1999 — LEVEL THE FIELD

For a brief moment, it felt like time had stopped in the summer of 1999, with a World Cup Final that would consolidate the power of women’s football.

By 1995, FIFA bestowed the World Cup name on the tournament; in 1996, women’s soccer was added to the Olympics for the first time.

However, the decisive confirmation that women’s football was here to stay came in 1999, as the United States oversaw the third official World Cup edition, one that would consolidate athletes — particularly the US team that came to be known as the 99’ers — as icons.

The ‘99 Women’s World Cup attracted 660,000 people to assorted stadiums — averaging 37,319 fans per match, a record that still stands to this day. An estimated further 40 million watched on TV in the USA.

'For women being able to push themselves, and to be able to believe in themselves to do what they want to do -- I think that was a big impact, empowering women to do what they want to do.'

— — Joy Fawcett, USA

TOURNAMENT

‘We knew if we played some good soccer and put ourselves out there, that people would would appreciate that.’

— Kristine Lilly, USA

Group Stages

In Group A, host nation USA asserted their dominance early, claiming three victories to top their group.

Group B saw Brazil advance with flair, winning all three of their matches, while Sweden secured the second spot after edging past Japan.

Group C offered intense competition as China PR emerged undefeated, while Australia narrowly missed out on progression.

Meanwhile, in Group D, defending champions Norway impressed with three wins, ensuring their place in the knockout stages alongside Russia, who secured second place with a critical victory over Canada.

GROUP A

Pts

1 USA

2 NGA

-3

3 PRK

-2

4 DEN

-7

GROUP B

Pts

1 BRA

2 GER

3 ITA

4 MEX

-14

GROUP C

Pts

1 NOR

2 RUS

3 JPN

-9

4 CAN

-9

GROUP D

Pts

1 CHN

2 SWE

3 AUS

-4

4 GHA

-9

Knockout

The knockout phase showcased unforgettable matches, forever etched in the history of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

China PR triumphed 2-0 against Russia in the quarterfinals before demolishing Norway with an impressive 5-0 at Foxboro Stadium.

In the grand finale, China PR would meet the United States as Tony DiCicco's team overcame the challenges posed by Germany and Brazil consecutively.

THE FINAL

The Rose Bowl, Pasadena – a virtual cauldron on a typically sweltering Californian summer’s day. It’s 10 July, 1999, and the stands are packed with 90,185 spectators, setting a new — official — attendance record.

After extra time ends in a goalless draw, a partisan crowd looks on as Brandi Chastain makes the long, lonely walk from the centre-circle and carefully places the ball on the penalty spot. With the title up for grabs, she begins her run-up as the fans hold their breath: Chastain fires her surprisingly left-foot penalty past China’s goalkeeper Gao Hong to win the World Cup for the USA.

Chastain removed her shirt and swung it in triumph above her head. In her soon-to-be famous black sports bra, she sank to her knees and with both fists raised in triumph, looked towards the sky. Thus, an icon was born.

‘That moment where you’ve probably thought about it as a kid. There’s this rush of emotion and adrenaline and relief and joy that you can’t anticipate and surely can’t define.’

— Brandi Chastain, USA

That win — the team’s second World Cup title — not only solidified the U.S. women as a powerhouse in the world of soccer, but it also turned the country’s budding interest in the sport into a full-blown romance.

Winner

Score

Runner-up

USA

(5) 0 — 0 (4)

CHN