Colombia shocks Germany, Football Ferns out
Manuela Vanegas ripped up the script at the Women’s World Cup as her stoppage-time strike for Colombia condemned Germany to a shock 2-1 defeat.
Co-host New Zealand was knocked out of the tournament as it was held to a goalless draw by Switzerland, while Norway thrashed the Philippines 6-0 as Morocco edged out South Korea 1-0.
Colombia stuns Germany
Germany suffered its first World Cup group stage defeat since 1995 in dramatic fashion in Sydney.
Real Madrid teenager Linda Caicedo’s outstanding strike gave Colombia a 52nd-minute lead, but Germany thought it had rescued a draw when Alexandra Popp scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
But Colombia shocked the two-time world champion when Vanegas headed in Leicy Santos’s corner deep into stoppage time.
It means Colombia need only a point from their final group game against Morocco to top the group, with Germany perhaps needing to beat South Korea to advance.
New Zealand goes out
The World Cup lost the first of its two co-hosts on Sunday as a goalless draw for New Zealand was not enough in Group A.
The Football Ferns had recorded an historic first win over Norway on the opening night of the tournament, but the stalemate in Wellington saw Switzerland top the group, while New Zealand were left level on points with Norway.
And Norway had a vastly superior goal difference after finishing their group campaign with a 6-0 win over the Philippines, with Sophie Roman Haug scoring a hat-trick.
Benzina makes history
Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup as she helped Morocco to a 1-0 win over South Korea.
Benzina, 25, made her first appearance of the tournament in her side’s final group game, which Morocco won thanks to Ibtissam Jraidi’s sixth-minute header – the nation’s first-ever Women’s World Cup win.
FIFA authorised the wearing of head coverings for religious reasons in 2014.
Post of the day
Quote of the day
“There’s a lot of tears out there but they should be so proud, we fought really hard. There’s such disappointment but I want everyone to be proud of what we’ve achieved. I really think we’ve inspired the country. I hope little girls across New Zealand and the world now will start playing sport and feel they can achieve whatever they put their mind to” – New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley.
What’s up next
Group B: Canada v Australia Group B: Republic of Ireland v Nigeria
Group C: Costa Rica v Zambia
Group C: Japan v Spain