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Brazil beat Germany, the world's second-ranked
side, 2-1 and Australia ended England's 30-match unbeaten run
2-0 on Tuesday, the final day of the April international
friendly window.
England coach Sarina Wiegman said the team must improve "to be
at our best at the World Cup". Defender Leah Williamson insisted
the loss would give the European Champions "a bit of fire".
But injuries have shaken up other World Cup favourites, with
little time left to plan a 23-player squad.
Olympic champions Canada were left without several key veterans
in their 2-1 loss against France on Tuesday, and coach Bev
Priestman told reporters she would likely have to take an
extended group into the preparation camp as they try to plan
"with and without some very critical players".
Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who has made more than 200
appearances for Canada and helped them win gold in Tokyo, said
it would be up to every player to make what remaining time they
have left count.
"Obviously the margins are very small against top-tier teams,"
she said. "So as individuals we need to go home to our home
environments, make sure we're ticking all the boxes, being our
best selves."
For defending champions United States, who are aiming for an
unprecedented third consecutive title, the challenge is filling
the hole left behind by goal-scoring machine Mallory Swanson,
who went down with a torn patella tendon over the weekend.
"With losing Mal, obviously, conceptually we may look slightly
different," head coach Vlatko Andonovski told reporters after
their 1-0 win over Ireland on Tuesday.
"Once this camp is over and we review it, we hope to have a
little better answer or at least a clear understanding of the
direction that we want to take."
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Christian
Radnedge)
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