The opening group to the Women's Draft World Cup gave us some real fireworks! There was plenty of late goals, culminating in a Andressinha's goal for Rest of World to earn top spot ahead of France.
Spain are likely to join them in the next round, as their tally of 4 points is pretty good for a third-placed side.
Today we see two of the tournament's strongest sides, England and Germany. The men's sides played out a pulsating semi-final in this year's DWC. Meanwhile, Scandinavian rivals Sweden and Norway will do battle, presumably for third spot.
Anyway, on with the matches and it's the big one to start with...
England vs Germany
It was Germany who got off to the perfect start, when Anna Blasse's long pass went over Steph Houghton and into the path of Pernille Harder, who calmly placed it home. And by the 7th minute Germany lead by two, as Alexandra Popp powered a free kick through Hedvig Lindahl. Incredibly, Popp added another goal, from another fantastic free kick, just 14 minutes later. A shellshocked England did get on the scoreboard in the 36th minute when Fran Kirby reached Demi Stokes' delightful cross, but 3-1 at the break saw Germany totally in control.
Harder had a couple of one-on-ones to finish the game off, but couldn't take either. However, England didn't look like punishing them at the other end, and in the 88th minute a misjudgement by Maren Mjelde allowed Lina Magull to steal in and add another. And the punishment wasn't over, as Jackie Groenen crashed in a volley to wrap up a humiliating defeat for England.
Final score: England 1-5 Germany
Today we see two of the tournament's strongest sides, England and Germany. The men's sides played out a pulsating semi-final in this year's DWC. Meanwhile, Scandinavian rivals Sweden and Norway will do battle, presumably for third spot.
Anyway, on with the matches and it's the big one to start with...
England vs Germany
It was Germany who got off to the perfect start, when Anna Blasse's long pass went over Steph Houghton and into the path of Pernille Harder, who calmly placed it home. And by the 7th minute Germany lead by two, as Alexandra Popp powered a free kick through Hedvig Lindahl. Incredibly, Popp added another goal, from another fantastic free kick, just 14 minutes later. A shellshocked England did get on the scoreboard in the 36th minute when Fran Kirby reached Demi Stokes' delightful cross, but 3-1 at the break saw Germany totally in control.
Harder had a couple of one-on-ones to finish the game off, but couldn't take either. However, England didn't look like punishing them at the other end, and in the 88th minute a misjudgement by Maren Mjelde allowed Lina Magull to steal in and add another. And the punishment wasn't over, as Jackie Groenen crashed in a volley to wrap up a humiliating defeat for England.
Final score: England 1-5 Germany
Norway vs Sweden
Norway started the stronger in this game. Somehow, they didn't take the lead in the 28th minute when Sherida Spitse rebound from her own free kick hit the post and just stayed out. Despite further Norwegian chances, it was Sweden who took the lead 10 minutes later when Kosovare Asllani's header was parried out to German legend Anja Mittag to poke home!
That goal came from a free kick, and at the start of the second half another free kick cost Norway again, as Glódís Viggósdóttir powered a header home. However, Norway bounced back - also from a free kick - when Guro Reiten's header came off the bar and was bundled in by Kristine Leine. Norway continued to have the better of the game, and Leine hauled them back level with a powerful header from yet another set piece - a corner this time. The final 15 minutes provided no further drama, and a draw means each team realistically needs a win from somewhere to challenge for qualification.
Final score: Norway 2-2 Sweden
Norway started the stronger in this game. Somehow, they didn't take the lead in the 28th minute when Sherida Spitse rebound from her own free kick hit the post and just stayed out. Despite further Norwegian chances, it was Sweden who took the lead 10 minutes later when Kosovare Asllani's header was parried out to German legend Anja Mittag to poke home!
That goal came from a free kick, and at the start of the second half another free kick cost Norway again, as Glódís Viggósdóttir powered a header home. However, Norway bounced back - also from a free kick - when Guro Reiten's header came off the bar and was bundled in by Kristine Leine. Norway continued to have the better of the game, and Leine hauled them back level with a powerful header from yet another set piece - a corner this time. The final 15 minutes provided no further drama, and a draw means each team realistically needs a win from somewhere to challenge for qualification.
Final score: Norway 2-2 Sweden
Germany vs Norway
A win here guarantees qualification for Germany. But Norway made a sprightly start and took the lead through a fizzing shot from range by Emilie Haavi. They held out until the 33rd minute, when they made the cardinal sin of giving away a free kick on the edge of the box. Popp stepped up, and fired it into the top corner. The second half was tight, and despite a near worldie from 35 yards by Sara Gunnarsdóttir, there were no more goals.
Final score: Germany 1-1 Norway
A win here guarantees qualification for Germany. But Norway made a sprightly start and took the lead through a fizzing shot from range by Emilie Haavi. They held out until the 33rd minute, when they made the cardinal sin of giving away a free kick on the edge of the box. Popp stepped up, and fired it into the top corner. The second half was tight, and despite a near worldie from 35 yards by Sara Gunnarsdóttir, there were no more goals.
Final score: Germany 1-1 Norway
Sweden vs England
In big, big trouble with a defeat, England couldn't afford for Asllani to rocket an early shot into Lindahl's top corner - which is exactly what happened. In fact, it was only a solo show from Lindahl that ensured it was only a single goal deficit at the break. England couldn't get any rhythm together and their hopes looked over. However, in the 81st minute a cross was cleared as far as Jordan Nobbs, who did her best Steven Gerrard impression with a searing volley to level matters! With no further chances either way, a draw just about keeps England alive.
Final score: Sweden 1-1 England
In big, big trouble with a defeat, England couldn't afford for Asllani to rocket an early shot into Lindahl's top corner - which is exactly what happened. In fact, it was only a solo show from Lindahl that ensured it was only a single goal deficit at the break. England couldn't get any rhythm together and their hopes looked over. However, in the 81st minute a cross was cleared as far as Jordan Nobbs, who did her best Steven Gerrard impression with a searing volley to level matters! With no further chances either way, a draw just about keeps England alive.
Final score: Sweden 1-1 England
So ultimately we've had three draws and just one (thumping) win. Here's the standings with one game to go:
England simply have to win, and even that may not be enough. Germany just need a point to win the group (almost certainly as group winners). Meanwhile, if Norway and Sweden match each other's result, they will have to be split by a coin toss.
Norway vs England
So this is it, the lost points against Sweden leaves England facing a potential Waterloo for England's misfiring side. A very cagey first half saw only hopeful pot shots for either side.
10 minutes into the second half and disaster struck, as Norway were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Tiffany Cameron... who ballooned it over the bar! Chances remained few and far between. But in added time Nobbs played an inch-perfect pass over the Norwegian defence to the goal machine that is Vivianne Miedema. The most golden of chances, to the most brilliant of strikers... and she put it wide! Goalless, and a terrible elimination for England.
Final score: Norway 0-0 England
Norway vs England
So this is it, the lost points against Sweden leaves England facing a potential Waterloo for England's misfiring side. A very cagey first half saw only hopeful pot shots for either side.
10 minutes into the second half and disaster struck, as Norway were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Tiffany Cameron... who ballooned it over the bar! Chances remained few and far between. But in added time Nobbs played an inch-perfect pass over the Norwegian defence to the goal machine that is Vivianne Miedema. The most golden of chances, to the most brilliant of strikers... and she put it wide! Goalless, and a terrible elimination for England.
Final score: Norway 0-0 England
Sweden vs Germany
That confirms that Germany are through. In order to join them, Sweden need a score draw or a win. A German win puts Norway through. In the 6th minute Harder had the chance to score from the spot and end any hope of qualification resting on a coin toss... but Erin McLeod produced a fine save! But Germany did eventually find a way through just before half time. And, surprise surprise, it was yet another wonderful free kick from Popp! This has been a tour de force from her so far.
Sweden couldn't muster a real attacking threat, and Germany eventually clinched the game in the 86th minute when Magull tucked away Harder's pass. However, there was a late scare when a defensive mix-up resulted in Stina Blackstenius putting the ball into an unguarded net. But it wasn't enough, and it's Norway who battle through despite failing to record a win!
Final score: Sweden 1-2 Germany
That confirms that Germany are through. In order to join them, Sweden need a score draw or a win. A German win puts Norway through. In the 6th minute Harder had the chance to score from the spot and end any hope of qualification resting on a coin toss... but Erin McLeod produced a fine save! But Germany did eventually find a way through just before half time. And, surprise surprise, it was yet another wonderful free kick from Popp! This has been a tour de force from her so far.
Sweden couldn't muster a real attacking threat, and Germany eventually clinched the game in the 86th minute when Magull tucked away Harder's pass. However, there was a late scare when a defensive mix-up resulted in Stina Blackstenius putting the ball into an unguarded net. But it wasn't enough, and it's Norway who battle through despite failing to record a win!
Final score: Sweden 1-2 Germany
Here's the final table:
As third-placed Sweden only managed two points, this also confirms that Spain are guaranteed progression.
Anyway, what a curious group. I was only thinking yesterday that there's only one way to finish second in a group of 4 whilst drawing every match, and Norway have done exactly that. Next time it's the final group, featuring heavyweights USA.
Anyway, what a curious group. I was only thinking yesterday that there's only one way to finish second in a group of 4 whilst drawing every match, and Norway have done exactly that. Next time it's the final group, featuring heavyweights USA.