Here we are, then. The final of the second Women's Draft World Cup. This is how the knockout stages have gone:
Germany have battled through the whole tournament pretty unscathed, with only a draw against Norway blemishing their perfect campaign. Meanwhile, France have had to do it the hard way, beating USA in an all-time classic before a penalty victory over Italy.
France are the reigning champions, winning last year's final after a cruel own goal from England's Steph Houghton in injury time. Can they make it back-to-back victories, or will Germany become the first side to have won both the men's and the women's DWC? (And in the same year).
Germany revert to the shape they used against Sweden, with Nilla Fischer replacing Lina Magull to create a 4-3-3 shape. That is their only change, and France make even fewer chances, naming the same XI that slightly struggled against Italy.
France are the reigning champions, winning last year's final after a cruel own goal from England's Steph Houghton in injury time. Can they make it back-to-back victories, or will Germany become the first side to have won both the men's and the women's DWC? (And in the same year).
Germany revert to the shape they used against Sweden, with Nilla Fischer replacing Lina Magull to create a 4-3-3 shape. That is their only change, and France make even fewer chances, naming the same XI that slightly struggled against Italy.
Of course, the majority of France's team play club football for Lyon (all except left-back Sakina Karchaoui, who plays for Montpellier). Meanwhile, Germany's team is mainly split between Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich (the exception is real World Cup semi-final hero Jackie Groenen, who played last season at Frankfurt - but will be at Manchester United next season). With Lyon dominant in European football, France are favourites, but not by much.
Germany start by dominating possession, although Kirstin Demann picks up a needless yellow. In the semi-final France had to replace Shanice van de Sanden in the 34th minute with an injury. She lasts half that time today, as she damages her foot in the 17th minute. Once again, Janice Cayman comes on.
As France return the ball to Germany following the injury, their opponents build a promising attack. It eventually comes to Caroline Graham Hansen whose shot is tipped behind by Sarah Bouhaddi, the game's first chance. Bouhaddi is called into action a bit later, as Groenen stings her palms with a shot from the edge of the box.
In the 35th minute, France were just about to bring Dzsenifer Marozsan - who, it has to be said, has had a very poor tournament - back into a CM position to help stem Germany's control of the game. But just at that moment she pulls up injured, and so France have to make a second substitution, with Virginia Torrecilla coming on. The change does help France get into the game, and they see it through to the interval with the match all-square at 0-0.
Germany start by dominating possession, although Kirstin Demann picks up a needless yellow. In the semi-final France had to replace Shanice van de Sanden in the 34th minute with an injury. She lasts half that time today, as she damages her foot in the 17th minute. Once again, Janice Cayman comes on.
As France return the ball to Germany following the injury, their opponents build a promising attack. It eventually comes to Caroline Graham Hansen whose shot is tipped behind by Sarah Bouhaddi, the game's first chance. Bouhaddi is called into action a bit later, as Groenen stings her palms with a shot from the edge of the box.
In the 35th minute, France were just about to bring Dzsenifer Marozsan - who, it has to be said, has had a very poor tournament - back into a CM position to help stem Germany's control of the game. But just at that moment she pulls up injured, and so France have to make a second substitution, with Virginia Torrecilla coming on. The change does help France get into the game, and they see it through to the interval with the match all-square at 0-0.
It's been a really tough game so far for the match's two strikers, and both players pick up yellow cards in an otherwise-uneventful period after half time.
This lean spell keeps going, until we reach the 78th minute and we've yet to add to the first half's miserly 5 shots. The 6th shot nearly brings the opening goal, however, as Harder rises highest to Graham Hansen's cross, but Lucy Bronze is back to make a crucial clearance!
In the 84th minute France suffer yet another injury, this time to Wendie Renard. Anouk Dekker comes on. After the restart the ball gets upfield to Hegerberg. She muscles Demann out of the way and bears down on goal. It's a good chance, but she cannot beat German captain Almuth Schult. Germany finally make their first change, Babett Peter coming on for Melanie Leupolz, with Alexandra Popp moving up to the left wing. Other than yellow cards for Verena Schweers and Saki Kumagia, there's no more action before we reach the end of 90 minutes, as we go to extra time!
This lean spell keeps going, until we reach the 78th minute and we've yet to add to the first half's miserly 5 shots. The 6th shot nearly brings the opening goal, however, as Harder rises highest to Graham Hansen's cross, but Lucy Bronze is back to make a crucial clearance!
In the 84th minute France suffer yet another injury, this time to Wendie Renard. Anouk Dekker comes on. After the restart the ball gets upfield to Hegerberg. She muscles Demann out of the way and bears down on goal. It's a good chance, but she cannot beat German captain Almuth Schult. Germany finally make their first change, Babett Peter coming on for Melanie Leupolz, with Alexandra Popp moving up to the left wing. Other than yellow cards for Verena Schweers and Saki Kumagia, there's no more action before we reach the end of 90 minutes, as we go to extra time!
This has been easily the worst match of the tournament. Hopefully it'll boil into a thrilling crescendo. Germany make an attacking substitution, with Svenja Huth replacing Demann, with Fischer moving into defensive midfield.
The two involved in the change combine well, Fischer starting a German attack, before Huth plays a fine ball to Popp. Her cross is good and is met by Graham Hansen, but her header is into the side-netting. Soon after, Popp picks up a yellow, and we reach half time in extra time with no more chances.
We're up to 14 shots in the match, although most haven't been very good ones. For the final 15 minutes Germany go to bring on their final sub (Lena Goessling for Groenen) only to be told they are out of subs, which patently isn't true:
The two involved in the change combine well, Fischer starting a German attack, before Huth plays a fine ball to Popp. Her cross is good and is met by Graham Hansen, but her header is into the side-netting. Soon after, Popp picks up a yellow, and we reach half time in extra time with no more chances.
We're up to 14 shots in the match, although most haven't been very good ones. For the final 15 minutes Germany go to bring on their final sub (Lena Goessling for Groenen) only to be told they are out of subs, which patently isn't true:
That clear glitch hopefully won't haunt Germany. In the 108th minute they get a free kick 30 yards from goal. We know about Popp's awesome free kick skills this tournament, and she tests Bouhaddi with a curling effort, but the French keeper claims it comfortably.
Once again, Huth plays a fine ball out to Popp on the left wing, and she beats Bronze and plays it to Harder. She forces it at goal, but Bouhaddi parries, and the ball crawls just wide of the post before Harder reaches the rebound! That's the closest we've seen to a goal all game! Apart from another Popp free kick that is held, we have no more chances which means for the first time ever a Draft World Cup final is going to penalties!
Once again, Huth plays a fine ball out to Popp on the left wing, and she beats Bronze and plays it to Harder. She forces it at goal, but Bouhaddi parries, and the ball crawls just wide of the post before Harder reaches the rebound! That's the closest we've seen to a goal all game! Apart from another Popp free kick that is held, we have no more chances which means for the first time ever a Draft World Cup final is going to penalties!
Caroline Graham Hansen is up first... down the middle, and straight at Bouhaddi! (0-0)
Ada Hegerberg, can she put a poor match behind her... no, it's saved low by Schult! (0-0)
Are we ever going to see a goal today?
Svenja Huth... Bouhaddi guesses right, but she just can't keep it out! (1-0)
Kadeisha Buchanan... sends Schult the wrong way! (1-1)
Pernille Harder... hard into the bottom-left corner! (2-1)
Saki Kumagai... blasts it into the roof of the net! (2-2)
Anna Blasse... it's quite game, but it just beats Bouhaddi! (3-2)
Janice Cayman, who has had almost no impact since coming on... scores! (3-3)
We're effectively at sudden death now...
Alexandra Popp... calmly puts it away! (4-3)
Eugénie Le Sommer scored the winner in the last shootout, now she has to score to avoid French defeat... and she does! (4-4)
So, now it's actually sudden death...
Sara Gunnarsdóttir... thunders it into the top corner! (5-4)
Sakina Karchaoui... puts it wide, and GERMANY WIN THE 2019 WOMEN's DRAFT WORLD CUP!
Ada Hegerberg, can she put a poor match behind her... no, it's saved low by Schult! (0-0)
Are we ever going to see a goal today?
Svenja Huth... Bouhaddi guesses right, but she just can't keep it out! (1-0)
Kadeisha Buchanan... sends Schult the wrong way! (1-1)
Pernille Harder... hard into the bottom-left corner! (2-1)
Saki Kumagai... blasts it into the roof of the net! (2-2)
Anna Blasse... it's quite game, but it just beats Bouhaddi! (3-2)
Janice Cayman, who has had almost no impact since coming on... scores! (3-3)
We're effectively at sudden death now...
Alexandra Popp... calmly puts it away! (4-3)
Eugénie Le Sommer scored the winner in the last shootout, now she has to score to avoid French defeat... and she does! (4-4)
So, now it's actually sudden death...
Sara Gunnarsdóttir... thunders it into the top corner! (5-4)
Sakina Karchaoui... puts it wide, and GERMANY WIN THE 2019 WOMEN's DRAFT WORLD CUP!
Final score: Germany 0-0 France (5-4 penalties)
Player of the match: Lucy Bronze
Player of the match: Lucy Bronze
Germany complete a historic double, winners in both the men's and women's Draft World Cups. On the balance of play they deserved to win the final, although ultimately it was two hours of pretty turgid football.
Anyway, here's the tournament results in full:
Anyway, here's the tournament results in full:
Before we finish, some quick awards:
Golden boot
Golden ball
Team of the tournament
Bouhaddi (FRA);
Bronze (FRA), Schweers (GER), Gama (ITA), Karchaoui (FRA);
Gunnarsdóttir (GER), Monica (ROW), Kumagai (FRA);
Rapinoe (USA), Kerr (USA), Aluko (ITA)
Goal of the tournament
So, that's the end of this year's Draft World Cup action. Next year I hope to be able to bring you another edition of both the men's and women's Draft World Cup. If you've enjoyed this series, please check out all the others on this website, there's so many brilliant matches.
Thanks for following!
Golden boot
- Ada Hegerberg (FRA); 5 goals, 6 games
- Eni Aluko (ITA); 4 goals, 5 games
- Alexandra Popp (GER); 4 goals, 6 games
Golden ball
- Alexandra Popp (GER)
- Eni Aluko (ITA)
- Sam Kerr (USA)
Team of the tournament
Bouhaddi (FRA);
Bronze (FRA), Schweers (GER), Gama (ITA), Karchaoui (FRA);
Gunnarsdóttir (GER), Monica (ROW), Kumagai (FRA);
Rapinoe (USA), Kerr (USA), Aluko (ITA)
Goal of the tournament
- Andressinha (Rest of World) vs France
- Jordan Nobbs (England) vs Sweden
- Sam Kerr (USA) vs France
So, that's the end of this year's Draft World Cup action. Next year I hope to be able to bring you another edition of both the men's and women's Draft World Cup. If you've enjoyed this series, please check out all the others on this website, there's so many brilliant matches.
Thanks for following!