1999 FIFA Women's World Cup#Quarter-finals

The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup was the third edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, the international women's championship created by FIFA following several precursor tournaments that were organized to test its feasibility. International women's soccer had gained popularity in the 1970s, following the easing of gender sanctions by national associations, and competitions were organized between national teams, including the Mundialito and Women's World Invitational Tournament.{{cite book |last=Murray |first=Caitlin |year=2019 |title=The National Team: The Inside Story of the Women Who Changed Soccer |pages=4–6 |publisher=Abrams Press |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4197-3449-6 |oclc=1090417335}} A FIFA-organized women's tournament was hosted by China in 1988 and was followed by the announcement of the first FIFA Women's World Cup, to be hosted by China in 1991.{{harvp|Murray|2019|pages=8–9}} The tournament, which had several modified rules and was officially known as the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women's Football for the M&M's Cup until retroactively given the World Cup moniker,{{cite magazine |last=Wahl |first=Grant |author-link=Grant Wahl |date=June 6, 2019 |title=How the Women's World Cup and USWNT Were Built From Scratch |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/06/first-womens-world-cup-1991-uswnt-usa-sepp-blatter |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=June 10, 2019}} was considered a success by FIFA and was followed up by the second World Cup in Sweden four years later with greater media attention but played in front of smaller crowds averaging under 4,500.{{harvp|Murray|2019|pages=25–26}}{{cite news |date=February 21, 2019 |title=The 1999 gamble that paid off |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/the-1999-gamble-that-paid-off |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512055321/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/the-1999-gamble-that-paid-off |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

The United States Soccer Federation announced their intention to bid for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in February 1995, shortly after hosting the successful 1994 men's World Cup.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=February 27, 1995 |title=Young Americans May See Rough Road in Argentina |page=C13 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16186360/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_bid_from/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512011656/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16186360/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_bid_from/ |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite book |last=Longman |first=Jere |year=2000 |title=The Girls of Summer |url=https://archive.org/details/girlsofsummerusw00long |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/girlsofsummerusw00long/page/30 30–32] |publisher=HarperCollins |location=New York |isbn=978-0-06-019657-8 |oclc=924231054}} Australia and Chile both announced their intention to bid but withdrew from the process in December 1995.{{cite news |date=December 11, 1995 |title=Women's Cup May Come to U.S. |page=B21 |agency=Associated Press |work=The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/12/sports/women-s-cup-may-come-to-us.html |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512012051/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/12/sports/women-s-cup-may-come-to-us.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} This left the United States as the sole applicant by the March 1996 deadline for bids.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=March 5, 1996 |title=They Hope to Boldly Go Where No U.S. Man Has Gone Before |page=C7 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16185594/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_host_bid/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512011654/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16185594/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_host_bid/ |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} The FIFA Executive Committee officially awarded hosting rights to the United States on May 31, 1996, the same day that the 2002 men's World Cup was jointly awarded to Japan and South Korea.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 1, 1996 |title=Women's Soccer Championship Is Coming to America in 1999 |page=C7 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16184835/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_host/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512012228/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16184835/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_host/ |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

With the exception of the semifinals, the tournament's 32 matches were organized into 15 doubleheaders, consisting of two matches played back-to-back in the same stadium.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=November 19, 1997 |title=Rose Bowl Gets Women's Final |page=C7 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-19-sp-55485-story.html |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529105807/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/nov/19/sports/sp-55485 |archive-date=May 29, 2014 |url-status=live}} The semifinals were played in separate venues, but organized as doubleheaders hosted by the San Jose Clash and New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=July 4, 1999 |title=Does United Know Way to Palo Alto? |page=D5 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/07/04/does-united-know-way-to-palo-alto/11965696-4bd6-48f4-af88-35de25074279/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512011446/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/07/04/does-united-know-way-to-palo-alto/11965696-4bd6-48f4-af88-35de25074279/ |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Springer |first=Shira |date=June 18, 1999 |title=Foxboro gets dressed up for banner occasion |page=E7 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31611575/foxboro_gets_dressed_up_for_banner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 15, 2019}} Eight venues were used for the tournament: three on the East Coast, four on the West Coast, and one in Chicago.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=November 20, 1997 |title=Women's World Cup at Giants Stadium |page=C7 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/20/sports/plus-soccer-women-s-world-cup-at-giants-stadium.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512012054/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/20/sports/plus-soccer-women-s-world-cup-at-giants-stadium.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Most of the stadiums were American football venues with higher capacities than many of the stadiums used in the first two tournaments. At FIFA's request, the tournament's organizers had originally planned to use five smaller college football venues on the East Coast located in a single time zone. The final match would be staged at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |last1=Berkowitz |first1=Steve |last2=Sullivan |first2=Kevin |date=June 1, 1996 |title=RFK May Host Final for Women's World Cup |page=D1 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/06/01/rfk-may-host-final-for-womens-world-cup/4eb9ee88-3b38-4ff1-8f5c-7f841c737da9/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512011448/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/06/01/rfk-may-host-final-for-womens-world-cup/4eb9ee88-3b38-4ff1-8f5c-7f841c737da9/ |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Following the success of the inaugural women's soccer tournament at the 1996 Summer Olympics, which had high attendances and culminated in 76,489 watching the gold medal match,{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=June 19, 1999 |title=Women's World Cup: All Is Ready, and the Stands Are Full |page=D1 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/19/sports/women-s-world-cup-all-is-ready-and-the-stands-are-full.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512012052/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/19/sports/women-s-world-cup-all-is-ready-and-the-stands-are-full.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} the organizing committee chose to use larger stadiums instead and received 15 bids in 1997.{{cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=June 7, 1997 |title=Stadiums Vie for Women's World Cup |page=B2 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=November 20, 1997 |title=Women's World Cup Lands in Landover |page=E2 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

The eight venues and host cities were announced on November 19, 1997, including five large American football venues that were used in the 1994 men's World Cup. The tournament final was awarded to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, which reprised its role from the 1984 Summer Olympics gold medal match and the 1994 men's final. The opening match would be played at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City. The tournament's organizing committee estimated that the 1999 World Cup would average an attendance of 25,000 per match, with U.S. matches and later knockout ties at near sellouts in the larger venues. Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Landover, Maryland, serving the Washington, D.C. market, had a limited capacity of 41,000 seats because of ongoing construction during the group stage. It was later raised to 55,000 for the quarterfinals.{{cite news |last=Gisein |first=Dan |date=June 30, 1999 |title=Cooke Stadium's Capacity Increased |page=D7 |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/WOMEN-S-WORLD-CUP-NOTEBOOK-Cooke-Stadium-s-2923295.php |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512054413/https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/WOMEN-S-WORLD-CUP-NOTEBOOK-Cooke-Stadium-s-2923295.php |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Two smaller venues, Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon, and Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California, were chosen to each host several group stage matches and one quarterfinal doubleheader. For the tournament, Civic Stadium was outfitted with a temporary grass field that was laid over its artificial turf surface, which debuted during a warm-up friendly on June 6.{{cite news |last=Haight |first=Abby |date=May 28, 1999 |title=Civic Stadium rolls out green carpet |page=C5 |work=The Oregonian}} Other venues underwent small modifications to host the tournament's matches, including converting American football locker rooms to accommodate more teams and changing the dimensions of the playing field.

Ticket pre-sales at discounted prices began in October 1997 and over 300,000 were sold by April 1999.{{cite book |last=de Varona |first=Donna |author-link1=Donna de Varona |editor-last1=Hong |editor-first1=Fan |editor-last2=Mangan |editor-first2=J.A. |year=2005 |title=Soccer, Women and Sexual Liberation: Kicking Off a New Era |pages=10–13 |publisher=Frank Cass Publishers |location=Portland, Oregon |isbn=978-0-7146-8408-6 |oclc=57478517 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=anEsBgAAQBAJ}} By early June, ticket sales had reached 500,000—setting a new record for a women's sporting event by surpassing the NCAA women's basketball tournament.{{cite news |last=Mullen |first=Liz |date=May 10, 1999 |title=Women's World Cup readies $21 million advertising blitz |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/1999/05/10/No-Topic-Name/Womens-World-Cup-Readies-$21-Million-Advertising-Blitz.aspx |work=Sports Business Journal |access-date=June 30, 2019}} The opening weekend's eight matches were organized into four doubleheaders that attracted a total of 134,236 spectators, surpassing the total attendance for the 1995 World Cup; the United States–Denmark match drew a crowd of 78,972 at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, setting a new U.S. record for attendance at a women's sporting event.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=June 22, 1999 |title=Bigger Crowds Watching Better Play |page=D5 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/22/sports/women-s-world-cup-bigger-crowds-watching-better-play.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512041629/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/22/sports/women-s-world-cup-bigger-crowds-watching-better-play.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} That figure was later surpassed by the final, played between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in front of a crowd of 90,185 spectators—a world record for women's sports.{{cite news |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=July 11, 1999 |title=Sports of The Times; No Goals Scored, Two Champions, A Bright Future |page=B1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/11/sports/sports-of-the-times-no-goals-scored-two-champions-a-bright-future.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512055313/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/11/sports/sports-of-the-times-no-goals-scored-two-champions-a-bright-future.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification}}

File:FIFA Womens World Cup 1999.png

The 1999 Women's World Cup had sixteen participating teams, an increase from the twelve in 1995 and the largest field in the tournament's history.{{cite web |title=1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying Overview |url=http://wwc99.fifa.com/english/competition/qualify.html |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010422120420/http://wwc99.fifa.com/english/competition/qualify.html |archive-date=April 22, 2001 |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Ghana, Mexico, North Korea, and Russia all made their Women's World Cup debuts at the 1999 tournament, with Mexico being the first Spanish-speaking country to qualify while Russia being the first Slavic country to qualify.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=June 18, 1999 |title=A World of Their Own |page=D6 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/18/sports/soccer-a-world-of-their-own.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512063707/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/18/sports/soccer-a-world-of-their-own.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Of the remaining twelve teams, three were returning for their second tournament; nine had participated in all three editions since 1991.{{cite news |date=June 20, 1999 |title=Women's 1999 World Cup Soccer |type=Infographic |page=D4 |work=The Courier-News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31477560/womens_world_cup_teams_article/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}} The tournament's seven best quarter-finalists also qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics alongside hosts Australia.{{cite news |date=June 26, 1999 |title=Front-runners advance at Women's World Cup |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/front-runners-advance-women-world-cup-70920 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512171520/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/front-runners-advance-women-world-cup-70920 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

The United States was granted automatic qualification as the host. The remaining participants were determined through a series of six tournaments run by the continental confederations of world soccer from 1997 to 1998; these comprised 63 countries playing in 141 matches. FIFA allocated six berths to Europe; three to Asia; two to Africa; and one each to North America (excluding the hosts), Oceania, and South America.{{cite news |last1=DeSimone |first1=Bonnie |last2=Hersh |first2=Philip |date=June 18, 1999 |title=Women's World Cup '99: The world is watching |page=4 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32157857/womens_world_cup_99_the_world_is/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 1, 2019}} Another berth (for Mexico) was determined by a play-off series between the second-place finishers in the North and South American tournaments.

The tournament's final draw took place on February 14, 1999, on a temporary outdoor stage at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=February 15, 1999 |title=Unpredictable Draw for U.S. Women |page=D3 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16184624/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_draw_feb/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}} It was televised live by ESPN during the halftime of an exhibition match between the United States women's team and the FIFA Women's World Stars at the stadium.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=February 14, 1999 |title=With Blatter, World Cup Draw Should Be Quite a Show |page=D11 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16185041/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_draw/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}} The United States lost the match 2–1, their first home defeat in more than 40 matches.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=February 15, 1999 |title=World All-Stars Overcome U.S. Home-Turf Advantage |page=D3 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-15-sp-8444-story.html |access-date=May 11, 2019}}

The draw was conducted using four pots of four teams each. The four highest-ranked teams, China, Germany, Norway, and the United States, were seeded into Pot A. The remaining pots were organized based on geographic location, with four European teams in Pot B, South America, Asia, and Oceania represented in Pot C, and North America and Africa in Pot D. The United States was placed in slot A1, separated from Canada and Mexico; similarly, China was separated from Japan and North Korea in the draw.{{cite news |date=February 13, 1999 |title=Procedures for Women's World Cup Final Draw confirmed |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/procedures-for-women-world-cup-final-draw-confirmed-70513 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512023002/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/procedures-for-women-world-cup-final-draw-confirmed-70513 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

As a result of the restrictions in seeding and pot placement, two of the World Cup groups each contained two European teams. Group B was dubbed the "group of death" because it contained non-seeded Brazil, an Olympic semi-finalist, alongside Germany, Italy, and Mexico.{{cite news |date=March 22, 2007 |title=Records crash as USA rejoice |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-women-world-cup-usa-1999-502003 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412090806/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-women-world-cup-usa-1999-502003 |archive-date=April 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Chapin |first=Dwight |date=February 15, 1999 |title=U.S. faces an unfamiliar World |pages=D1, D4 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31479119/us_embarks_into_the_unknown/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}} The teams drawn in Groups C and D were switched to place China's opening match at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, with hopes of attracting the San Francisco Bay Area's Chinese-American community.

{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup squads}}

Each team's squad for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup consisted of 20 players, the same as the 1995 tournament. The sixteen participating national associations were required to confirm their final rosters no later than June 9, 1999.{{cite press release |date=May 17, 1999 |title=DiCicco Announces 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup Team; Six Players will Appear in their Third World Cup Tournament |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/36/dicicco-announces-1999-u-s-womens-world-cup-team-six-players-will-appear-in-their-third-world-cup-to |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512040951/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/36/dicicco-announces-1999-u-s-womens-world-cup-team-six-players-will-appear-in-their-third-world-cup-to |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Three days after the deadline, the full rosters were published by FIFA on their website.{{cite press release |date=May 28, 1999 |title=USA '99: official players' lists to be announced on 12 June |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/usa-official-players-lists-announced-june-70781 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512035447/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/usa-official-players-lists-announced-june-70781 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} Several teams, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, drew much of their roster from U.S. college teams.{{cite news |last=Scoggins |first=Chip |date=June 23, 1999 |title=Soccer puts the World at women's feet |page=1 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-06-23-9906230299-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512035443/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-06-23-9906230299-story.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Meacham |first=Jody |date=June 13, 1999 |title=Canadian conundrum: Its top talent flocks to U.S. for experience |page=S5 |work=The Mercury News}} The oldest player at the tournament was Norwegian captain Linda Medalen, who turned 34 before the opening matchday, while the youngest was 16-year-old Ifeanyi Chiejine of Nigeria.{{cite news |date=June 22, 1999 |title=Tournament draws media masses |page=C6 |work=Asbury Park Press |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31480902/tournament_draws_media_masses_ap_stats/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}}

The 1999 tournament was the first World Cup to feature a pool of 31 referees composed entirely of women—the result of a directive from FIFA president Sepp Blatter approved the year before.{{cite press release |date=November 17, 1998 |title=Women referees only at the 1999 Women's World Cup in the USA |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/women-referees-only-the-1999-women-world-cup-the-usa-70451 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512021217/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/women-referees-only-the-1999-women-world-cup-the-usa-70451 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} They worked in groups during matching and training and were divided between two base facilities in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. to reduce travel.{{harvp|FIFA Technical Study Group|1999|pages=76–77}} Before the tournament, several coaches raised concerns over the quality of the referee pool, particularly those chosen for geographic diversity.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 19, 1999 |title=Blowing the Whistle |page=D10 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16243478/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_referees/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}} By the end of the group stage, several coaches had complained of inconsistent fouls and offside calls. This was blamed in part on the referees being inexperienced with working in front of large crowds.{{cite news |last=Jensen |first=Mike |date=July 3, 1999 |title=All-female refs not getting high marks |page=C2 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31493488/allfemale_refs_not_getting_high_marks/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} In a post-tournament report, FIFA stated that the trial of all-female referees had been successful and that further development would produce better results in future tournaments.{{cite press release |date=October 12, 1999 |title=Match officiating at the Women's World Cup USA'99 |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/match-officiating-the-women-world-cup-usa-71328 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514024208/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/match-officiating-the-women-world-cup-usa-71328 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 13, 2019}}

FIFA published the final list of referees on April 13, 1999.{{cite news |date=April 13, 2019 |title=Match Officials for 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Appointed |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/match-officials-for-1999-fifa-women-world-cup-appointed-70649 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512024258/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/match-officials-for-1999-fifa-women-world-cup-appointed-70649 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} From this list, only Ghanaian assistant referee Juliana Akuteye did not officiate at the tournament. American referee Kari Seitz was selected in June as a replacement for another official who had been denied a travel visa to the United States.{{cite news |last=Cotsonika |first=Nicholas J. |date=July 10, 1999 |title=From Brighton to World Cup |page=B6 |work=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31478460/from_brighton_to_world_cup/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}}{{cite press release |date=June 17, 2019 |title=WWC99: List of referees and assistant referees |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/wwc99-list-referees-and-assistant-referees-70859 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608170637/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/wwc99-list-referees-and-assistant-referees-70859 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=June 12, 2019}}

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The organizing committee for the 1999 tournament was led by chairwoman Donna de Varona, a former Olympian swimmer and co-founder of the Women's Sports Foundation,{{cite news |last=Siegel |first=Laura A. |date=August 4, 1997 |title=US Women's Soccer Goal: Draw Cash and Crowds |page=13 |work=The Christian Science Monitor}}{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=July 9, 1997 |title=This Sport to Soon Say, 'We Got Next' |page=C3 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16186638/1999_fifa_womens_world_cup_logo_and/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}} and president Marla Messing, an attorney and protégé of U.S. soccer president Alan Rothenberg who had helped organize the 1994 men's World Cup in the United States. Headquartered in Century City, California,{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 18, 1999 |title=Woman of the Hour |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-18-sp-47902-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 13, 2019}} it had a $30 million budget for the tournament, a tenth of that for the men's tournament.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=May 20, 1999 |title=1999 Women's World Cup: Beautiful Game Takes Flight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/20/sports/soccer-1999-women-s-world-cup-beautiful-game-takes-flight.html |page=D1 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512002433/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/20/sports/soccer-1999-women-s-world-cup-beautiful-game-takes-flight.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} It was partially funded by a $2.5 million loan from the U.S. Soccer Foundation using profits from the 1994 men's World Cup.{{cite book |last=Williams |first=Jean |author-link=Jean Williams |year=2007 |title=A Beautiful Game: International Perspectives on Women's Football |page=41 |publisher=Berg Publishers |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-84520-675-8 |oclc=717252882}} Messing submitted the committee's business plan for the tournament in September 1998, two days before giving birth.{{cite news |last=Scoggins |first=Chip |date=June 23, 1999 |title=Soccer puts the world at women's feet |page=1 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-06-23-9906230299-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512035443/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-06-23-9906230299-story.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

The event attracted funding from several major corporate sponsors who had previously shied away from women's soccer, including: McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Fujifilm, Gillette, and Allstate; the companies, however, did not promote the tournament through advertising and tie-in campaigns like they did for the 1994 men's World Cup. The tournament's official equipment sponsor was Adidas, who supplied the match balls and other equipment.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Greg |date=June 18, 1999 |title=Sponsors Kick in for Women's Cup |page=C5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-18-fi-47697-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 13, 2019}} A new Women's World Cup Trophy was commissioned for the tournament, designed by William Sawaya of Sawaya & Moroni.{{cite web |date=October 29, 2010 |title=25 facts about the FIFA Women's World Cup |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/womcompwwc/01/32/71/88/fwwc_25facts_final.pdf |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512044752/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/womcompwwc/01/32/71/88/fwwc_25facts_final.pdf |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} It cost $30,000 to design and assemble the {{convert|4.6|kg|lb|adj=mid}} trophy. Following a bureaucratic issue that prevented it from being displayed at the February draw, it was unveiled on April 19, 1999.{{cite web |date=February 7, 2019 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy Tour launches in Paris on 24 February |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-women-s-world-cup-trophy-tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515055526/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-women-s-world-cup-trophy-tour |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 14, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Brewington |first=Peter |date=April 20, 1999 |title=World Cup trophy unveiled |page=C10 |work=USA Today}} FIFA also organized several other business events during the tournament, including the FIFA Women's Football Symposium and an extraordinary session of the FIFA Congress. Both took place in Los Angeles before the final.{{cite news |last=Lieber |first=Jill |date=July 12, 1999 |title=Women's sports take giant leap |page=C1 |work=USA Today}}

Following the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade a few weeks before the tournament, organizers feared the Chinese team would pull out of the World Cup. However, the team played as planned and reached the final, and the presidents of the United States and China exchanged congratulatory messages.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 7, 1999 |title=Politics Aside, for Chinese It's Only 'a Sporting Thing' |page=D5 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/07/sports/women-s-world-cup-politics-aside-for-chinese-it-s-only-a-sporting-thing.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512164523/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/07/sports/women-s-world-cup-politics-aside-for-chinese-it-s-only-a-sporting-thing.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Farley |first=Maggie |date=July 15, 1999 |title=Crossing the line |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-15-sp-56288-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=June 14, 2019}} The closing of the U.S. embassy in Beijing also affected the visa process for the North Korean team and staff, as the country did not have formal diplomatic relations with the U.S., but their visas were approved in time for the tournament.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=June 7, 1999 |title=For North Koreans, Paradise and Lunch |page=D6 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/07/sports/soccer-for-north-koreans-paradise-and-lunch.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512164536/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/07/sports/soccer-for-north-koreans-paradise-and-lunch.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

All 32 matches were televised in the United States on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, of which 26 were live broadcasts and six were tape delayed.{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=January 16, 1998 |title=ABC and ESPN to Show Women's World Cup |page=C5 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/soccer-abc-and-espn-to-show-women-s-world-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131151811/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/sports/soccer-abc-and-espn-to-show-women-s-world-cup.html |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=February 11, 1999 |title=Women's World Cup '99: Schedule and pairings set in preparation for Feb. 14 draw |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/21201/womens-world-cup-99-schedule-and-pairings-set-i.html |work=Soccer America |url-access=subscription |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009141202/https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/21201/womens-world-cup-99-schedule-and-pairings-set-i.html |url-status=dead }} The network also carried some matches in 70 other countries on its affiliated channels. Lifetime Television produced several documentaries and special programs for the World Cup. Eurosport broadcast most matches live across 55 countries, while local broadcasters in several countries also carried matches.{{cite news |date=May 15, 1999 |title=Women's football comes home |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/women-football-comes-home-71338 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512024058/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/women-football-comes-home-71338 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the largest women's professional sports league in the country, rescheduled several games to avoid clashing with World Cup fixtures. It also cross-promoted the tournament during its television broadcasts.{{harvp|Williams|2007|page=44}} Over 2,000 accredited journalists covered the event, including 950 writers, 410 photographers, and 600 broadcast personnel.{{cite news |date=June 17, 1999 |title=WWC99: Media accreditation approaches the 2,000 mark |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/wwc99-media-accreditation-approaches-the-000-mark-70854 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512062808/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/wwc99-media-accreditation-approaches-the-000-mark-70854 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} Several major newspapers in the United States sent reporters to cover matches, with credentialed staff growing in number as the tournament went on, while others declined to produce content beyond wire reports.{{harvp|Longman|2000|page=28}}

The official slogan of the tournament was "This is my game. This is my future. Watch me play." It was unveiled alongside the logo and branding in July 1997.{{cite news |last=Campbell |first=Duncan |date=July 6, 1999 |title=America's better half |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/jul/06/newsstory.sport |work=The Guardian |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507215613/http://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/jul/06/newsstory.sport |archive-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=live}} Tickets were marketed primarily to young girls and their fathers, rather than the stereotypical "soccer mom", and sold out quickly.{{harvp|Murray|2019|page=52}} The organizing committee sponsored and arranged training camps and other events for youth soccer players in host cities. Some of these included appearances by members of the United States team to advertise the tournament and invite players and their families to attend matches.{{harvp|Murray|2019|pages=28–29}} Boy band 'N Sync and pop performers B*Witched and Billie performed at the opening ceremony for the Women's World Cup at Giants Stadium;{{cite news |last=Mayo |first=Michael |date=June 20, 1999 |title=It's the kids who rule World Cup |page=C1 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1999-06-20-9906210275-story.html |work=Sun Sentinel |access-date=May 13, 2019}} Billie's single "Because We Want To" was chosen as the tournament's official song.{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=April 20, 1999 |title=Women's World Cup: A Trophy, A Song, Let's Play |page=D4 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/20/sports/soccer-notebook-women-s-world-cup-a-trophy-a-song-let-s-play.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2019}} Jennifer Lopez performed at the closing ceremony before the final, where she also recorded an official music video for her single "Let's Get Loud".{{cite news |date=July 11, 1999 |title=Akers again inspires teammates |page=D5 |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31482361/akers_again_inspires_teammates/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Priscilla |date=June 12, 2014 |title=On the 6: 15 Years of J.Lo's Best Hits! |url=http://www.latina.com/6-15-years-jlo%E2%80%99s-best-hits |work=Latina |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109123424/http://www.latina.com/6-15-years-jlo%E2%80%99s-best-hits |archive-date=January 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}

The sixteen participating teams were organized into four groups, labeled A to D, by the final draw on February 14, 1999. The group stage consisted of 24 matches played in a round-robin format, in which each team played one match against the other three in their group.{{cite news |last=Cotsonika |first=Nicholas J. |date=June 19, 1999 |title=U.S. women ready for tournament challenge |page=D10 |work=Dayton Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31492963/us_women_ready_for_tournament/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a defeat.{{cite news |last=Ward |first=Bill |date=June 13, 1999 |title=Women enjoying attention |page=6 |work=The Tampa Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31492456/women_enjoying_attention_wwc_preview/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} The winners and runners-up from each group qualified for the first round of the knockout stage, which began with the quarter-finals on June 30, 1999.

{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group A}}

File:Lilly356.jpg (left) and Mia Hamm (right) both scored goals in the first two group stage matches for the United States|alt=Soccer players Kristine Lilly and Mia Hamm standing over a ball while preparing to take a free kick.]]

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group A|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Hosts and 1991 champions United States were placed in Group A alongside Denmark, who were undefeated in European qualification, Nigeria, champions of the African qualifying competition, and North Korea in their World Cup debut. The United States defeated Denmark 3–0 in the opening match, played on June 19 in front of a record 78,972 at Giants Stadium, with goals scored by Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Kristine Lilly.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=June 20, 1999 |title=Hamm Handles Hype and Americans' High Hopes |page=B1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/20/sports/women-s-world-cup-hamm-handles-hype-and-americans-high-hopes.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512191353/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/20/sports/women-s-world-cup-hamm-handles-hype-and-americans-high-hopes.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} The following day at the Rose Bowl, North Korea lost 2–1 to Nigeria by conceding goals to Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike in the second half.{{cite news |date=June 21, 1999 |title=Champ Norway opens with win |page=D8 |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31495915/champ_norway_opens_with_win/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

The United States hosted Nigeria at Chicago's Soldier Field for their second match. They fell behind in the second minute by conceding a goal to Nkiru Okosieme after a defensive mistake. The Americans rallied and found an equalizer in the form of an own goal scored by Ifeanyi Chiejine in the 19th minute. This initiated a 23-minute period where the home side scored six goals on their way to a 7–1 victory.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 25, 1999 |title=U.S. Turns on Light |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-25-sp-50129-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512193846/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-25-sp-50129-story.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Shipley |first=Amy |date=June 25, 1999 |title=A U.S. Tidal Wave Sinks Nigeria, 7–1 |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cup25.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821161847/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cup25.htm |archive-date=August 21, 2008 |url-status=live}} North Korea earned an upset victory over Denmark in Portland, winning 3–1 with two first-half goals and another in the 73rd minute before a consolation goal by the Danes.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=June 25, 1999 |title=N. Korea's Victory Is Very Revealing |page=D9 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31496479/n_koreas_victory_is_very_revealing/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} The North Korean victory denied the United States an instant berth in the quarter-finals. It also preserved the chances for all four teams in the group to finish in the top two places and qualify for the knockout stage.

Nigeria became the first African team to advance to the quarter-finals of a Women's World Cup with a 2–0 defeat of Denmark in their final group stage match. Nigeria's Super Falcons took the lead with a goal by Mercy Akide in the first half and added a second by Okosieme in the 81st minute, while Denmark had a goal disallowed and was unable to finish its chances.{{cite news |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Germany gives up late goal, will now face U.S. earlier |page=C3 |work=Austin American-Statesman |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31497662/germany_gives_up_late_goal_will_now/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} The United States rested several of its starting players for its final group stage match against North Korea, but finished with a 3–0 victory with a goal from reserve striker Shannon MacMillan and another two scored by midfielder Tisha Venturini in the second half.{{cite news |last=Huebner |first=Barbara |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Stars leaping off the bench |page=D9 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31497790/stars_leaping_off_the_bench/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} The Americans finished first in Group A, with nine points, followed by Nigeria with six.{{cite news |last=Shipley |first=Amy |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Reserves Jump-Start U.S. to World Cup Win, 3–0 |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cup28.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512194853/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cup28.htm |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}

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{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group B}}

File:Pretinha.jpg scored a hat-trick in Brazil's opening match against Mexico|alt=Soccer player Pretinha pictured holding the Pan-American Games torch]]

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group B|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group B, dubbed the tournament's "group of death", included 1995 runners-up Germany, Olympic semi-finalists Brazil, 1991 quarter-finalist Italy, and newcomers Mexico. Brazil opened the group stage with a 7–1 blowout win over Mexico at Giants Stadium, scoring the final six goals of the match after it was tied at 1–1 ten minutes in. Forward Pretinha and midfielder Sissi both scored hat-tricks, the former's completed in stoppage time and the latter in the 50th minute. Kátia scored from a penalty kick before half-time.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 20, 1999 |title=Mexico Kicked into Dreamland |page=D15 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31499021/mexico_kicked_into_dreamland/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Italy and Germany played to a 1–1 draw the following day at the Rose Bowl, avoiding an upset for the Italians with a penalty kick scored by Bettina Wiegmann in the 61st minute to level the match.{{cite news |last=Norwood |first=Robyn |date=June 21, 1999 |title=Germany Avoids Disaster |page=D10 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31499771/germany_avoids_disaster/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

Sissi scored twice for Brazil in their second match, a 2–0 victory against Italy in Chicago, earning the team a quarter-finals berth.{{cite news |last=Scoggins |first=Chip |date=June 25, 1999 |title=Sissi puts right foot forward |page=10 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31500039/sissi_puts_right_foot_forward/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Mexico was eliminated from the group in a 6–0 loss to Germany in Portland, having been outshot 43–2 and unable to force a save from German goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg until the 89th minute. Inka Grings scored a hat-trick for the Germans, including the opening and closing goals of the match, while her teammates Sandra Smisek, Ariane Hingst, and Renate Lingor each scored one goal.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=June 25, 1999 |title=Mexico Is Overwhelmed by Germany, 6–0 |page=D9 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31501647/mexico_is_overwhelmed_by_germany_60/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

Brazil and Germany played on the final matchday for first place in Group B, as the second-place team would be drawn against the United States in the quarter-finals. After conceding to Germany's Birgit Prinz in the eighth minute, Brazil rallied from behind and took a 2–1 lead by the end of the first half on goals by Kátia and Sissi. A penalty kick, awarded to Germany in the first minute of the second half after Prinz was fouled in the box, was converted by Wiegmann to tie the match at 2–2. The Germans then took the lead on a deflected shot by Steffi Jones, but a last-minute header from substitute forward Maycon in stoppage time tied the match at 3–3. Brazil finished atop the group and would play Nigeria in the quarter-finals, while Germany advanced as the second-placed team to face the United States.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Brazil Draws Excitement From Tie Vs. Germany |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupcooke28.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512215659/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupcooke28.htm |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Warren |first=James |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Tie costly for Germans |page=7 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31502401/tie_costly_for_germans/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Italy, who were already eliminated by the Brazil–Germany draw, defeated Mexico 2–0 at Foxboro Stadium to finish the tournament with a 1–1–1 record.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Michael |date=June 28, 1999 |title=Italy fends off Mexico |page=D9 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31502436/italy_fends_off_mexico/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

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{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C}}

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group C|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Reigning World Cup champions Norway were seeded into Group C, which also had 1995 quarter-finalists Japan, North American qualification champions Canada, and newcomers Russia, who qualified through the European play-offs. Canada took the lead in the 32nd minute of its opening match against Japan, played at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, but conceded to Japanese forward Nami Otake in the 64th minute and ended the match with a 1–1 draw.{{cite news |last=Hunter |first=Stuart |date=June 20, 1999 |title=Canada opens with a tie |page=A83 |work=The Province |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31508189/canada_opens_with_a_tie/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Norway began its defense of the World Cup title in Massachusetts with a 2–1 win over the debuting Russians, with a goal by Brit Sandaune off a 28th-minute corner kick taken by Marianne Pettersen, who scored in the 68th minute and took nine more shots; Galina Komarova scored a consolation goal for Russia in the 78th minute, one of just two shots on goal for the team during the entire match.{{cite news |last=Bickelhaupt |first=Susan |date=June 21, 1999 |title=Norway kicks off defense on right foot |page=D9 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31508350/norway_kicks_off_defense_on_right_foot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

At Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington, D.C., Norway became the first team to secure a place in the quarter-finals by winning 7–1 in a rout of Canada. Canada had tied the match at 1–1 with a goal in the 31st minute by Charmaine Hooper, but Norwegian forward Ann Kristin Aarønes, who had scored the first goal in the eighth minute, restored her team's lead with a header in the 36th minute.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Norway Is Picture Perfect |page=D4 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31508522/norway_is_picture_perfect/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Five Norwegian players scored in the second half, equaling the seven goals they scored against Canada in the first round of the 1995 tournament.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Norway Trounces Canada; Sweden Tops Australia |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupcooke24.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513012222/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupcooke24.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |url-status=live}} Four days after their defeat to Norway, the Russians earned their first World Cup win by defeating Japan 5–0 at Portland's Civic Stadium. The team scored four goals in the second half, including two by Olga Letyushova and three throughout the match that were assisted by captain Irina Grigorieva.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Russia Finds Firmer Footing, 5–0 |page=D4 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31509006/russia_finds_firmer_footing_50/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

Russia qualified for the quarter-finals with a 4–1 victory over Canada at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, finishing in second place with six points. Grigorieva scored Russia's first goal in the 54th minute and assisted on their second, the first of two goals scored by Elena Fomina; Canada had reduced the deficit to 2–1 with a goal by Charmaine Hooper in the 76th minute, but Fomina's second in the 86th minute and a stoppage time goal from Olga Karasseva finished off the match.{{cite news |last=Warren |first=James |date=June 27, 1999 |title=Smooth exit for Canada |page=5 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31509880/smooth_exit_for_canada/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Norway finished unbeaten in the group stage by defeating Japan 4–0 at Soldier Field on June 26, benefiting from an early penalty kick and an own goal that were both conceded by Hiromi Isozaki; Isozaki fouled Monica Knudsen in the box in the seventh minute, leading to a penalty converted by Hege Riise a minute later, and misplayed a cross by Unni Lehn into her own goal in the 26th minute. The Norwegian team lost captain Linda Medalen and forward Ann Kristin Aarønes to injuries in the first half, but not before the latter had scored the team's third goal. The final goal of the match was scored in the 61st minute by Dagny Mellgren, who headed in a cross produced by Lehn.{{cite news |last=Trecker |first=Jamie |date=June 27, 1999 |title=Norway Loses Players, but Gains 4–0 Victory |page=D6 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupmwest27.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119012004/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupmwest27.htm |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |url-status=live}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C1}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C2}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C3}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C5}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group C|C6}}

{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D}}

File:Alicia Ferguson.jpg was sent off with a red card in the second minute of Australia's match against China, the fastest in tournament history|alt=Soccer player Alicia Ferguson, wearing a yellow kit, prepares to control a ball during a match.]]

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup group tables|Group D|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

Group D included 1995 semi-finalists and Olympic runners-up China, 1995's last-place team Australia, newcomers and African tournament runners-up Ghana, and previous hosts and semi-finalists Sweden.{{cite news |last=Starnes |first=Richard |date=June 19, 1999 |title=Ready to kick up their heels |page=F3 |work=The Ottawa Citizen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31510906/ready_to_kick_up_their_heels/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} In their opening match against Sweden at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, China conceded an early goal in the second minute to Swedish defender Kristin Bengtsson. Forward Jin Yan scored the equalizer for China in the 17th minute and Liu Ailing scored the winning goal in the 69th minute.{{cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=June 20, 1999 |title=China struggles, defeats Sweden |page=D1 |work=The Mercury News}} Australia and Ghana played to a 1–1 draw at Foxboro Stadium in the group's other opening match a day later, which began with a red card shown to Ghanaian midfielder Barikisu Tettey-Quao in the 25th minute.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 21, 1999 |title=Ghana's Sulemana Ties Up Australia |page=B8 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31511931/ghanas_sulemana_ties_up_australia/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Ghanaian goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana made 11 saves to keep the match scoreless until the 74th minute, when Matildas captain Julie Murray scored to break the deadlock. Ghana equalized less than two minutes later with a finish by substitute Nana Gyamfuah following a rebound off Australian goalkeeper Tracey Wheeler's save, securing a point in the group standings.{{cite news |last=Lessels |first=Allen |date=June 21, 1999 |title=A waltz with the Matildas |page=D10 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31511799/a_waltz_with_the_matildas/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

Sweden took an early lead in its second match, played against Australia at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington, D.C., with a header in the eighth minute by Jane Törnqvist off a corner kick and a tap-in goal by Hanna Ljungberg twelve minutes later. Julie Murray's goal in the 32nd minute reduced the deficit to 2–1 at half-time, but Ljungberg scored again in the 69th minute because of a defensive error by Australia, confirming a 3–1 victory for the Swedes.{{cite news |last=Cockerill |first=Michael |date=June 25, 1999 |title=Swedes show Matildas the approaching exit |page=35 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31512539/swedes_show_matildas_the_approaching/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Sun Wen completed a hat-trick in the first 54 minutes of China's match against Ghana, which ended in a 7–0 victory at Portland's Civic Stadium and clinched the team's quarter-finals berth. Ghana lost defender Regina Ansah to a red card in the 52nd minute and three of her teammates earned three yellow cards for other fouls. The Chinese continued to score in the second half, including a pair by Zhang Ouying in the 82nd minute and at the beginning of stoppage time, while Zhao Lihong added another stoppage time goal a minute later.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=June 24, 1999 |title=Hats Off to Sun Wen in China Rout |page=D4 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31513411/hats_off_to_sun_wen_in_china_rout/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Mahoney |first=Ridge |date=June 23, 1999 |title=Russia, China Roll Toward Quarterfinal Clash |page=D5 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupwest24.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119012028/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupwest24.htm |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |url-status=live}}

China closed out its group stage by defeating Australia 3–1, extending its winning streak to three matches and outscoring its opponents 12–2. Australian forward Alicia Ferguson was sent off for a foul in the second minute, which remains the fastest red card in Women's World Cup history.{{cite web |author=FIFA Communications & Public Affairs Division |date=April 16, 2015 |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Statistical Kit: Milestones & Superlatives – Event edition |pages=9–11, 15 |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/187ea18d88a65582/original/yvskwbegs6yswdkkk6dc-pdf.pdf |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Sun Wen scored her first goal in the 39th minute and followed with a second shortly after half-time, having received passes from Zhao Lihong for both goals. Cheryl Salisbury reduced the deficit to 2–1 with her strike in the 66th minute, ending a 253-minute shutout streak for Chinese goalkeeper Gao Hong. The Chinese ultimately won 3–1 after an assurance goal was scored by Liu Ying in the 73rd minute.{{cite news |last=Yannis |first=Alex |date=June 27, 1999 |title=China Bests Australia, And Russia Advances |page=B8 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/27/sports/women-s-world-cup-china-bests-australia-and-russia-advances.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513041220/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/27/sports/women-s-world-cup-china-bests-australia-and-russia-advances.html |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=June 27, 1999 |title=Aussies ejected, dejected |page=C6 |work=St. Petersburg Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31515104/aussies_ejected_dejected/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Sweden advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2–0 victory over Ghana in Chicago, relying on two goals scored by early substitute Victoria Svensson in the 58th and 86th minutes.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=June 27, 1999 |title=Substitute Is Spark for Swedes |page=D4 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31515185/substitute_is_spark_for_swedes/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D1}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D3}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D5}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Group D|D6}}

{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage}}

The knockout stage of the Women's World Cup consisted of three single-elimination rounds leading to a final and a third-place playoff. Following a tie in regulation time, two 15-minute periods of extra time would be used to determine a winner. For the first time in Women's World Cup history, the golden goal would be used during extra time to instantly decide the winner in sudden death.{{cite news |date=June 16, 1999 |title=Golden Goal to be used for the first time at the Women's World Cup |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/golden-goal-used-for-the-first-time-the-women-world-cup-70845 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512024031/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/golden-goal-used-for-the-first-time-the-women-world-cup-70845 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} If the score remained tied at the end of extra time, a penalty shootout would ensue.{{cite news |last=Phillips |first=Troy |date=June 19, 1999 |title=The Basics: FIFA Women's World Cup U.S.A. '99 |page=13 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram}}{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=July 11, 1999 |title=Brazil Earns Consolation Over Norway in Shootout |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupthird11.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305055334/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupthird11.htm |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|Bracket}}

The first match of a quarterfinals doubleheader at Spartan Stadium in San Jose featured China and Russia, the only team to debut at the tournament and also advance to the knockout stage.{{cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=June 27, 1999 |title=Russia defeats Canada; China match in S.J. is up next for victors |page=D8 |work=The Mercury News}} China advanced with a 2–0 victory over Russia, with goals by Pu Wei and Jin Yan, while their opponents did not manage a shot towards goal until stoppage time.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=July 1, 1999 |title=For Chinese, 2–0 Victory Is No Sweat |page=D7 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31516773/for_chinese_20_victory_is_no_sweat/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} The second match of the doubleheader, between neighboring rivals Norway and Sweden, began with a scoreless first half and ended with four goals scored in the second half for a 3–1 Norwegian win. Norway opened the scoring with a header by Ann Kristin Aarønes in the 51st minute, which was followed by a goal from Marianne Pettersen in the 58th minute and a penalty scored by Hege Riise in the 72nd minute; Sweden scored a consolation goal by way of a run and shot from Malin Moström in the 90th minute.{{cite news |last=Meacham |first=Jody |date=July 1, 1999 |title=Norway knocks Sweden aside 3–1 |page=D1 |work=The Mercury News}}{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=July 1, 1999 |title=Norway Warms Up in the Second Half |page=D7 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31517009/norway_warms_up_in_the_second_half/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

The next doubleheader, at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington, D.C., began with a match between the United States and Germany played in front of 54,642, including U.S. President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton.{{cite news |last=Gildea |first=William |date=July 2, 1999 |title=U.S. Women Play to the Crowd |page=A1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupcooke2.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830032726/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupcooke2.htm |archive-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live}} U.S. defender Brandi Chastain scored an own goal in the fifth minute after a miscommunication with goalkeeper Briana Scurry, but the Americans found an equalizing goal eleven minutes later from Tiffeny Milbrett.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 2, 1999 |title=Resilient Americans Advance to Semifinals |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/02/sports/women-s-world-cup-resilient-americans-advance-to-semifinals.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513062950/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/02/sports/women-s-world-cup-resilient-americans-advance-to-semifinals.html |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |url-status=live}} Germany retook the lead in first-half stoppage time on a strike by Bettina Wiegmann that beat Scurry from {{convert|22|yd|m}}. Chastain redeemed herself by scoring the second equalizing goal for the U.S. in the 49th minute, finishing a corner kick that was taken by Mia Hamm.{{cite news |last=Shipley |first=Amy |date=July 2, 1999 |title=U.S. Manages to Hold Its Own |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupusb2.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119012440/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupusb2.htm |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |url-status=live}} Defender Joy Fawcett's header off a corner kick in the 66th minute proved to be the game-winning goal, allowing the United States to advance with a 3–2 defeat of the Germans.

The second match at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, featuring Brazil and Nigeria, was the first in FIFA Women's World Cup history to be decided by a golden goal in extra time.{{cite news |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Sissi's golden goal |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/sissi-goal-3023324 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512175206/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/sissi-goal-3023324 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Cidinha scored twice in the first 22 minutes of the match and was joined by Nenê in the 35th minute to give Brazil a 3–0 lead at half-time. Nigeria substituted goalkeeper Ann Chiejine for Judith Chime and began pressing its attackers early in the second half. The Super Falcons scored their first goal in the 63rd minute, Prisca Emeafu taking advantage of a defensive mistake, and added a second through Nkiru Okosieme's shot off a rebound in the 72nd minute. Nkechi Egbe scored the equalizing goal for Nigeria in the 85th minute with a far-post strike from {{convert|14|yd|m}}. The goal forced sudden death extra time, which Nigeria would play with only 10 players after forward Patience Avre was ejected in the 87th minute for receiving a second yellow card.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=July 2, 1999 |title=Brazil Gets a Scare Before Advancing, 4–3 |page=D10 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31517395/brazil_gets_a_scare_before_advancing/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}} Brazilian midfielder Sissi, who had assisted two of the first-half goals, scored the golden goal from {{convert|22|yd|m}} in the 104th minute to win the match 4–3 for Brazil.{{cite news |last=White |first=Joseph |date=July 2, 1999 |title=Sissi's goal puts Brazil in semis |page=E8 |work=The Boston Globe |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31517370/sissis_goal_puts_brazil_in_semis/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}

The top seven quarterfinalists also qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics alongside hosts Australia, who were eliminated in the group stage. The Olympics qualification was determined by a series of tiebreakers, beginning with the margin of defeat in the quarterfinal match, followed by goals scored in the quarterfinal and group stage performance.{{cite news |date=June 19, 1999 |title=Qualification for the Sydney 2000 Women's Football Tournament |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/qualification-for-the-sydney-2000-women-football-tournament-70872 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512024410/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/qualification-for-the-sydney-2000-women-football-tournament-70872 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} Although Russia and Sweden both lost by two goals, the Swedes had scored in their defeat while Russia did not, leaving them as the only quarterfinalist to not qualify for the Olympics.{{cite news |date=July 2, 1999 |title=Brazilians advance 4–3 in OT |page=C3 |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31516751/brazilians_advance_43_in_ot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 12, 2019}}{{cite news |date=July 2, 1999 |title=Roundup: Russian plan backfires |page=D7 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32569679/soccers_a_sissi_game_roundup/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 8, 2019}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF1}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF3}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|QF4}}

The semifinals played on U.S. Independence Day were organized as doubleheaders with the host Major League Soccer teams, the New England Revolution and the San Jose Clash. Both teams played regular season matches afterwards against the MetroStars and D.C. United, respectively.{{cite news |last=Springer |first=Shira |date=July 6, 1999 |title=It all worked out at Foxboro Stadium |page=D6 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31535869/it_all_worked_out_at_foxboro_stadium/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Wendy |date=July 4, 1999 |title=Fans to hamper, help favored U.S. |page=D4 |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31539479/fans_to_hamper_help_favored_us/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}} The United States faced Brazil at Stanford Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area in front of 73,123 spectators. The U.S. began the match with an early lead, following a mistimed catch from Brazilian goalkeeper Maravilha that allowed Cindy Parlow to score from a header in the fifth minute. Brazil responded with several shots in the second half that required goalkeeper Briana Scurry to make three major saves to preserve the lead.{{cite news |last=Shipley |first=Amy |date=July 5, 1999 |title=U.S. Advances to Women's World Cup Soccer Final |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupwest5.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119013639/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupwest5.htm |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |url-status=live}} On a counterattack in the 80th minute, U.S. striker Mia Hamm drew a penalty kick on a foul from Brazilian captain Elane. Veteran midfielder Michelle Akers, who had stayed on despite two serious head collisions, converted the penalty kick to give the United States a 2–0 victory.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=July 5, 1999 |title=U.S. Pulls Out All the Stops and Earns a Berth in Final |page=D1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-05-sp-53184-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 13, 2019}}

In the second semifinal, played before 28,986 attendees at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts, China defeated reigning champions Norway in a 5–0 rout that matched the team's worst-ever margin of defeat.{{cite news |last=Elliott |first=Helene |date=July 5, 1999 |title=China Has No Trouble With Norway |page=D8 |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31540432/china_has_no_trouble_with_norway/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}} Sun Wen opened the scoring in the third minute, with a rebounded shot off a save by goalkeeper Bente Nordby. This was followed by a right-footed volley by Liu Ailing eleven minutes later off a corner kick, increasing the team's lead to 2–0. Liu scored her second goal in the 51st minute, hitting a left-footed volley from {{convert|15|yd|m}}, and Fan Yunjie scored China's fourth goal in the 65th minute with another volley off a free kick taken by Sun.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=July 5, 1999 |title=China Speeds into Final |page=D4 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupeast5.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000831025716/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupeast5.htm |archive-date=August 31, 2000 |url-status=live}} China was awarded a penalty kick in the 72nd minute for a handball in the Norwegian box. Sun converted it, scoring her seventh goal of the tournament to tie Sissi as the leading goalscorer.

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|SF1}}

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{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|SF2}}

The third-place playoff, contested by Norway and Brazil, was the first part of a doubleheader with the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena kicking off in the morning.{{cite news |last=Dillman |first=Lisa |date=July 11, 1999 |title=Brazil Takes a Shortcut to Third |page=B6 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-11-sp-55079-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512043249/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-11-sp-55079-story.html |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=live}} Norway had the majority of chances to score during the match, but Maravilha saved all of their shots to preserve her shutout. Pretinha had two chances to score for Brazil and take the lead, but they were denied by Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby late in the second half.{{cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=July 11, 1999 |title=Brazil sees 3rd-place finish as 'huge step' |page=D8 |work=The Mercury News}} After remaining scoreless through regulation time and stoppage time, the match advanced straight into a penalty shootout; the standard golden goal extra time was skipped due to the constraints of television scheduling ahead of the final. Pretinha missed the opening penalty for Brazil, but the remaining five taken by her teammates were all converted; Norway lost its lead in the shootout with a miss in the third round by Silje Jørgensen, and the shootout ended 5–4 in Brazil's favor after the sixth round following a miss by Ann Kristin Aarønes and a successful shot by Formiga.

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage|TPP}}

{{Main|1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final}}

File:Brandi Chastain ESPNWeekend2010-094 (cropped).jpg scored the winning penalty in the final|alt=Brandi Chastain holding a microphone with an ESPN logo]]

The 1999 final at the Rose Bowl was played in front of 90,185 spectators, claimed to be a world record for a women's sports event,{{cite news |last=Gildea |first=William |date=July 11, 1999 |title=U.S. Effort Nets Second World Cup Title |page=A1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cup11.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415115539/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cup11.htm |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |url-status=live}} while its U.S. television broadcast averaged 17.9 million viewers and peaked at 40 million.{{cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Women's World Cup Final Was Most-Watched Soccer Game in United States History |page=B8 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/07/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-final-was-most-watched-soccer-game-in-united-states-history.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404214756/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/07/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-final-was-most-watched-soccer-game-in-united-states-history.html |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |url-status=live}} The two finalists, the United States and China, had previously met in the gold medal match at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, which the U.S. won 2–1. With several unsuccessful attempts at the goal made by the hosts, the match was scoreless after regulation time and moved into extra time. China shot twice towards the U.S. goal in extra time, but saves by midfielder Kristine Lilly and goalkeeper Briana Scurry preserved the tie until the end of extra time.{{cite news |last=Shipley |first=Amy |date=July 11, 1999 |title=Chastain, Scurry Are Big Stars in Shootout |page=D1 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupfinal11.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406092331/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/soccer/longterm/worldcup99/articles/cupfinal11.htm |archive-date=April 6, 2016 |url-status=live}}

In the ensuing penalty shootout, the first four players scored on their shots before Liu Ying had her attempt in the third round saved by Scurry. Scurry was accused of cheating by multiple media outlets because she had intentionally stepped ahead of the goal line before saving Liu's shot, but stated that "everybody does it".{{cite news |last=Vecesy |first=George |date=August 8, 1999 |title=Backtalk: When Is It Gamesmanship, and When Is It Cheating? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/08/sports/backtalk-when-is-it-gamesmanship-and-when-is-it-cheating.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 14, 2019}} Lilly and Mia Hamm successfully converted their penalties and gave the Americans a lead, but Zhang Ouying and Sun Wen were able to convert theirs and keep it tied 4–4.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Grahame L. |date=July 11, 1999 |title=U.S. Women Recapture the World Cup |page=B1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-11-sp-55047-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 13, 2019}} Brandi Chastain, who had missed a penalty kick in the Algarve Cup against the Chinese months earlier, beat goalkeeper Gao Hong and won the shootout 5–4 for the United States.{{cite book |last=Lisi |first=Clemente A. |year=2010 |title=The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story |url=https://archive.org/details/uswomenssoccerte0000lisi |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/uswomenssoccerte0000lisi/page/66 66–68] |publisher=Scarecrow Press |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-0-8108-7415-2 |oclc=1030358776}} Chastain celebrated by removing her jersey and revealing her sports bra underneath, creating one of the most iconic moments in women's sports history as it appeared on the covers of major magazines and newspapers.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 5, 2003 |title=The Sports Bra Seen Round the World |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/05/sports/soccer-the-sports-bra-seen-round-the-world.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401023316/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/05/sports/soccer-the-sports-bra-seen-round-the-world.html |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Gee |first=Alison |date=July 13, 2014 |title=Why Women's World Cup champion Brandi Chastain bared her bra |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27189681 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331065448/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27189681 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=July 14, 2009 |title=Big event, wide ripples |page=6 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-07-14-0907130552-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 13, 2019}}

{{#lst:1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final|Final}}

The 1999 Women's World Cup is regarded as a watershed moment in the history of U.S. women's soccer because of its cultural impact and the great public interest it generated.{{cite news |last=Armour |first=Nancy |date=July 15, 2011 |title=Soccer squad grabs nation's attention like it did in 1999 |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Soccer-squad-grabs-nation-s-attention-like-it-did-2079023.php |work=Houston Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Stone |first=Larry |date=July 4, 2015 |title=Women's World Cup final is latest ripple from America's 1999 soccer splash |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/world-cup/womens-world-cup-final-is-latest-ripple-from-americas-1999-soccer-splash/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217144417/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/world-cup/womens-world-cup-final-is-latest-ripple-from-americas-1999-soccer-splash/ |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |url-status=live}} It had a total attendance of 1.194 million spectators and averaged 37,319 per match. This remained the highest total attendance for any Women's World Cup until 2015, which had more matches. The tournament's merchandise sales and television ratings were especially high in the U.S., including several matches that set record for ESPN and ESPN2.{{cite news |date=July 12, 1999 |title=Women's soccer final sets ratings record |page=C2 |work=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31551013/media_watch_womens_soccer_final_sets/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 14, 2019}}{{cite news |date=June 30, 1999 |title=World Cup is raking in the dough |page=B4 |work=The Capital Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33411347/world_cup_is_raking_in_the_dough/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 30, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Zulgad |first=Judd |date=July 9, 1999 |title=World Cup commitment proves to be a success |page=C4 |work=Star-Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31551022/world_cup_commitment_proves_to_be_a/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 14, 2019}} The final held the record for the largest domestic television audience for a soccer match until the 2014 men's World Cup.{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=June 23, 2014 |title=Bigger Than Baseball: 25 Million Watch U.S.-Portugal World Cup Match |page=B14 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/business/media/bigger-than-baseball-us-portugal-world-cup-match-outdoes-world-series-in-ratings.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118122850/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/business/media/bigger-than-baseball-us-portugal-world-cup-match-outdoes-world-series-in-ratings.html |archive-date=November 18, 2018 |url-status=live}} The organizing committee reported an estimated profit of $4 million on its $30 million operating budget, making the tournament a financial success.{{cite news |last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=May 5, 2003 |title=Deal to host Women's World Cup could be struck soon |page=7 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31550317/deal_to_host_womens_world_cup_could_be/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}}

The United States became the first team to win two Women's World Cups as well as the first to simultaneously hold the World Cup and Olympic titles. The team, nicknamed the "99ers" and regarded as the best to have been produced by the U.S. women's soccer program,{{cite news |last=Howard |first=Johnette |date=June 23, 2011 |title=Twelve years later, still the best |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/commentary/news/story?page=howard-110623 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Christine |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Don't compare this U.S. women's national team to 1999 championship squad |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2015/07/01/uswnt-womens-world-cup-final-1999-soccer/29590501/ |work=USA Today |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425103125/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2015/07/01/uswnt-womens-world-cup-final-1999-soccer/29590501/ |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |url-status=live}} became instant celebrities and appeared on late-night talk shows and news programs.{{cite news |last=Penner |first=Mike |date=July 9, 1999 |title='It's a Sight to See' |page=A1 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-09-mn-54298-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 14, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Killion |first=Ann |date=July 3, 2009 |title=A strong legacy: Women's World Cup win, 10 years on |page=A1 |work=The Mercury News}}{{cite news |last=Brennan |first=Christine |date=July 2, 2009 |title=Women's progress flows from '99 Cup |page=C3 |work=USA Today}} The team went on a months-long victory tour following the final, which was originally self-organized due to a pay dispute with the United States Soccer Federation. They appeared in national advertising campaigns for several major companies.{{harvp|Murray|2019|pages=59–63}} Although the team finished as silver medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics behind Norway, the U.S. team would go on to win gold medals at the three subsequent Olympics.{{cite news |last=French |first=Scott |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Remember When? USWNT's silver medal in 2000 – its only Olympic failure yet |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/remember-when-uswnt-silver-medal-2000-olympics-sydney |work=FourFourTwo |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811054918/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/remember-when-uswnt-silver-medal-2000-olympics-sydney |archive-date=August 11, 2017 |url-status=live}} The United States finished third at the next two editions of the Women's World Cup and as runners-up to Japan in 2011 before winning their third World Cup title in 2015 and fourth in 2019.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=July 5, 2015 |title=In a Rout and a Romp, U.S. Takes W |page=A1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/06/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-usa-defeats-japan-to-win-title.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504030737/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/06/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-usa-defeats-japan-to-win-title.html |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Das |first=Andrew |date=July 7, 2019 |title=U.S. Wins Record Fourth World Cup Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/07/sports/soccer/usa-vs-netherlands-score.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 7, 2019}} Several members of the 2011, 2015, and 2019 teams cited the 1999 tournament as providing inspiration during their pursuit of a professional career in the sport.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Rory |date=July 7, 2019 |title=Stars and Stripes (and Wins) Forever |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/07/sports/soccer/uswnt-world-cup-final.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=July 7, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Rogers |first=Martin |date=June 4, 2015 |title=Legacy of 1999 Women's World Cup champions lives in this year's U.S. squad |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/06/04/1999-womens-world-cup-legacy-united-states/28474939/ |work=USA Today |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608041715/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2015/06/04/1999-womens-world-cup-legacy-united-states/28474939/ |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |url-status=live}} Christie Rampone was the last member of the 1999 team to retire, doing so in 2017 after earning 311 caps.{{cite news |date=March 4, 2017 |title=Longtime captain Christie Rampone honored before US game |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/03/04/longtime-captain-christie-rampone-honored-before-us-game/98756216/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309223706/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/03/04/longtime-captain-christie-rampone-honored-before-us-game/98756216/ |archive-date=March 9, 2017 |url-status=live}}

The organizers and supporters of the Women's World Cup had hoped to ride the momentum from the tournament's popularity to form a professional women's soccer league akin to Major League Soccer, which was established after the 1994 men's World Cup.{{cite news |last=Jensen |first=Mike |date=July 8, 1999 |title=Start of women's pro soccer league not just around the corner |page=E1 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31541361/start_of_womens_pro_soccer_league_not/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Smallwood |first=John |date=July 12, 1999 |title=Will win spur soccer revolution? |page=111 |work=Philadelphia Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31550616/will_win_spur_soccer_revolution/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}} The Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) was formed in January 2000 and began play in April 2001 with eight teams and the support of the United States Soccer Federation.{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=May 8, 2000 |title=One Women's League Is Playing as Another Is Planning |page=D4 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/08/sports/soccer-one-women-s-league-is-playing-as-another-is-planning.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527133644/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/08/sports/soccer-one-women-s-league-is-playing-as-another-is-planning.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Page |first=Rodney |date=April 8, 2001 |title=Women's soccer dream comes true |page=C4 |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31550652/womens_soccer_dream_comes_true/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}} The league's $40 million, five-year budget lasted only one season while its attendance and television ratings struggled to meet projections and investor demands.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=September 16, 2003 |title=Women's Soccer League Folds on World Cup's Eve |page=A1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/16/sports/soccer-women-s-soccer-league-folds-on-world-cup-s-eve.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414062029/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/16/sports/soccer-women-s-soccer-league-folds-on-world-cup-s-eve.html |archive-date=April 14, 2019 |url-status=live}} The league played three full seasons before folding in September 2003 with losses estimated at $90 million and an average attendance of 6,667 in its final season.{{cite news |last=Hersh |first=Philip |date=September 16, 2003 |title=Women's soccer league folds on eve of World Cup |page=1 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-09-16-0309160273-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=May 14, 2019}} The league's teams continued playing in exhibition matches, but eventually folded, while another professional league was founded in 2007 and folded after three seasons.{{cite news |last=Zeigler |first=Mark |date=January 10, 2007 |title=Will WUSA live again? |page=D2 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/soccer/20070110-9999-lz1s10wusa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306030136/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/20070110-9999-lz1s10wusa.html |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Memmott |first=Jim |date=September 1, 2012 |title=U.S. Women's Stars Hope, Cautiously, That a New Pro League Will Form |page=SP6 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/sports/soccer/us-womens-soccer.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906025509/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/sports/soccer/us-womens-soccer.html |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |url-status=live}} The National Women's Soccer League was established in 2012 and is the longest-running women's soccer league in U.S. history, drawing on greater financial and planning support from the United States Soccer Federation.{{harvp|Murray|2019|pages=189, 203–207}}{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Jamie |date=April 9, 2015 |title=National Women's Soccer League faces challenges and opportunities as World Cup looms |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2015/04/nwsl_face_challenges_and_oppor.html |work=The Oregonian |access-date=June 9, 2019}}

China was originally awarded the rights to host the 2003 tournament, but the SARS outbreak forced them to withdraw as hosts.{{cite news |last=Longman |first=Jere |date=May 27, 2003 |title=U.S. Replaces China As Host of Soccer's Women's World Cup |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/sports/soccer-us-replaces-china-as-host-of-soccer-s-women-s-world-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908054348/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/sports/soccer-us-replaces-china-as-host-of-soccer-s-women-s-world-cup.html |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |url-status=live}} The United States stepped in to host the tournament, which was organized in three months and was used unsuccessfully to prevent the WUSA from folding.{{cite news |last=Madden |first=Mark |date=September 20, 2003 |title=It's a half-empty outlook for Women's World Cup |page=B2 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31544797/its_a_halfempty_outlook_for_womens/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Lowitt |first=Bruce |date=September 14, 2003 |title=This won't be a party like it was in 1999 |page=C1 |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31584200/this_wont_be_a_party_like_it_was_in/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 14, 2019}} The 2003 tournament used smaller venues, including several soccer-specific stadiums built for Major League Soccer teams, and its television broadcasts competed against American football and baseball games that were scheduled at the same time.{{cite news |last=Connolly |first=Marc |date=September 11, 2003 |title=MLS cashes in on Women's World Cup |page=C3 |work=USA Today}}{{cite news |last=Timmermann |first=Tom |date=September 19, 2003 |title=WUSA's demise puts cloud over tourney |page=D1 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31584238/wusas_demise_puts_cloud_over_tourney/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 14, 2019}} It averaged an attendance of 20,525 and ended with a victory for Germany over Sweden at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.{{cite news |date=March 22, 2007 |title=Europe dominates as USA steps in to host |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-women-world-cup-usa-2003-502007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514064228/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/fifa-women-world-cup-usa-2003-502007 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 13, 2019}}

{{See also|FIFA Women's World Cup awards}}

Chinese striker Sun Wen was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/archive/usa1999/awards/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702171925/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/archive/usa1999/awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |title=Awards |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 16, 2019}} She also shared the Golden Shoe with Brazilian midfielder Sissi as the tournament's joint top goalscorers with seven goals and three assists for both players.{{cite news |date=July 20, 1999 |title=Sun Wen and Sissi share adidas top scorer award |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/sun-wen-and-sissi-share-adidas-top-scorer-award-71010 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512053853/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/sun-wen-and-sissi-share-adidas-top-scorer-award-71010 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} Sissi also won the Silver Ball, while American veteran Michelle Akers won the Bronze Ball. Ann Kristin Aarønes won the Bronze Shoe with four goals and one assist. China won the FIFA Fair Play Award for its disciplinary record during the tournament. The tournament's awards were presented at the FIFA World Player of the Year ceremony on January 24, 2000, in Brussels.{{cite news |date=December 22, 1999 |title=FIFA World Player of the Year 1999 : Batistuta, Beckham or Rivaldo? |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-world-player-the-year-1999-batistuta-beckham-rivaldo-71792 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512053853/https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-world-player-the-year-1999-batistuta-beckham-rivaldo-71792 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

The sixteen members of the Women's World Cup All-Star Team were announced on July 8, 1999, including seven players from China and five from the United States.{{cite news |date=July 8, 1999 |title=WWC99: Hamm, Sissi, Sun among 16 players selected to Mastercard All-Star Team |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/wwc99-hamm-sissi-sun-among-players-selected-mastercard-all-star-team-70977 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512053847/https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/wwc99-hamm-sissi-sun-among-players-selected-mastercard-all-star-team-70977 |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |url-status=dead}} It was the first all-star team to be chosen during the World Cup by FIFA officials.{{cite news |date=July 9, 1999 |title=China, U.S. dominate all-star team |page=D4 |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31483111/china_us_dominate_allstar_team/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=May 11, 2019}}

A total of 123 goals were scored at the Women's World Cup, setting a new tournament record, and averaged 3.84 per match. 74 different players scored goals, including three own goals and four hat-tricks. Sissi of Brazil and Sun Wen of China PR won the Golden Shoe award for scoring seven goals, while Ann Kristin Aarønes of Norway finished third with four goals.{{cite web |title=FIFA Women's World Cup USA 1999: Players – Top goals |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/archive/usa1999/statistics/players/goal-scored.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615044446/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/archive/usa1999/statistics/players/goal-scored.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2015 |work=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=July 1, 2019}}

{{Goalscorers

|source=FIFA

|7 goals=

• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Sissi
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Sun Wen

|4 goals=

• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Ann Kristin Aarønes

|3 goals=

• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Pretinha
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Jin Yan
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Liu Ailing
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Inka Grings
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Bettina Wiegmann
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Nkiru Okosieme
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Marianne Pettersen
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Hege Riise
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Tiffeny Milbrett

|2 goals=

• {{fbwicon|AUS}} Julie Murray
• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Cidinha
• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Kátia
• {{fbwicon|CAN}} Charmaine Hooper
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Zhang Ouying
• {{fbwicon|ITA}} Patrizia Panico
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Mercy Akide
• {{fbwicon|PRK}} Jo Song-ok
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Elena Fomina
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Olga Letyushova
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Hanna Ljungberg
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Victoria Svensson
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Michelle Akers
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Mia Hamm
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Kristine Lilly
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Cindy Parlow
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Tisha Venturini

|1 goal=

• {{fbwicon|AUS}} Cheryl Salisbury
• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Maycon
• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Nenê
• {{fbwicon|CAN}} Silvana Burtini
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Fan Yunjie
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Liu Ying
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Pu Wei
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Zhao Lihong
• {{fbwicon|DEN}} Janni Johansen
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Ariane Hingst
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Steffi Jones
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Renate Lingor
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Birgit Prinz
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Sandra Smisek
• {{fbwicon|GHA}} Nana Gyamfuah
• {{fbwicon|ITA}} Paola Zanni
• {{fbwicon|JPN}} Nami Otake
• {{fbwicon|MEX}} Maribel Domínguez
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Nkechi Egbe
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Prisca Emeafu
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Rita Nwadike
• {{fbwicon|PRK}} Jin Pyol-hui
• {{fbwicon|PRK}} Kim Kum-sil
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Solveig Gulbrandsen
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Unni Lehn
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Linda Medalen
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Dagny Mellgren
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Brit Sandaune
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Natalia Barbashina
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Irina Grigorieva
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Natalia Karasseva
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Olga Karasseva
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Galina Komarova
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Larisa Savina
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Kristin Bengtsson
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Malin Moström
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Jane Törnqvist
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Brandi Chastain
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Joy Fawcett
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Julie Foudy
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Shannon MacMillan

|1 own goal=

• {{fbwicon|JPN}} Hiromi Isozaki (against Norway)
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Ifeanyi Chiejine (against United States)
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Brandi Chastain (against Germany)

}}

{{Goalscorers

|assists=yes

|source=FIFA{{cite book |title=Statistics – FIFA Women's World Cup USA '99 |publisher=FIFA |year=1999 |location=Zürich}}

|4 assists=

• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Irina Grigorieva
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Julie Foudy

|3 assists=

• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Sissi
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Sun Wen
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Unni Lehn
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Olga Letyushova
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Shannon MacMillan

|2 assists=

• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Nenê
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Pu Wei
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Zhao Lihong
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Sandra Smisek
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Marianne Pettersen
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Brandi Chastain
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Mia Hamm
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Tiffeny Milbrett
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Cindy Parlow

|1 assist=

• {{fbwicon|AUS}} Julie Murray
• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Elane
• {{fbwicon|BRA}} Raquel
• {{fbwicon|CAN}} Geri Donnelly
• {{fbwicon|CAN}} Charmaine Hooper
• {{fbwicon|CAN}} Andrea Neil
• {{fbwicon|CAN}} Sharolta Nonen
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Jin Yan
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Liu Ying
• {{fbwicon|CHN}} Wang Liping
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Doris Fitschen
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Maren Meinert
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Birgit Prinz
• {{fbwicon|GER}} Pia Wunderlich
• {{fbwicon|GHA}} Vivian Mensah
• {{fbwicon|ITA}} Antonella Carta
• {{fbwicon|JPN}} Tamaki Uchiyama
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Mercy Akide
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Patience Avre
• {{fbwicon|NGA}} Rita Nwadike
• {{fbwicon|PRK}} Jo Jong-ran
• {{fbwicon|PRK}} Jo Song-ok
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Ann Kristin Aarønes
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Silje Jørgensen
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Monica Knudsen
• {{fbwicon|NOR}} Brit Sandaune
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Natalia Barbashina
• {{fbwicon|RUS}} Natalia Karasseva
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Malin Andersson
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Kristin Bengtsson
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Malin Moström
• {{fbwicon|SWE}} Victoria Svensson
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Joy Fawcett
• {{fbwicon|USA}} Kristine Lilly

}}

{{small|Per statistical convention in soccer, matches decided in extra time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL

|update=complete |source=FIFA Technical Report{{harvp|FIFA Technical Study Group|1999|page=12}}

|status_USA=H

|team1=USA |team2=CHN |team3=BRA |team4=NOR |team5=RUS |team6=SWE |team7=NGA |team8=GER |team9=ITA |team10=PRK |team11=AUS |team12=CAN |team13=GHA |team14=JPN |team15=DEN |team16=MEX

|pos_JPN=13

|win_AUS=0 |draw_AUS=1 |loss_AUS=2 |gf_AUS=3 |ga_AUS=7

|win_BRA=3 |draw_BRA=2 |loss_BRA=1 |gf_BRA=16|ga_BRA=9

|win_CAN=0 |draw_CAN=1 |loss_CAN=2 |gf_CAN=3 |ga_CAN=12

|win_CHN=5 |draw_CHN=1 |loss_CHN=0 |gf_CHN=19|ga_CHN=2

|win_DEN=0 |draw_DEN=0 |loss_DEN=3 |gf_DEN=1 |ga_DEN=8

|win_GER=1 |draw_GER=2 |loss_GER=1 |gf_GER=12|ga_GER=7

|win_GHA=0 |draw_GHA=1 |loss_GHA=2 |gf_GHA=1 |ga_GHA=10

|win_ITA=1 |draw_ITA=1 |loss_ITA=1 |gf_ITA=3 |ga_ITA=3

|win_JPN=0 |draw_JPN=1 |loss_JPN=2 |gf_JPN=1 |ga_JPN=10

|win_MEX=0 |draw_MEX=0 |loss_MEX=3 |gf_MEX=1 |ga_MEX=15

|win_NGA=2 |draw_NGA=0 |loss_NGA=2 |gf_NGA=8 |ga_NGA=12

|win_PRK=1 |draw_PRK=0 |loss_PRK=2 |gf_PRK=4 |ga_PRK=6

|win_NOR=4 |draw_NOR=1 |loss_NOR=1 |gf_NOR=16|ga_NOR=8

|win_RUS=2 |draw_RUS=0 |loss_RUS=2 |gf_RUS=10|ga_RUS=5

|win_SWE=2 |draw_SWE=0 |loss_SWE=2 |gf_SWE=7 |ga_SWE=6

|win_USA=5 |draw_USA=1 |loss_USA=0 |gf_USA=18|ga_USA=3

|name_AUS={{fbw|AUS}}

|name_BRA={{fbw|BRA}}

|name_CAN={{fbw|CAN}}

|name_CHN={{fbw|CHN}}

|name_DEN={{fbw|DEN}}

|name_GER={{fbw|GER}}

|name_GHA={{fbw|GHA}}

|name_ITA={{fbw|ITA}}

|name_JPN={{fbw|JPN}}

|name_MEX={{fbw|MEX}}

|name_NGA={{fbw|NGA}}

|name_PRK={{fbw|PRK}}

|name_NOR={{fbw|NOR}}

|name_RUS={{fbw|RUS}}

|name_SWE={{fbw|SWE}}

|name_USA={{fbw|USA}}

|show_groups=T

|group_AUS=D

|group_BRA=B

|group_CAN=C

|group_CHN=D

|group_DEN=A

|group_GER=B

|group_GHA=D

|group_ITA=B

|group_JPN=C

|group_MEX=B

|group_NGA=A

|group_PRK=A

|group_NOR=C

|group_RUS=C

|group_SWE=D

|group_USA=A

|res_col_header=Final result

|col_1st=#FFD700 |text_1st=Champions

|col_2nd=#C0C0C0 |text_2nd=Runners-up

|col_3rd=#CD7F32 |text_3rd=Third place

|text_4th=Fourth place

|text_QF=Eliminated in
quarter-finals

|text_GS=Eliminated in
group stage

|split4=yes |split8=yes

|result1=1st |result2=2nd |result3=3rd |result4=4th |result5=QF |result6=QF |result7=QF |result8=QF |result9=GS |result10=GS |result11=GS |result12=GS |result13=GS |result14=GS |result15=GS |result16=GS

}}

• {{portal-inline|Women's association football}}

{{reflist}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010503220552/http://wwc99.fifa.com/ |title=Official website |date=May 3, 2001}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150607210904/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/archive/usa1999/index.html FIFA Women's World Cup USA 1999] at FIFA.com
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111226225614/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/12/wwc%5f99%5ftr%5fpart1%5f257.pdf FIFA Technical Report (Part 1)] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20111227003442/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/technicaldevp/50/08/08/wwc%5f99%5ftr%5fpart2%5f256.pdf (Part 2)]

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup}}

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup finalists}}

{{1999 FIFA Women's World Cup stadiums}}

{{FIFA Women's World Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1999 Fifa Women's World Cup}}

Category:1999 in American women's soccer

FIFA

Category:FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments

Category:International women's association football competitions hosted by the United States

Category:June 1999 sports events in the United States

Category:July 1999 sports events in the United States