South Africa 0-4 Germany match report
Cina o-0 Spain match report
Germany top Group B, Spain and China also through
Germany earned their third win out of three in Group B after beating South Africa 4-0 in Montpellier. Melanie Leupolz opened the scoring inside 15 minutes, heading home from a corner. Sara Däbritz added a second after goalkeeper Andile Dlamini could only parry Alexandra Popp’s cross into her path.
Popp, who had missed a golden opportunity soon after Leupolz’s opener, added a third before half time. Dlamini atoned for her error in the second half with a fine save from Leubolz’s header, and was unlucky when her fingertip save from Marina Hegering bounced off the far post, turned in by Lina Magull.
Thembi Kgatlana missed an opportunity to add a consolation for eliminated South Africa, while Germany had two late goals disallowed for offside.
In the other Group B game, China got the point they needed to secure qualification in third place, despite being dominated by Spain. Peng Shimeng produced a string of late saves to deny Spain victory, but a point was enough for both sides to progress.
That’s about all from me, but we will have match reports from both games online shortly. Thanks for joining me, and please join my esteemed colleague, John Brewin, for tonight’s late games:
So, Germany’s next game will be in Grenoble on Saturday. They will play one of the third-placed sides – most likely from Group A, which will probably be Nigeria. Spain will play Group F’s winners (probably USA) in Reims on Monday, and China are likely to face the Group C winners, who will probably be Italy, in Montpellier next Tuesday. Hope that’s cleared things up for you.
The World Cup action doesn’t end here – join John Brewin for live coverage of the Group A finale, with hosts France facing Nigeria, and Norway v South Korea.
Here’s how Group B finished. Just to clarify – China are definitely through, as they are guaranteed to finish among the top four third-placed sides.
The final standings...#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Lckh7mCyAP
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 17, 2019
Full time! China 0-0 Spain
Spain run out of time, but they are into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever. The bad news is they’ll probably face the USA in the last 16. China are also through, largely thanks to goalkeeper Peng Shimeng.
Full time! South Africa 0-4 Germany
It’s farewell to South Africa, and three wins from three for Germany, who win Group B. Dabritz, Popp, Leupolz and Magull got the goals.
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Time’s almost up in Montpellier. Germany are winning handsomely, but a quick word for South Africa. They’ve had their moments here, gave Spain a scare and went toe-to-toe with China. This is their first World Cup, and many of their players don’t have professional contracts. They have plenty to be proud of. My speech is almost spoiled by a late German break, but Dlamani makes a fine save with her legs.
Peng clatters into the post, and is hurt. She needs treatment on her knee. China don’t have any subs left – but she looks OK to see out stoppage time, of which there will be four minutes.
Late change for Spain: Seattle Reign’s Celia Jimenez replaces Lucia Garcia. China bring on Yao Wei for Gu Yasha, who has had limited chances to show what she can do in attack.
Can China hang on here? They look exhausted, and Peng has to rescue them again, turning Hermoso’s header over the bar. In Montpellier, Mulaudzi breaks the German offside trap, but can’t get her shot on target.
Peng keeps China level! This is a brilliant save. Patri Guijarro, some 20 yards out, fires a shot towards the bottom corner – but the keeper gets down low to turn it around the post!
Another goal chalked off for Germany! Giulia Gwinn gets forward from right-back and slots home, but the flag is up. South Africa operating a decent high line, even at 4-0 down.
Putellas gets a header on target, but it’s easy enough for Peng. “Spain v China – the battle to avoid USA by not winning,” notes Tony Reekie. “Spain appear resigned to actually going forward while China are employing Scotland’s first-half tactics throughout.”
Agreed; China are working hard for the point they need, but have shown no ambition at all. If they get an “easier” draw while knackered and short of goals, will it have been worth it?
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Hermoso sends a header wide after Falcon cuts back inside and crosses from the left with her right. A nice moment in the other game – Germany see a goal ruled out for offside, with Van Wyk racing back and looking puffed. When the flag goes up, the defender jokingly berates the referee for making her run all the way back.
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What a chance for South Africa! Kgatlana gets a yard on her marker, which is frankly more than she needs. She speeds through on goal, but Schult stands tall and pushes her shot away!
Almost a fifth for Germany! South Africa have been edging upfield and Germany strike on the break, substitute Schuller squaring for Sara Dabritz – who is denied by Dlamini!
Spain keep pushing for the winner, with Putellas the latest to test Peng with a free-kick that’s well struck, but lacks power.
South Africa go close! Captain and centre-back Janine van Wyk decides to have a go from 30 yards out. Hey, why not? And it’s a fine effort, staying low and zipping a foot over Schult’s bar!
China break upfield, Gu Yasha delivering an early cross towards Yang, who can’t bring it under control under pressure.
Change for Spain: Nahikari Garcia is replaced by Alexia Putellas of Barcelona. They have 25 minutes or so to secure what would be their second-ever World Cup win.
Shot count: Spain 14, China 1. Right-back Marta Corradera is the latest to have a go, if a rather optimistic one from some 30 yards out.
China living dangerously here – one goal for Spain would leave them nervously hoping to sneak through with three points. Lucia Garcia almost breaks the deadlock here, but her low shot is turned away by Peng!
GOAL! South Africa 0-4 Germany (Magull 58')
Lina Magull gets on the scoresheet after Dlamini tips Hegering’s header onto the post. That’s harsh on the goalkeeper, although admittedly a fair reflection of the game so far.
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Another change for China, with Wang Shuang replaced by Li Wen. As China try to reorganise, Garcia has a half-chance from a free kick – but a red shirt is there to block once again.
Fine save from Dlamini! The goalkeeper atones for her earlier error, getting a hand to turn Leubolz’s close-range header over the bar!
Ramalepe goes into the book, after another agricultural challenge, this time on Huth. Magull is booked, apparently for dissent, then takes the free kick. It’s cleared for a corner...
Chance for Spain! Guijarro turns sharply in the area, and sees her snap-shot deflected behind for a corner – from which the midfielder gets a header on goal that Peng collects underneath her crossbar.
Ramalepe is lucky not to concede a penalty, scything Popp down in the penalty area. The full-back then brings down Magull outside the area, conceding a free kick. Magull is taking a while to get up.
Half-time changes in both games: For China, Yang Li comes on for Wang Shanshan. For Spain, Mariona Caldentey is replaced by Andrea Sanchez Falcon. South Africa have brought on Thembi Kgatlana and Rhoda Mulaudzi, while Carolin Simon replaces Schweers at left-back for Germany.
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Peep!
Back under way in both games.
Half-time listening:
Half time! China 0-0 Spain
China create their best chance just beyond the break, with Li just unable to connect with Wang’s cross to the far post. But it’s 0-0 at half-time.
Half time! South Africa 0-3 Germany
Germany have located their scoring boots, putting three past South Africa in the first half.
Drifting towards half-time in Le Havre, although Spain have a free kick in the China half. It’s hoiked into the area in rather un-Spanish fashion, but Peng comes off her line and does enough to clear away.
GOAL! South Africa 0-3 Germany (Popp 40')
It’s three in Montpellier, and Alexandra Popp has her first goal of this World Cup! She’s missed a couple of chances, but made no mistake here, powering a header home from Gwinn’s cross.
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Hermoso denied by Peng! Li Ying gets forward down the right flank, but her cross is easy for Paños. Spain get back on the front foot and Hermoso gets a header on target, but Peng makes a fine stop, and gathers at the second attempt.
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Almost a third for Germany! Buhl’s low cross finds Huth, who can’t get a touch to turn it in! Moments later, a crafty dummy plays Magull in – but the midfielder skews her shot over the bar! It looks a case of how many for Germany.
An injury break in Le Havre, with Wang Shanshan taking a boot to the knee. Yang Li warms up, but Wang is able to continue for now.
Popp had the chance to play Dabritz in, but completely overhit the cross, and turned away in disgust – only for Dlamini to parry the ball across goal rather than hold it. Dabritz got there first, and tucked it away.
GOAL! South Africa 0-2 Germany (Dabritz 28')
Ah, that’s a shame. South Africa had held steady since that first goal, but a goalkeeping error allows Germany to double their lead.
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Spain continue to threaten, but from Ouahabi’s cross, Hermoso is closed down by roughly half the Chinese team. They look happy to settle for a point already.
Halfway through the first halves, and still goalless in Le Havre. Spain win a free kick and it’s lifted into the area, but Victoria Torrecilla’s hopeful header drifts wide.
Spain have had 70% possession, with China happy to sit back and try to break. Jenni Hermoso gets frustrated and concedes a free kick with a heavy challenge. Spain’s next attack ends with Caldentey hitting an undercooked pass. It works better if you say it out loud, alright?
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What a miss! Vilakazi has an effort from distance for South Africa, but Germany go straight back upfield and Dabritz gets in on goal. Her shot is well saved but the rebound lands at the feet of Popp. She can’t sort her feet out, and blazes over!
GOAL! South Africa 0-1 Germany (Leupolz 14')
It felt like a matter of time, and Germany get on the scoresheet from a corner. Melanie Leupolz is given the freedom of the penalty area, and heads home tidily.
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In Montpellier, it’s one-way traffic. South Africa keeping Germany at bay so far, but they’ve barely left their half.
Another chance for Spain! China get forward and send a couple of testing crosses in, before Spain do the same – Hermoso squaring for Lucia Garcia, who gets there ahead of Peng but prods the ball wide! That’s two missed chances for the Athletic Bilbao forward.
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Chance for Spain! A lovely slide-rule pass sets Lucia Garcia up one-on-one with Peng Shimeng. The Chinese keeper races a mile off her line, and Garcia gets round her – but the angle is tight, and she delays the shot, allowing a defender to get back.
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Germany earn a free kick on the edge of the box, which Magull whips into a dangerous area. Popp connects with it but her shot is tame, and Dlamini gathers.
Peep!
South Africa v Germany is go! As is China v Spain, just under a minute behind.
In Montpellier, the teams are out for the anthems. In Le Havre, China and Spain are on their way out of the tunnel. Five minutes to go!
In her latest column, Hope Solo takes on the tedious quadrennial debate about smaller goals, and explains why it’s more complicated than that:
Find out more about the teams meeting in Le Havre, including the player obsessed with overcoming gravity...
China v Spain teams
Leila Ouahabi, Patricia Guijarro and Lucía García come into the Spanish side following the 1-0 loss to Germany, while there are no changes to the China team that beat South Africa by the same scoreline.
China (4-4-2): Peng Shimeng; Han Peng, Lin Yuping, Wu Hiayan, Liu Shanshan; Wang Shuang, Zhang Rui, Wang Yan, Gu Yasha; Wang Shanshan, Li Ying.
Subs from: Xu Huan, Bi Xiaolin, Lou Jiahui, Li Jiayue, Yang Li, Wang Ying, Song Duan, Li Wen, Tan Ruyin, Yao Wei, Luo Guiping, Liu Yanqiu.
Spain (4-2-3-1): Paños; Corredera, Paredes, León, Ouahabi; Torrecilla, Guijarro; Lucía García, Formoso, Caldentey; Nahikari García.
Which player featuring in Montpellier provides her teammates with eggs from her family farm? Find out here:
South Africa v Germany teams
A squad shuffle rather than wholesale changes for Germany, with Melanie Leupolz, Klara Bühl and Lina Magull starting after coming off the bench against Spain. Thembi Kgatlana doesn’t start for South Africa; unless she’s injured, that’s a hard one to explain.
South Africa (4-1-4-1): Dlamini; Ramalepe, Van Wyk, Matlou, Vilakazi; Ndimeni; Mthandi, Makhabane, Biyana, Jane; Fulutudilu.
Subs from: Mpuru, Dhlamini, Motlhalo, Kgatlana, Seoposenwe, Mbane, Makhubela, Smeda, Gamede, Swart, Mulaudzi, Holweni.
Germany (4-4-2): Schult; Gwinn, Doorsoun-Khajeh, Hegering, Schweers; Huth, Magull, Leupolz, Däbritz; Bühl, Popp.
Subs from: Simon, Hendrich, Maier, Oberdorf, Schuller, Goeßling, Marozsán, Benkarth, Elsig, Dallmann, Frohms, Knaak.
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Preamble
Welcome to the World Cup’s second act – a frantic bottleneck of 12 fixtures in four days, breaking the reassuring rhythm of the early group games and drawing up each team’s road map to the final.
In Group B at least, things appear straightforward. Germany are through, and will secure top spot unless South Africa pull off a monumental upset (25-1, since you ask). That’s also the only way the debutants can claw their way off the bottom of the group. It’s not going to happen.
That leaves China and Spain shooting it out in Le Havre, where the winners will secure second place. A draw would send both sides through – Spain in second, China guaranteed to be one the best third-placed sides. Should either side lose, they face four days of uncertainty.
The twist is that in this group, it might be better to avoid second place. The runners-up will face the Group F winners (probably the USA) in the last 16, while the third-placed team’s most likely opponents will be Italy.
Spain, despite their obvious potential, have never reached the World Cup knockouts. China have gone to at least the quarter-finals every time in all six of their appearances. Whoever lies in wait, both will be desperate to make it through. Kick-offs: 5pm BST.
