The balance in the women's game has improved dramatically. In previous WWC's, at most 5-6 teams had any realistic shot, and at least 6-8 couldn't really even compete. This year only three teams played like they didn't belong (Argentina, 0 pts, -17 GD; Ghana, 0 pts, -12 GD; and New Zealand, 0 pts, -9 GD - the only team to never score a goal). Nigeria managed only one point, but considering the group they were stuck in, a -4 GD suggests they might have had a great shot at going through with any other draw.
Poor Canada! They led Australia by a goal entering stoppage time, but the Aussies got the tying goal that sent them through.