HERSTORY TOO
Germany crash out of World Cup in huge upset after draw with South KoreaSuzanne Wrack
Thu, 3 August 2023
Photograph: Dan Peled/Reuters
South Korea took the biggest scalp of the World Cup group stage, a stunning defensive performance earning a draw that sent one of the tournament favourites Germany out of the competition.
Alex Popp’s header at the close of the first half cancelled out Cho So-hyun’s early strike but with Morocco taking all three points against Colombia, only a win would stop Colombia and Morocco progressing and Germany crashing out.
Related: Morocco beat Colombia as both teams advance to World Cup last 16
“We need to take responsibility and it is clear that I have the greatest responsibility,” said Germany’s manager, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. “We have to analyse and draw conclusions. The whole year was not so solid, we will look at that.”
Germany had perhaps not expected to go into this game needing a result, with the European Championship runners-up likely feeling confident in a group with Colombia, South Korea and Morocco. A huge 70 places separated them from the debutants Morocco in the Fifa rankings and the second-ranked side also had a large margin over South Korea, who are 17th, and Colombia, 25th.
Except if there is one thing this World Cup group stage has shown, it is that the gap between the traditional powerhouses and the rest is closing rapidly. Overconfidence and a lack of a coherent strategy to deal with increasingly well-managed teams is proving costly.
“We needed a goal and we needed a success,” said South Korea’s manager, Colin Bell, whose side finished bottom of Group H. “That we had two early chances and scored gave us momentum. With the exception of Sydney Lohmann no one caused problems for us.”
There were two changes to the Germany side that had suffered a shock defeat against Colombia in their second game. The defender Sara Doorsoun and the midfielder Lina Magull dropped to the bench with Wolfsburg’s centre-back Marina Hegering and the Bayern Munich forward Lea Schüller starting.
South Korea made three changes to the team that had lost 1-0 to Morocco, with Choe Yu-ri, Chun Ga-ram and the 16-year-old forward Casey Phair coming in in place of Hong Hye-ji, Son Hwa-yeon and Park Eun-sun.
Germany looked rattled early on by an aggressive press, perhaps still shaken by the 2-1 loss to Colombia which South Korea had clearly done their homework on. It took only six minutes for Korea to score a goal that would rattle Germany further.Interactive
A defence-splitting pass from Lee Young-ju found Cho and the former Tottenham midfielder slotted coolly into the bottom left corner. It was the team’s opening goal of the World Cup, after two defeats, and criminally comedic defending by Germany, who switched off to the run of Cho, giving her a clean run through.
Popp, who missed the Euros final after an injury in the warm-up, equalised when ghosting into the box and leaping above Kim Hye-ri to powerfully head in Svenja Huth’s cross. That lifted Germany to second but their time with a foot in the last 16 was short, Morocco taking a shock lead against Colombia deep into added time at the end of the first half.
Just before the hour Germany had the ball in the net again, with Sara Däbritz’s cross flicked on by the heel of Schüller to Popp, who headed in at the far post, clashing with the keeper and going down injured in the process, but VAR found that Schüller was offside.
Germany dominated, with 72% possession and nine shots to South Korea’s three, but the teams had two efforts on target apiece. Popp hit the crossbar with another header but Germany struggled to create clear chances as South Korea put everything on the line at the back to hold off wave after wave of pressure.
“In the end the margins are small but in the one-v-one situation we were not present enough, we were too static and then it is difficult to create big chances,” Voss-Tecklenburg said. “And then time runs out and you need a little luck, but you cannot rely on luck.”
At the final whistle in Brisbane, Germany bodies folded in despair and tears flowed, while more than 4,000km away in Perth a huddled group of Morocco players, who had lost 6-0 to Germany in their opening game, screamed in ecstasy as news of the result filtered through.
“I don’t know what to say since I do not understand what has happened here,” a stunned Popp said. “It was bumpy for us, this was not our goal, but I cannot say why this has happened.”
'I don't entirely understand what's going on,' says a shell-shocked Alexandra Popp
After Germany CRASHED out of the World Cup at the group stages following a 1-1 draw with South Korea
Skipper Alexandra Popp was stunned by the team's 1-1 draw with South Korea
It was the second consecutive game they failed to win after losing to Colombia
By TUM BALOGUN FOR MAILONLINE
UPDATED: 3 August 2023
Germany captain Alexandra Popp has been left stunned by the country's shocking exit at the group stage of the Women's World Cup following a 1-1 draw with South Korea on Thursday.
The world No 2 ranked side, who made the final of the Euros last year, lost their second group game against Colombia, but were still in a strong position to qualify heading into the match after beating Morocco 6-0 in their opening group fixture.
However, they fell behind early on when Cho So-hyun scored in the sixth minute.
Popp equalised for Germany with a powerful header just before half time, but the European giants couldn't find a winner after the break, despite the game running for an incredible 107 minutes.
The Wolfsburg goal machine was shocked by the events that led to the nation's first-ever exit at the opening round of the tournament and struggled to make sense of the failure.
Alexandra Popp was left stunned by Germany's failure at the group stage of the World Cup
Cho Sohyun fired South Korea into a shock lead, piling the pressure on heavily-favoured rival
Alexandra Popp restored parity but they needed another and it didn't arrive in 107 minutes
German press slam 'disgraceful' exit from the Women's World Cup
South Africa's matchwinner reveals loss during the Women's World Cup
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'I don't entirely understand what's going on,' Popp said. I have no idea what to say. I genuinely have no idea.'
With Morocco beating Colombia in the other Group H match, Germany were left in third and exited the World Cup with just four points from their three matches.
Germany pushed and pushed deep into stoppage time in an effort to find the one goal they needed, only to be met by a resolute South Korea defence.
As the final whistle blew some of Germany's players stood motionless while others collapsed to the ground in disappointment as tears flowed.
The Germans, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second in the world, had needed a win to be sure of progressing.
Germany failed to advance from the group stage of a World Cup for the first time
Skipper Alexandra Popp was stunned by the team's 1-1 draw with South Korea
It was the second consecutive game they failed to win after losing to Colombia
By TUM BALOGUN FOR MAILONLINE
UPDATED: 3 August 2023
Germany captain Alexandra Popp has been left stunned by the country's shocking exit at the group stage of the Women's World Cup following a 1-1 draw with South Korea on Thursday.
The world No 2 ranked side, who made the final of the Euros last year, lost their second group game against Colombia, but were still in a strong position to qualify heading into the match after beating Morocco 6-0 in their opening group fixture.
However, they fell behind early on when Cho So-hyun scored in the sixth minute.
Popp equalised for Germany with a powerful header just before half time, but the European giants couldn't find a winner after the break, despite the game running for an incredible 107 minutes.
The Wolfsburg goal machine was shocked by the events that led to the nation's first-ever exit at the opening round of the tournament and struggled to make sense of the failure.
Alexandra Popp was left stunned by Germany's failure at the group stage of the World Cup
Cho Sohyun fired South Korea into a shock lead, piling the pressure on heavily-favoured rival
Alexandra Popp restored parity but they needed another and it didn't arrive in 107 minutes
German press slam 'disgraceful' exit from the Women's World Cup
South Africa's matchwinner reveals loss during the Women's World Cup
7.8k viewing now
'I don't entirely understand what's going on,' Popp said. I have no idea what to say. I genuinely have no idea.'
With Morocco beating Colombia in the other Group H match, Germany were left in third and exited the World Cup with just four points from their three matches.
Germany pushed and pushed deep into stoppage time in an effort to find the one goal they needed, only to be met by a resolute South Korea defence.
As the final whistle blew some of Germany's players stood motionless while others collapsed to the ground in disappointment as tears flowed.
The Germans, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second in the world, had needed a win to be sure of progressing.
Second-ranked Germany eliminated in group stage of Women's World Cup after 1-1 draw with South Korea
By MOLLY LEE
By MOLLY LEE
Associated Press
AUGUST 3, 2023
BRISBANE, Australia — Two-time champion Germany failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time ever at the Women's World Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea in a tense group finale.
Morocco's 1-0 win over Colombia in Perth added pressure on a German team that then needed to beat South Korea in Brisbane to advance. The last two group-stage games of the tournament kicked off simultaneously Thursday night on opposite sides of Australia.
Germany pushed forward in search of the winning goal, knowing the equation required to advance. Led by the head of captain Alexandra Popp, the Germans created numerous scoring opportunities but couldn't find the winner.
Colombia finished atop Group H and Morocco took second place with six points, a remarkable turnaround after being routed 6-0 by Germany in its debut game at the tournament. No. 2-ranked Germany, finalists at the 2022 Euros, finished with four points.
KEY MOMENTS
South Korea struck in the sixth minute when a defense-splitting pass from Lee Young-ju found Cho So-hyun, who produced a calm finish after a perfectly timed run into open space.
In the 42nd, Popp equalized for Germany with a towering header off a cross from Svenja Huth.
Germany chased the winning goal throughout the second half. The Germans had a would-be winning goal from Popp overturned by VAR in the 57th. Just a few minutes later, Popp went close to scoring with another header but was denied by the crossbar.
Germany's final scoring opportunities came in the 11th and 12th minutes of stoppage time when two shots from Sydney Lohmann missed wide and high.
WHY IT MATTERS
Germany, the second-ranked team in the world, failed to advance from the group stage for the first time in nine appearances in the Women's World Cup.
South Korea finished in last place in the group with one point but can take away something from the tournament after holding the two-time champions to a draw.
'We need time to process' - says Germany captain Popp after World Cup exit
Soccer |
'We really earned that point.' Bell after South Korea hold Germany to 1-1 draw
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"They have a lot more in them" Germany cautious over South Korea ahead of Thursday's group finale
Morocco train ahead of final Group H match against Colombia
Soccer |
Germany train ahead of crucial clash with South Korea
Soccer |
"It's historic" - Colombia players thrilled after 2-1 victory over Germany at WWC
Soccer
South Korea train ahead of facing Germany in their final Group H game
Soccer |
'We're better than we've shown so far,' Bell as South Korea prepare to face Germany
Soccer |
"Linda Caicedo is 100% fit for Morocco" - Colombia coach Abadia
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
''We need some time to process what has happened and to be able to find some confidence again. At this stage, we know that our squad is good, but we were not good enough in these last two games.'' — Alexandra Popp, Germany forward.
WHAT'S NEXT
As third and fourth place finishers in the group, Germany and South Korea will each be heading home.
Colombia will face Jamaica in Melbourne, while Morocco will head to Adelaide to take on France in the round-of-16.
ADVERTISEMENT
___
Molly Lee is a student at the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.
___
AP Women's World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
BRISBANE, Australia — Two-time champion Germany failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time ever at the Women's World Cup after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea in a tense group finale.
Morocco's 1-0 win over Colombia in Perth added pressure on a German team that then needed to beat South Korea in Brisbane to advance. The last two group-stage games of the tournament kicked off simultaneously Thursday night on opposite sides of Australia.
Germany pushed forward in search of the winning goal, knowing the equation required to advance. Led by the head of captain Alexandra Popp, the Germans created numerous scoring opportunities but couldn't find the winner.
Colombia finished atop Group H and Morocco took second place with six points, a remarkable turnaround after being routed 6-0 by Germany in its debut game at the tournament. No. 2-ranked Germany, finalists at the 2022 Euros, finished with four points.
KEY MOMENTS
South Korea struck in the sixth minute when a defense-splitting pass from Lee Young-ju found Cho So-hyun, who produced a calm finish after a perfectly timed run into open space.
In the 42nd, Popp equalized for Germany with a towering header off a cross from Svenja Huth.
Germany chased the winning goal throughout the second half. The Germans had a would-be winning goal from Popp overturned by VAR in the 57th. Just a few minutes later, Popp went close to scoring with another header but was denied by the crossbar.
Germany's final scoring opportunities came in the 11th and 12th minutes of stoppage time when two shots from Sydney Lohmann missed wide and high.
WHY IT MATTERS
Germany, the second-ranked team in the world, failed to advance from the group stage for the first time in nine appearances in the Women's World Cup.
South Korea finished in last place in the group with one point but can take away something from the tournament after holding the two-time champions to a draw.
'We need time to process' - says Germany captain Popp after World Cup exit
Soccer |
'We really earned that point.' Bell after South Korea hold Germany to 1-1 draw
Soccer |
"They have a lot more in them" Germany cautious over South Korea ahead of Thursday's group finale
Morocco train ahead of final Group H match against Colombia
Soccer |
Germany train ahead of crucial clash with South Korea
Soccer |
"It's historic" - Colombia players thrilled after 2-1 victory over Germany at WWC
Soccer
South Korea train ahead of facing Germany in their final Group H game
Soccer |
'We're better than we've shown so far,' Bell as South Korea prepare to face Germany
Soccer |
"Linda Caicedo is 100% fit for Morocco" - Colombia coach Abadia
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
''We need some time to process what has happened and to be able to find some confidence again. At this stage, we know that our squad is good, but we were not good enough in these last two games.'' — Alexandra Popp, Germany forward.
WHAT'S NEXT
As third and fourth place finishers in the group, Germany and South Korea will each be heading home.
Colombia will face Jamaica in Melbourne, while Morocco will head to Adelaide to take on France in the round-of-16.
ADVERTISEMENT
___
Molly Lee is a student at the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.
___
AP Women's World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup
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