The first round of group stage fixtures at the Women’s World Cup is complete and two contenders have emerged head and shoulders above the rest.

France, the hosts, appeared to have established themselves as firm favourites to be crowned world champions in Lyon next month with a hugely impressive 4-0 thrashing of South Korea on opening night.

It was only surpassed in the final game of the opening round, when the holders, the United States, recorded the biggest-ever winning margin at World Cup finals by eviscerating Thailand 13-0.

Ladies and gentlemen, our two main contenders have emerged. They are, however, unlikely to meet in the final. If both top their respective groups and progress through the round of 16, they will meet in the quarter-finals.

That will give hope to the chasing pack, which includes England. Phil Neville’s side deservedly saw off Scotland, though a sloppy second half display almost allowed Shelley Kerr’s side back in.

The Netherlands did not have it all their own way against New Zealand, Germany were less than impressive against China, while Canada, Norway and Brazil all picked up three points. The field is open.

And with that in mind, how would we rank the 24 contenders and their chances of success after the first round of games?

Women’s World Cup 2019 power rankings

Group stage, first round

Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings Show all 16 1 /16 Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 1. United States With France out of the way, it looks theirs to win. Megan Rapinoe's brace saw them through at the Parc des Princes, but their defence showed why Jill Ellis' side will not be easy to break down. Getty Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 2. England Excellent against Norway, in their most complete performance of the World Cup to date. Lucy Bronze demonstrated why she is among the world's best. Her and her team-mates need a repeat performance on Tuesday. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 3. Netherlands Their patience paid off against Italy, with two set-piece goals deep in the second half finally seeing them through. Room to improve and work to be done, but will be confident of reaching a first final. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 4. Sweden Produced the shock of the tournament so far to beat Germany and earn their fourth semi-final appearance, having initially gone behind too. Well-organised at the back and Stina Blackstenius is a nuisance up front. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 5. France Eliminated in quarter-finals. Easily good enough for a semi-final place but ran up against the United States and made the mistake of going behind early against a well-drilled defence. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 6. Italy Eliminated in quarter-finals. As expected, the Netherlands proved a bridge too far for the tournament's surprise package, but they will return home with their heads held high after an impressive showing. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 7. Norway Eliminated in quarter-finals. Another team who fell behind early in the last eight and rarely looked like coming back. Deserve credit for reaching the quarters but overshadowed in Scandinavia by the Swedes. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 8. Germany Eliminated in quarter-finals. Unconvincing for so long, they always seemed to do enough, but those displays finally caught up with them, but even so, few saw defeat coming against Sweden. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 9. Brazil Eliminated from the last 16. Deserved to go further, having taken six points from the toughest group and taken the hosts to extra time, but France proved to have too much for Marta and her team-mates. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 10. Canada Eliminated from the last 16. Leaving so early is a disappointment given their no. 5 world ranking, though you would never have guessed it from their conservative approach. Rarely looked like scoring against Sweden, the missed penalty aside. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 11. Japan Eliminated from the last 16. Reaching a third successive final was always likely to be beyond this squad, though will still depart with a hint of disappointment. Their exit meant there are no Asian sides in the quarter-finals for the first time in Women’s World Cup history. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 12. Spain Eliminated from the last 16. Saved their best performance of the tournament until their last game. On another day, could have upset an out-of-sorts United States but must add incision to their patient possession game. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 13. Australia Eliminated from the last 16. Entertainers throughout, responsible for three of the tournament’s best games so far, though never looked long for this World Cup. Despite her penalty miss, Sam Kerr is a loss to proceedings. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 14. China Eliminated from the last 16. Once a force in the women’s game, defeat to Italy reflected their diminished status. A little unlucky to be placed in one of the toughest groups and thereby only qualify in third. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 15. Nigeria Eliminated from the last 16. The meek exit at the hands of Germany was a mismatch, but Thomas Dennerby’s side arguably deserved more from their group stage performances having tested both France and Norway. Getty Images Women's World Cup 2019 power rankings 16. Cameroon Eliminated from the last 16. Deserve credit for reaching the knock-out stages when unfancied, though will be remembered for their conduct and loss of composure in their defeat to England. Getty Images

1. United States

They had to wait for their turn but once it came, they delivered an all-time record World Cup win. Thailand were blown away 13-0. As things stand, it seems the only obstacle between the United States and a fourth World Cup is a likely quarter-final against France.

2. France

Unlucky to be knocked off top spot last night. The host nation put in perhaps the most accomplished performance we have seen so far, thumping a competent South Korea side 4-0 on opening night. Their seven-strong Lyon contingent look on top of their game.

3. England

Much of a muchness from here, starting with England. A great first half was followed by a so-so second half in Nice and reviews of their all-round performance were mixed, but the 2-1 victory over Scotland leaves Phil Neville’s side well placed to top Group D.

4. Netherlands

The tournament’s most exciting attack came unstuck against New Zealand for the best part of 92 minutes, until Jill Roord’s late intervention. It was mostly a case of poor finishing, in fairness. They should not be as wasteful against Cameroon.

5. Germany

Victorious but oddly underwhelming and a shade fortunate to beat China, who created enough openings to punish the two-time champions. Improvement needed and the loss of captain Dzsenifer Marozsan to injury could be costly.

6. Canada

A defensively solid outfit, if not much else, but that is more than can be said for many of their competitors. The 1-0 win over Cameroon was not thrilling fare but Canada are happy to grind out results. It may take them far.

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7. Norway

Ada who? A comfortable 3-0 win over Nigeria proved Martin Sjögren’s side can cope just fine without their Ballon d’Or winner, though a meeting with France in Nice will be a real test of their credentials.

8. Brazil

The nine-game losing streak is over and those grumbling about Brazil’s ageing attack have fallen quiet after 34-year-old Cristiane’s hat-trick. Tougher tests than Jamaica will soon come, as will Marta, who is set to return from injury.

9. Spain

Undoubtedly talented but lacked incision for the majority of the win over South Africa. Two contentious penalty calls averted disaster. Will not be intimidated by their main rivals for Group B’s top spot Germany.

10. Sweden

Unimpressive against Chile until the enforced stoppage, which appeared to focus their minds. Will surely finish in second place behind the United States, though could have been in trouble if the draw was not so kind.

11. Italy

The prize for this World Cup’s most entertaining climax to date goes to Barbara Bonansea, whose 95th-minute winning goal downed Australia. Italy will not expect to progress too far but a last-16 place is within their grasp.

12. Japan

The biggest disappointment of the opening round? Had no answer to Argentina’s excellent, deep-set defence. Technically sound but will need to show more of a cutting edge in order to pick up wins against Scotland and England.

Japan could only draw with New Zealand (Getty Images)

13. Australia

Everybody’s pre-tournament dark horses will be stinging from their stoppage-time defeat to Italy, especially given that they led at half time. Qualification still should not be a problem, but a strong third-place finish may now be their most realistic target.

14. New Zealand

Undone by Roord late on, in arguably cruel fashion, though in truth they offered the Netherlands too many openings. Whether they have the threat up front to hurt their next opponents Canada is debatable.

15. Argentina

Arguably the weakest team in the tournament delivered the upset of the opening round, heroically holding 2011 world champions Japan to a goalless draw in Paris. Hopes of reaching the knock-out stages, most likely via third place, have increased.

16. Scotland

By no means disgraced themselves against England, though Argentina’s unexpected point leaves Shelley Kerr’s side bottom of Group D and in need of positive results in their remaining two games. Friday’s meeting with Japan will likely be crucial.

17. China

Unlucky in defeat, China will be hopeful of turning things around with Germany out of the way. Spain are definitely beatable, but first up is South Africa at the Parc des Princes on Thursday. A must win, you would think.

18. South Korea

Devastated by France, they can at least be pleased they only conceded one goal more than Nigeria. Their toughest test is now out of the way, too. Other than that, there was very little to hand your hat on.

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19. Chile

Were 19 minutes away from earning a crucial point against Sweden, only for the match to be temporarily suspended due to adverse weather. Fell apart once play resumed, though their initial solidity against Sweden will give them faint hopes of sneaking through.

20. South Africa

For an hour or so, Desiree Ellis’ side looked likely to pull off this World Cup’s first upset but tired legs cost her band of part-time players when it came down to the crunch. Must avoid defeat to China.

21. Cameroon

Only narrowly beaten by a conservative Canada but defensive issues are likely to rear their head if the Netherlands are in the mood on Saturday. A good third-place finish will depend on breaking down New Zealand.

Thailand suffered their heaviest-ever defeat against the United States (Getty Images)

22. Nigeria

Rounding off a poor start for the African qualifiers, Nigeria’s hopes of progressing out of Group A look slim after succumbing to a three-goal defeat against Norway. Three points against South Korea seem vital as France await in their final group game.

23. Jamaica

The Reggae Girlz threatened in glimpses against Brazil but – ‘Bunny’ Shaw aside – appear to lack the quality they will require to escape Group C. Fourth-place behind Italy and Australia seems all but certain.

24. Thailand