FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011: Germany Wins Group A, Will Face Japan In Quarterfinals

Germany and France were both through to the quarterfinals in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup before today’s final Group A match, but their positioning remained to be settled. The hosts have prevailed with a 4-2 win that clinches first place in the group and sets up a quarterfinal match against Japan, but they were very much exposed as a team that could be beaten as they looked very poor at defending set pieces.

The first half was all Germany, as Wendie Renard had a nightmarish 45 minute period, completely losing the woman she was supposed to be marking on both of Germany’s goals, which were both scored on headers. France came out a different team in the second half, though, and seriously challenged the hosts.

At halftime, regular starters Camille Abily and Marie-Laure Delie, who were both rested, came into the match and France began to look like a much better side as a result. In the 56th minute, Delie added to her already impressive goal-scoring record, notching her 23rd goal in 23 matches with a headed goal on a corner kick. For the next 10 minutes France looked dangerous and it appeared as if the game would be close until the end, but Germany tipped the scales in the 65th minute.

Running onto a ball in the penalty area, Lira Barjamaj appeared to have a clear goal scoring opportunity before she was hacked down in the box by a dangerous tackle from Bérangère Sapowicz. The referee correctly granted a penalty kick and showed Sapowicz a straight red card, meaning that she will be suspended for the quarterfinal. Backup keeper Céline Deville entered, but she was nowhere near stopping the penalty kick of Inka Grings as Germany took a 3-1 lead.

Incredibly, down a woman, France would find another goal to bring the game back into doubt. Once again, bad marking on a corner kick was to blame for the goal as Laura Georges rose up to meet the ball and head it into the back of the net.

France’s hope of winning the group would be squashed at the very end of the match, though, as Célia Okoyino da Mbabi scored in the 89th minute, assisted by Inka Grings, to put the match beyond doubt.

In the other match, which has no affect on the knockout stages, Canada and Nigeria were still playing long after the first game finished due to a power outage. Nigeria scored a goal shortly after the lights came on, sealing a 1-0 win and a pointless World Cup for Canada, who have been far and away the most disappointing side at the World Cup so far.

Germany will play Group B runners up Japan in the quarterfinals, while France will play Group B winners England.