Germany claim second win as Spain’s threat undone by soft goal, France also on six points despite a Wendie Renard own-goal against Norway, Nigeria nudge South Korea close to elimination.
Group B
Germany beat battling Spain
Most of the game stats in Valenciennes favoured Spain but it was the all-important goals column in which Germany led.
Germany again offered up chances to the opposition but Las Rojas failed to take advantage, too often firing wide of the target.
Sandra Paños parried an Alexandra Popp header before the break and it looked like Marta would clear the ball at the far post but her hesitancy allowed Sara Dabritz to slide in and prod the ball home.
Plenty of possession, ball-winning and the odd dose of flair from Spain but Almuth Shult and her defence were not to be beaten.
Group A
Penalty puts France onto six points
Eugenie le Sommer spared Wendie Renard’s blushes with a penalty winner after the France captain had conceded a bizarre own-goal in front of a near-35,000 crowd.
The hosts were on top in the first half and Norway also contributed to an exciting encounter but seconds after the restart, Amel Majri’s cross was turned in by Valerie Gauvin.
Eight minutes later, Renard put Isabell Herlovsen’s cross into her own net.
Les Bleues were back in front again with 8 minutes left, Le Sommer scoring from the spot after Marion Torrent was fouled by Ingrid Syrstad Engen.
Group A
Oshoala seals victory for Nigeria
Asisat Oshoala doubled Nigeria’s lead in the second half of a good 2-0 win over South Korea.
The Koreans went behind to an unfortunate own-goal as Kim Do-yeon diverted a ball into the area past her own keeper. She was almost saved the embarrassment but Desire Oparanozie was judged by VAR not to have handled the ball on its way in.
Another big decision went against South Korea with an equaliser ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The result was made certain by a ‘proper’ quality goal though, with Oshoala sent away down the right before finishing from an acute angle.
