SYDNEY (Agencies): Colombia scored a 97th-minute winner to stun Germany 2-1 on a night of Women’s World Cup drama Sunday which also saw Norway and Switzerland into the last 16 but co-hosts New Zealand dumped out in tears.
Germany smashed Morocco 6-0 in their opener to underline why they were among the pre-tournament favourites, along with Spain and England, to snatch away the United States’ crown.
But they came crashing back down to earth at the hands of a Colombia side inspired by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo and roared on by the majority of a rowdy 40,000 crowd in Sydney. The Real Madrid attacker scored one of the best goals of the tournament so far, darting past two Germany defenders before curling the ball into the top corner to open the scoring.
Germany thought they had salvaged a point in the 89th minute when skipper Alexandra Popp defied the whistles to score from the penalty spot. But with a pulsating game that deep into stoppage time appeared destined for a draw, Manuela Vanegas popped up to head home from close range and put Colombia on the verge of the last 16.
“Germany is a world power, that’s a reality, but Colombia has been making great strides and today Colombia is a world power,” said the defender Vanegas. “I dreamed of scoring a goal in a World Cup, I knew it was going to come and I decided to do it for today’s game.”
Going into the last round of group matches, Colombia are top of Group H on six points, Germany and Morocco have three and South Korea have zero.
Germany’s fate is still in their own hands when they face the Koreans next, with Colombia against Morocco.
Morocco won a Women’s World Cup match for the first time after Ibtissam Jraidi struck early to give them a 1-0 victory over South Korea.
In the match, Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at the Women’s World Cup.
BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia (Reuters): The condition of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has stabilized but…
PORT SUDAN (AFP): Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have announced their willingness to open “safe…
MAIS AL JABAL (AFP): For displaced south Lebanese villagers, funerals for those killed in months…
NEW YORK (AP): One political party is holding urgent news conferences and congressional hearings over…
GAZA (AFP): Heavy clashes and bombardment Saturday rocked Gaza's southern city of Rafah, witnesses said,…
VIENNA (AFP): Austria said Saturday it will restore its funding to the UN agency for…
This website uses cookies.