PARIS • Midfielder Giulia Gwinn scored the only goal yesterday as Germany opened their Women's World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over China in Group B.
On a sunny but breezy early summer's day perfect for football, in front of a noisy crowd of 15,283 in Rennes, Germany - twice winners of this competition - dominated possession and territory.
Yet, in a game of slick passing mixed with robust challenges, they twice survived narrow escapes.
The 19-year-old Gwinn fired in from the edge of the box in the 66th minute to break stiff Chinese resistance and seal the victory.
But China had almost stunned the favourites against the run of play in the first half when Yang Li was sent through after a German error, but her shot was cleared when she looked certain to score.
Carolin Simon hit the woodwork with a cross minutes later, but Germany's early dominance faded as the Chinese gained in confidence.
China then earned another golden chance from a quick break, hitting the post in the 44th minute before Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult came to the rescue.
With the win, Germany are now unbeaten in their last 13 matches, the longest run of any team taking part in the tournament in France.
"That was hard work. We started well but the goal didn't come. We were more stable after the break and we got the reward for our efforts in the end," said Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.
In Friday's opener, France coach Corinne Diacre said her side had taken their first step towards Cup success but warned they must stay grounded after they started with a 4-0 victory over South Korea.
Les Bleues were rarely troubled by a limited side and took only nine minutes for forward Eugenie Le Sommer to fire the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Wendie Renard doubled the tally with a downward header in the 35th minute, and the towering defender added another with her head on the stroke of half-time.
France's intensity dropped after the break until five minutes from the final whistle, when captain Amandine Henry curled a superb shot into the far corner.
"We worked a lot, they suffered a lot during the preparation period. We won tonight but it's just the first step," Diacre told a news conference at the Parc des Princes.
"We need six more (steps) to reach our goal, we must keep our feet on the ground, keep working.
"We started well and we made it easy for ourselves. It was important to score a second goal before the break, and we did even better."
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Sports Women's World Cup: Germany snatch fortunate win over China. Germany opened their 2019 Women's World Cup campaign with a win, although the scoreline didn't reflect the true nature of the game.
Giulia Gwinn's goal helps Germany beat China to open FIFA
Germany's teenage midfielder Giulia Gwinn scored a second-half winner as the two-time world champions edged past China 1-0 on Saturday in Rennes to kick-off their World Cup campaign. The 19-year
Giulia Gwinn scores Germany winner on Women's World Cup debut
A quiet first 60 minutes gave way to a big German goal vs. China in the two teams' opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup™. Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China | 2019
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany over against China at Women's World
Jun 08, 2019 · Giulia Gwinn gets Germany over against China at Women's World Cup. By The Associated Press. Sat., June 8, 2019. An own goal made it 3-0 and wrapped up scoring before the break.
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany off to winning start in Women's
Germany has a bright future in the 2019 Women's World Cup and beyond. Giulia Gwinn, the soccer side's mercurial midfielder scored the winning goal against China on Saturday — and she's only 19
Germany Women's - China Women's 1:0 | Giulia Gwinn goals
Jun 08, 2019 · Giulia Gwinn gets Germany off to winning start in Women's World Cup She added: "The goal gave her a lot of confidence, and she showed what she's capable of doing. It's definitely very
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China - One News Page
Giulia Gwinn's inspired strike was the difference as one of the favorites turned in a rather flat debut. Giulia Gwinn's goal helps Germany beat China to open FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 Home
Germany's Women's World Cup advert: 'We play for a nation that doesn't even know our names' - Duration: 1:27. Guardian Football 104,366 views
Women′s World Cup: Germany snatch fortunate win over China
Gwinn gets Germany's vital goal, Football News & Top Stories
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China • A quiet first 60 minutes gave way to a big German goal vs. China in the two teams' opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup™.
Gwinn's winner gets Germany off to perfect World Cup start
Gwinn gets Germany's vital goal. Germany's midfielder Giulia Gwinn jumps for joy after scoring the winner in their Women's World Cup Group B match against China yesterday.
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China | 2019 FIFA
0 comments:
Post a Comment