How Bunny Shaw, Michelle Alozie, Tennessee soccer players fared in 2023 FIFA World Cup group stage

Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee soccer is represented by four players at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and three of them are moving on to the knockout stage.

There is one current and three former Lady Vols in New Zealand and Australia this summer. Hannah Wilkinson is playing for New Zealand, Michelle Alozie with Nigeria and Khadija "Bunny" Shaw and Kameron Simmonds representing for Jamaica. Simmonds, 19, is going into her sophomore season at Tennessee.

Here's how each team fared in the group stage.

Nigeria advances

Apple Valley-born Michelle Alozie, No. 22, and the Nigeria Women’s Super Falcons soccer team defeat the Australia squad during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 match on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia.

For the third time in history, Nigeria is moving on to the knockout stages.

After opening group play with a 0-0 draw against Canada, Nigeria upset co-host Australia 3-2. It was a stunning win that showed just how deep this year's tournament is. The Super Falcons pulled off the upset – ranked 40th in the world compared to Australia ranked 10th – in front of a 49,156 home crowd for Australia at Brisbane Stadium.

Australia scored first during stoppage time in the first half, but Nigeria got the equalizer quickly and went into the half tied 1-1. Nigeria scored two more in the second half and led 3-1 until Australia scored its second goal in stoppage time.

Alozie has been a staple of Nigeria's starting lineup this tournament, playing a key role in Nigeria going unbeaten in the group stage. The Super Falcons tied 0-0 with Ireland to secure its top-two finish to advance to the knockout rounds with five points. Australia beat Canada to win the group with six points.

Nigeria will face England in the Round of 16 on Monday (3:30 a.m. ET, FS1).

Jamaica advances

Jamaica has made history in every game this World Cup.

The Reggae Girlz scored their first point with their opening 0-0 draw against France, they won their first game at the World Cup when they beat Panama 1-0 without Shaw and they became the first Caribbean nation to advance to the knockout stage with a 0-0 draw against Brazil.

Jamaica's Khadija Shaw in action during the Women's World Cup Group F soccer match between Jamaica and Brazil in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

The last time Brazil failed to make it out of the group stage in 1995.

Shaw started in both Jamaica's draws, but wasn't able to play in her nation's first World Cup win due to receiving two yellow cards against France. Simmonds came on as a substitute in Jamaica's historic win over Panama, entering the game in the 80th minute.

The Reggae Girlz qualified for their first World Cup in 2019, but lost all three games. Their second time around has been an inspiring step forward for Jamaica. The Reggae Girlz will play in the Round of 16 on Tuesday (4 a.m. ET, FS1) against the winner of Group H, which is currently being led by Colombia.

New Zealand eliminated

New Zealand made history, but couldn't make it out of their group.

Wilkinson, who played at Tennessee from 2012-16, scored the game-winning goal against Norway in front of a record crowd of 42,137 on her home soil. The 1-0 win was the Football Ferns' first-ever World Cup victory.

New Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women's World Cup soccer match between New Zealand and Norway in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)

But Group A was a dogfight. New Zealand lost 0-1 to the Philippines next. Then the Philippines lost 0-6 to Norway, which gave Norway an edge over New Zealand in goal differential. The Ferns tied 0-0 with Switzerland in their final game, ending their hopes of advancing.

Switzerland won the group with five points, Norway and New Zealand tied with four points and the Philippines had three. But Norway advanced over the Ferns because of goal differential.