Germany capitalizes on Nigeria’s mistakes to see a 3-0 win
Germany 3-Nigeria 0
Grenoble, France- Germany qualified for their eighth quarter-final match in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup as they celebrated their 3-0 victory over Nigeria. Germany’s captain Alexandra Popp marked her 100th cap as she scored the first goal on a header to give the Die Nationalelf an early lead.
A penalty kick was issued to Germany as Nigerian midfielder Evelyn Nwabuoku went for the ball and kicked Lina Magull to the knee in the box. In the 27’ minute, Sara Daebritz stepped up to take the penalty and scored to advance Germany 2-0.
Nigeria took a big hit on goal as Germany put two to the back of their net within seven minutes. While the clock was ticking down to the half, Germany maintained ball possession over their competitors and held down their lead with no conceded goals by the end of the first half.
The Super Falcons brought in new players on the second half to pick up the pace and make runs down the other side of the pitch. Nigeria improved in their passing to the wings on the outside, but their downfall was completing the play with the final touch on goal.
The final goal for Germany came within the 82’ minute as the Nigerian defense allowed a ball to slip past them and Lea Schueller came through with a successful shot to the back of the net to secure Germany’s win with a 3-0 score.
“I think we showed the whole world that Nigeria have a team that has improved a lot. Of course you’re not satisfied to go out but you also have to recognise where we came from – and we’re just not ready yet,” Nigeria head coach Thomas Dennerby said. “It’s important to play high-level teams like Germany because the players can see that even the smallest mistakes get punished. But the second half was really good and now we just need to focus on improving and using all the FIFA dates to play matches.
The next quarter-final match for Germany will take place next Saturday as the Die Nationalelf wait for their opponents to come out of the Sweden vs Canada match on Monday, June 24.
SCORING SUMMARY:
GER-Alexandra Popp, 20’
GER-Sara Daebritz, 27’ PK
GER-Lea Schueller, 82’
BOOKING SUMMARY:
NGA-Evelyn Nwabuoku, 26’ yellow card
GER-Alexandra Popp, 32’ yellow card
GER-Svenja Huth, 57’ yellow card
NGA-Desire Oparanozie, 61’ yellow card
NGA-Rasheedat Ajibade, 82’ yellow card
GERMANY: #1-Almuth Schult, #5-Marina Hegering, #7-Lea Schueller, #9-Svenja Huth, #11-Alexandra Popp, #13-Sara Daebritz, #15-Giulia Gwinn, #17-Verena Schweers (#2-Carolin Simon, 46’), #18-Melanie Leupolz (#19-Klara Buhl, 46’), #20-Lina Magull (#6-Lena Oberdorf, 69’), #23-Sara Doorsoun
Subs not used: #3-Kathrin Hendrich, #4-Leonie Maier, #8-Lena Goesling, #10-Dzenifer Marozsan, #12-Laura Benkarth, #14-Johanna Elsig, #16-Linda Dallmann, #21-Merie Frohms, #22-Turid Knaak
NIGERIA: #16-Chiamaka Nnadozie, #3-Osinachi Ohale, #5-Onome Ebi, #6-Evelyn Nwabuoku (#15-Rasheedat Ajibade, 46’), #9-Desire Oparanozie, #12-Uchenna Kanu (#22-Alice Ogebe, 84’), #13-Ngoi Okobi, #17-Francisca Ordega, #18-Halimatu Ayinde, #19-Chinwendu Ihezuo (#11-Chinaza Uchendu, 75’), #20-Chidinma Okeke,
Subs not used: #1-Tochukwu Oluehi, #2-Amarachi Okoronkwo, #7-Anam Imo, #8-Asisat Oshoala, #21-Alaba Jonathan,#23-Ogonna Chukwudi, #4-Ngozi Ebere, #10-Rita Chikwelu, #14-Faith Michael
TOTAL SHOTS: GER 12-9 NGA
SHOTS ON GOAL: GER 4-1 NGA
OFFSIDES: GER 3-0 NGA
CORNERS: GER 13-5 NGA