Latin American underdogs Colombia struck within the dying minutes to stun former Women’s World Cup champions Germany on Sunday after New Zealand grew to become the first-ever hosts to bow out within the group stage.
Manuela Vanegas headed dwelling off a nook kick within the seventh minute of stoppage time in Sydney to finish Germany’s unbeaten group stage run on the world event after 20 matches and 28 years.
Germany thought that they had salvaged a draw when captain Alexandra Popp transformed an 89th-minute penalty which canceled out Colombia’s 52nd-minute lead from their star ahead Linda Caicedo.
While Germany’s probabilities of reaching the knock-out phases stay intact, the event is over for New Zealand as they needed to accept a 0-0 draw in opposition to Switzerland, who superior alongside Norway, who thrashed the Philippines 6-0 with the assistance of a Sophie Haug hat trick.
Germany’s defeat was not the one shock end in Group H as a result of Morocco obtained a well-known first-ever World Cup win, 1-0 over South Korea.
Coming off a 6-0 conquer Morocco, Germany confronted a a lot sterner take a look at in opposition to sturdy Colombia, and Popp wasted the perfect first-half likelihood when she volleyed huge.
Colombia took the lead when a blocked shot fell to Real Madrid ahead Caicedo who moved away from a defender and curled into the highest proper nook.
Caicedo, who was enjoying regardless of collapsing on the coaching pitch Thursday, virtually wrapped up issues within the eighty fifth however Germany then hit again.
Lena Oberdorf was introduced down by Catalina Perez, and Popp calmly beat the goalkeeper down the center from the spot within the 89th – nevertheless it was to no avail as Colombia then stole victory in spite of everything from Vanegas’ header into the underside proper nook.
“It is maga bitter to lose through a dead ball situation,” Popp instructed broadcasters ZDF. “We controlled the game but didn’t manage a second after equalizing. We lacked courage in front of goal.”
Coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg mentioned, “It was all a little hectic” however vowed that “we want to win the next game and reach the last 16.”
Colombia moved to the highest of Group H with a most of six factors and are well-placed to achieve the final 16. Germany and Morocco have three every, with Germany’s purpose distinction vastly superior. South Korea have zero forward of their remaining recreation on Thursday in opposition to Germany, whereas Colombia play Morocco.
Morocco’s maiden victory
Ibtissam Jraidi scored within the sixth minute to make historical past for Morocco with their first-ever purpose and win on the World Cup. In addition, teammate Nouhaila Benzina grew to become the primary participant to compete in a Muslin head scarf, a hijab, at a World Cup match.
“We are just so pleased our efforts have paid off. This victory is for Morocco and Arabs, it’s the fruit of our hard work,” Jraidi mentioned.
The Swiss, in the meantime, completed high of Group A with out conceding a purpose to achieve the final 16 as in 2015. Norway and New Zealand had been one level behind, with the Scandinavians advancing on purpose distinction over the Football Ferns who had been eradicated together with the Philippines.
New Zealand wanted a victory in opposition to the Swiss however possibilities had been sparse in entrance of 45,000 in Dunedin, and Jacqui Hand was denied by the submit from a decent angle after an extended ball from Katie Bowen.
The hosts threw all gamers ahead within the closing phases, together with goalkeeper Victoria Esson who headed properly huge in stoppage time.
“It was an emotional moment for everybody in the team. We wanted to win this game. We knew if we win, we would go through. The result, unfortunately, didn’t go our way,” New Zealand coach Jitka Klimkova mentioned.
Norway lastly obtained on the scoreboard when it mattered after trying into the abyss following a shock opening 1-0 loss to New Zealand and a meager 0-0 in opposition to the Swiss.
Haug volleyed the opener six minutes into the sport on the far submit, doubled the lead 11 minutes later with a looping header and wrapped up issues with one other header in stoppage time.
Caroline Graham Hansen, an personal purpose from Alicia Barker within the forty eighth, and Guro Reiten’s penalty additional damage the Philippines who additionally had Sofia Harrison was red-carded for a reckless deal with in opposition to Thea Bjelde, lower than 10 minutes after approaching through the second half.
Norway will now play the winner of Group C, both former champions Japan or Spain, within the final 16 on Saturday in Wellington. The Swiss play the Group C runners-up the identical day in Auckland.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
