It's time to start the final event of the 19/20 DWC season! As a reminder, here are the groups for this year's event:
We'll go through all 6 Group A matches today, starting with the reigning champions Germany...
Spain vs Germany
Any notion of a serene opening to Germany's title defence were dashed as Spain dominated the first half of this encounter. The pressure eventually told, and they took the lead when Lieke Martens' free kick found Aissatou Tounkara at the far post to head in.
10 minutes after the break the lead was doubled in spectacular fashion, when Anna Blasse was dispossessed by Martens, who went on a sparkling run and capped it off with a drilled shot into the far corner. Germany got one back in the 84th minute as Fridolina Rolfo broke Spain's offside trap and slotted in. However, it was too little too late, and defeat could spell trouble already for Germany.
Final score: Spain 2-1 Germany
Player of the match: Lieke Martens (ESP)
Spain vs Germany
Any notion of a serene opening to Germany's title defence were dashed as Spain dominated the first half of this encounter. The pressure eventually told, and they took the lead when Lieke Martens' free kick found Aissatou Tounkara at the far post to head in.
10 minutes after the break the lead was doubled in spectacular fashion, when Anna Blasse was dispossessed by Martens, who went on a sparkling run and capped it off with a drilled shot into the far corner. Germany got one back in the 84th minute as Fridolina Rolfo broke Spain's offside trap and slotted in. However, it was too little too late, and defeat could spell trouble already for Germany.
Final score: Spain 2-1 Germany
Player of the match: Lieke Martens (ESP)
North Europe vs Norway
A local derby, of sorts, with the majority of North Europe's players based in Iceland. North Europe are the outsiders in this group, and they set up to withstand pressure. Norway nearly made the breakthrough early on when Emilie Haavi's powerful shot was spectacularly pushed over by Gudbjorg Gunnarsdóttir. However, the breakthrough goal was not forthcoming.
Katrina Gorry and Isabell Herlovsen both went close straight after the restart, whilst at the other end Marina Fedorova's long shot clipped the top of the bar. But again, chances dried up and North Europe were able to hold on for a good opening draw.
Final score: North Europe 0-0 Norway
Player of the match: Emilie Haavi (NOR)
A local derby, of sorts, with the majority of North Europe's players based in Iceland. North Europe are the outsiders in this group, and they set up to withstand pressure. Norway nearly made the breakthrough early on when Emilie Haavi's powerful shot was spectacularly pushed over by Gudbjorg Gunnarsdóttir. However, the breakthrough goal was not forthcoming.
Katrina Gorry and Isabell Herlovsen both went close straight after the restart, whilst at the other end Marina Fedorova's long shot clipped the top of the bar. But again, chances dried up and North Europe were able to hold on for a good opening draw.
Final score: North Europe 0-0 Norway
Player of the match: Emilie Haavi (NOR)
Germany vs North Europe
That draw confirms that one more defeat will eliminate the holders. And there's further bad news as centre back Kirstin Demann is out injured and will miss the entire tournament. And it just kept getting worse as Fedorova hared away from a disorganised German defence to put North Europe into a shock lead. 7 minutes later and Germany were level thanks to an outrageous volley from Alexandra Popp, but North Europe regained their lead just before the interval when German keeper Hedvig Lindahl spilled a cross and Natia Pantsulaia gratefully nodded in the loose ball.
So, Germany had 45 minutes to save their campaign. They got level in the 64th minute thanks to another piece of individual brilliance, as Sara Doorsoun - Demann's replacement - smashed a cleared corner into the top corner on the half-volley. And 5 minutes later Pernille Harder found the other top corner from the edge of the box, and Germany held on to claim a shaky but crucial win.
Final score: Germany 3-2 North Europe
Player of the match: Alexandra Popp (GER)
That draw confirms that one more defeat will eliminate the holders. And there's further bad news as centre back Kirstin Demann is out injured and will miss the entire tournament. And it just kept getting worse as Fedorova hared away from a disorganised German defence to put North Europe into a shock lead. 7 minutes later and Germany were level thanks to an outrageous volley from Alexandra Popp, but North Europe regained their lead just before the interval when German keeper Hedvig Lindahl spilled a cross and Natia Pantsulaia gratefully nodded in the loose ball.
So, Germany had 45 minutes to save their campaign. They got level in the 64th minute thanks to another piece of individual brilliance, as Sara Doorsoun - Demann's replacement - smashed a cleared corner into the top corner on the half-volley. And 5 minutes later Pernille Harder found the other top corner from the edge of the box, and Germany held on to claim a shaky but crucial win.
Final score: Germany 3-2 North Europe
Player of the match: Alexandra Popp (GER)
Norway vs Spain
Spain could secure qualification with a win, and Martens continued her superb form with a 15th-minute shot that found its way into the top corner from a tight angle.
Jenni Hermoso added a penalty just after the break, and Spain picked up a comfortable win that sees them as the first team confirmed in the knockout stages.
Final score: Norway 0-2 Spain
Player of the match: Lieke Martens (ESP)
Spain could secure qualification with a win, and Martens continued her superb form with a 15th-minute shot that found its way into the top corner from a tight angle.
Jenni Hermoso added a penalty just after the break, and Spain picked up a comfortable win that sees them as the first team confirmed in the knockout stages.
Final score: Norway 0-2 Spain
Player of the match: Lieke Martens (ESP)
So with one round of games to go, this is the table:
Spain are through, and Germany now look in good position to join them after their scares. Can they see the job through?
North Europe vs Spain
North Europe have to shock Spain in order to have a chance of qualification. This outside hope became even less likely when Kosovare Asllani - in for the rested Martens - volleyed Spain into a 20th minute lead.
Spain moved a step closer to a perfect group stage straight after the break when Hermoso beat Gunnarsdóttir from range, and Asisat Oshoala's close-range effort confirmed it.
Final score: North Europe 0-3 Spain
Player of the match: Asisat Oshoala (ESP)
North Europe vs Spain
North Europe have to shock Spain in order to have a chance of qualification. This outside hope became even less likely when Kosovare Asllani - in for the rested Martens - volleyed Spain into a 20th minute lead.
Spain moved a step closer to a perfect group stage straight after the break when Hermoso beat Gunnarsdóttir from range, and Asisat Oshoala's close-range effort confirmed it.
Final score: North Europe 0-3 Spain
Player of the match: Asisat Oshoala (ESP)
Norway vs Germany
So, it's now down to Norway to see if they can cause an upset. Germany can no longer win the group, so their aim is just to avoid defeat. Ewa Pajor helped them on the way by heading in a corner, but Norway fought back to level through Herlovsen's simple tap-in - Norway's first goal of the WDWC. This left the teams tied at the interval.
This is the way the game stayed until the 78th minute, when Harder relieved the worried Germans with a placed shot from the edge of the box that found its way in. Norway needed two goals, but instead it was Germany who added a brace, as late strikes from Pajor and Lina Magull gave a scoreline which flattered Germany.
Final score: Norway 1-4 Germany
Player of the match: Ewa Pajor (GER)
So, it's now down to Norway to see if they can cause an upset. Germany can no longer win the group, so their aim is just to avoid defeat. Ewa Pajor helped them on the way by heading in a corner, but Norway fought back to level through Herlovsen's simple tap-in - Norway's first goal of the WDWC. This left the teams tied at the interval.
This is the way the game stayed until the 78th minute, when Harder relieved the worried Germans with a placed shot from the edge of the box that found its way in. Norway needed two goals, but instead it was Germany who added a brace, as late strikes from Pajor and Lina Magull gave a scoreline which flattered Germany.
Final score: Norway 1-4 Germany
Player of the match: Ewa Pajor (GER)
Confirmation of the final table:
So the two favourites progress, although a 2nd-place finish for Germany means they risk facing the other side to have lifted the WDWC trophy - France - in the next round.
We'll see how France do next time, as they tackle a group containing Netherlands, Scotland and Rest of World.
We'll see how France do next time, as they tackle a group containing Netherlands, Scotland and Rest of World.