Day seven in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup was decision day for teams in Group A and Group B and one of the world powers was sent home packing in the group stage.
First, in Group A, hosts Germany defeated France 4-1 behind an Alexandra Popp hat trick. Popp opened the scoring in the 10th minute and added two more goals in the 35th and 60th minutes, while Dzsenifer Marozsan added a cushion goal for Germany in the 73rd minute. Pauline Crammer scored in the 49th minute to put France on the board, but it would not be enough on the day or in the tournament. France was, however, robbed of a goal when Lea Rubio’s shot smacked the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line but a goal was not given (see highlights below, 2:10 into the clip).
In a simultaneously played match, Columbia defeated Costa Rica 3-0 to draw level with France on four points, but the big victory allowed Columbia to make up the goal differential on the French and advance to the knockout stage. The nail in the coffin for France came in heart breaking fashion when Yorely Rincon converted a penalty kick for Columbia in the third minute of stoppage time to add a third goal. Daniela Montoya had the other two for Columbia as the South American’s defeated Costa Rica 3-0 and advanced out of Group A.
Columbia 3-0 Costa Rica: Highlights
Germany 4-1 France: Highlights
Meanwhile, in Group B, Brazil has shockingly failed to advance from the group stage after Sweden defeated North Korea 3-2. Brazil defeated New Zealand 4-1 behind goals from Ludmila in the 25th minute, Leah in the 59th minute and Debora in the 87th and 90th minutes). New Zealand’s Rosie White would score a consolation goal in the 89th minute, but it would not matter for either team.
Sweden’s 3-2 win over North Korea sent the Swedes atop Group B with seven points and North Korea advanced as the second-place qualifier from the group with six points. Kim Myon Gum opened the scoring for North Korea in the 26th minute and Jon Myong Hwa added the team’s second in the 62nd minute, but Sofia Jakobssen struck in the 43rd minute and Antonia Goransson added a second for Sweden in the 52nd minute. Sweden’s winner would come in the 75th minute as a result of Hyon Un Hui own goal.
Brazil 4-1 New Zealand: Highlights
Sweden 3-2 North Korea: Highlights
So, Saturday’s quarterfinal matches will pit Germany against North Korea in an early heavyweight showdown and Sweden will take on Columbia.
Catching up on Day Five:
Saturday set up an interesting final day in Croup C, while Group D is more or less decided after the day’s results. Mexico topped England 1-0 on a 62nd minute from Renae Cuellar to go atop the group and Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 to go level with Mexico on four points.
Mexico 1-0 England: Highlights
In Group D, the United States defeated Switzerland 5-0 behind a Sydney Leroux hat trick and in doing so all but wrapped up a spot in the final eight. South Korea’s 4-2 win over Ghana guarantees a spot in the knockout stage for the South Korean’s.
