

And Phil Neville's team will be confident to reap another three points when it faces the Argentines on Friday (kickoff 20:00 BST), while Japan will face Scotland (14:00).

When he arrived in the tournament, Carlos Borello's team was made up of 500 players outside the trophy and had a bad record in the World Cup after losing all six previous games.

They finished bottom of their group on the previous two occasions when they had arrived in the final and their fun in the draw was obvious, players kissing and substitutes rushing to the field to join them.

Although Japan dominated the match in Paris and owned 72%, the Argentine defenders prevented it from being dismissed by Yuika Sugasawa's fierce defense.

Neither team shot on goal in the first half. Argentine striker Flor Bonsegundo scored a shot from goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Much improved Argentina – statistics

• It was only the seventh draw 0-0 in the history of the Women's World Cup and the first for one or the other of these teams.
• Before that day, there had been a goal in 40 consecutive matches, the last 0-0 draw between the United States and Sweden in the 2015 group stage.
• Argentina has kept its first clean sheet at the tournament. They had previously conceded an average of 5.5 goals per game.
• It's a big improvement for Argentina in their last opening match in 2007, when they lost to Germany 11-0.
• Argentina had only one shot on goal, in the 73rd minute – the last team had to wait for a shot on goal.
• Argentina did not touch Japan before the 65th minute.
• Mana Iwabuchi made her 11th appearance at the World Cup for Japan – all off the bench – a record for substitute appearances.
• Mariela Coronel has become Argentina's oldest player of the World Cup at 37 years and 355 days.