GERMANY BECAME THE first team to secure their place in the last eight of the Women’s World Cup after Lea Schueller’s late strike completed a hard-fought 3-0 win over underdogs Nigeria on Saturday.
The two-time world champions had VAR to thank for their first two goals in a physical encounter in Grenoble, before striker Schueller sealed the win eight minutes from time.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side are yet to concede a goal in their four games at the World Cup so far.
Captain Alexandra Popp gave Germany the lead on 20 minutes, nodding Lina Magull’s in-swinging corner inside the far post.
Cúl i Grenoble ag an nGearmáin sa gcluiche sé fhoireann déag deireanach #GERvNIG
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 22, 2019
Alexandra Popp scores for Germany to give them a 1-0 lead against Nigeria #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/72RzgGH4ta
Magull was involved again as Germany doubled the lead minutes later.
The midfielder was caught on the knee as Nigerian left-back Evelyn Nwabouku attempted to clear a loose ball in the area.
After reviewing the incident on the touchline, the referee awarded Germany a penalty, and striker Sara Daebritz made no mistake from 12 yards.
Go leor le déanamh ag An Nigéir anois agus an dara cúl faighte ag An Ghearmáin. #GERvNGA
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 22, 2019
Negeria concede a second as Sara Däbritz slots home a penalty #FIFAWWC#20x20 @FIFAWWC ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/lZBujqcVpt
Three yellow cards were awarded in the second half as the Nigerians were unable to battle their way back into the game.
Schueller put paid to their hopes on 82 minutes, pouncing on a mistake from Halimat Ayinde and smashing the ball into the bottom corner.
Cúl ag Lea Schueller don Ghearmáin i Grenoble agus iad cinnte anois bheith sna babhtaí ceathrú ceannais #FIFAWWC
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 22, 2019
Germany with a third goal to secure their place in the quarter finals #GERvNGA#20x20 pic.twitter.com/zpvcQ85USm
Germany will face either Sweden or Canada, who play on Monday, in the quarter-final next weekend.
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