Germany book their place in quarter-finals of World Cup but VAR debate dominates again in victory over Nigeria
Germany became the first nation to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup but the VAR debate dominated again in their 3-0 win over Nigeria.
The Germans have now qualified for the last eight at every edition of the tournament and this is the third time they have done so without conceding a goal.
However, there was some controversy over Alexandra Popp's 20th-minute opener on her 100th appearance.
The unmarked striker headed home a corner from four yards out but the goal was referred to the video assistant referee as Svenja Huth, in an offside position, was in front of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
However, on-field referee Yoshimi Yamashita deemed Huth was not interfering.
The Japanese official then required VAR to come to her aid just before the half-hour as her original decision to award a throw-in was overturned in favour of a penalty as Evelyn Nwabuoku had caught Lina Magull with her follow-through from a clearance.
Former England defender Laura Bassett told BBC Two referees were using VAR as a "comfort blanket" but it made little difference to Sara Dabritz, who converted from the spot for her third goal in as many games.
Germany defender Giulia Gwinn's booking for a feisty challenge was then checked for a case of mistaken identity as VAR continued to be heavily involved.
Seven minutes from time Lea Schuller added the third, capitalising on some loose Nigeria possession with a clinical, first-time finish.
FULL TIME - Germany 3-0 Nigeria
The Germans showed why they were favourites as they ultimately eased into the quarter-finals. They were never really tested by the Nigerians, but for all their success so far - no goals yet conceded, four wins out of four - there is a sense that they are yet to be tested. They make it to the last eight for a record eighth time but you suspect they will need to find another gear when they face either Sweden or Canada in the next round.
90 + 1 mins - Germany 3-0 Nigeria
90 mins - Germany 3-0 Nigeria
Desire Oparanozie goes very close to scoring what would have been the dictionary definition of a consolation goal. The striker fires just over the bar from a free kick 25 yards out.
87 mins - Germany 3-0 Nigeria
As if to emphasize that the game is petering out, there are several pigeons who are wandering on the pitch completely unaware that there is a World Cup knockout clash taking place around them.
81 mins - GOAL! Germany 3-0 Nigeria
And that is that...Lea Schuller marks her first World Cup start with a brilliantly taken goal. The Essen striker has had a quiet match but shows her ability in front of goal as she latches onto the ball on the edge of the area to hit a first-time strike into the far corner - a brilliant striker's finish. Germany are into the quarter-finals.
79 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Sara Dabritz has a golden chance to make it 3-0 and put this game to bed. The Bayern Munich - soon to be PSG - star has the freedom of Grenoble in the Nigeria box, but is unable to find the target with a lacklustre left-foot shot.
75 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria have caused Germany a couple of scares but bar that they haven't looked threatening enough and this match is meandering to what was, in hindsight, a predictable German victory. The past five minutes have seen very little action and it somewhat of a shock that the crowd has yet to resort to a Mexican Wave in a bid to entertain themselves.
70 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
At times it has been a bit of a scrappy affair in Grenoble.
65 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Time is running out for Nigeria here. Germany are all too happy to slow the game down when in possession and the match is just going through the motions at the moment. The fact that Lina Mcgull, who has been one of the best players so far, has been subbed suggests the Europeans think they have this match already won.
62 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
If Nigeria are to get back into the match then you suspect it will be down to Rasheedat Ajibade. The teenager has been very direct since she came on at half-time and once again works some space down the left before the move breaks down.
58 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
55 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria are at least asking some questions of the Germans now. They still lack composure and class in the final third but at least the are reasons to be optimistic if you are a fan of the Super Eagles.
52 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
That's more like it from the Super Eagles. Sub Rasheedat Ajibade powers down the left before putting in a shot-com- cross which Desire Oparanozie is inches away from getting on the end of. That was brilliant from the teenager and the sort of direct approach they need to show more of if they are to get a goal and back into the match.
47 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria have seen much of the ball in the opening exchanges of the second period, but they need more urgency in possession. They just cannot create any chances and it looks all too easy for Germany to hold them at bay. As with the first-half they haven't capitalised on any set-pieces and that has to chance if they are to get back into the match.
46 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Germany have reached the quarter-finals of every World Cup so far, can Nigeria spring what will be a HUGE shock in the second-half?
HALF TIME - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
The Germans are understandably happy, they are looking comfortable and it will take some effort from the Super Eagles to wipe the smiles off the Europeans' faces.
HALF TIME - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
In the last minute of the first period Uchenna Kanu has a decent shout for handball turned down in the Germany area, but overall Nigeria will be disappointed with the first 45 minutes. Germany did not look that fluent or dangerous - a familiar problem with the favourites during the group stage - but they did not have to be.
While they are just two goals down Nigeria will feel they have a chance to get back into the match, but they have to get on the ball more often and put the Germany defence under pressure. On the evidence of the first 45 minutes that seems unlikely.
44 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
3 - Sara Däbritz is the first German player to score in three consecutive #FIFAWWC games since Birgit Prinz (5 in a row in 2003). Magic. #GER#GERNGA
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 22, 2019
42 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
The pace has dropped off, it's hot and there is a sense that Germany have taken their foot off the pedal thanks to their two-goal cushion.
40 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria are trying to get some sort of foothold in this game but without any luck. They've seen a bit more of the ball over the past five minutes but are yet to threaten Almuth Schult in the German goal.
Sara's great strike
After 30 minutes it's clear why the European side were hot favourites to go though to the last-eight in France.
32 mins - Germany 2-0 Nigeria
If Nigeria are to find a way back into the match they have to get hold of the ball better in midfield and then try and pressure the sometimes questionable German defence. That looks until at the moment, Germany have had 66 percent possession and look in complete control at the moment.
27 mins - GOAL! Germany 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria's task has just got even tougher. A reckless challenge from Evelyn Nwabuoku on Lina Magull - which looked horredous in the slow-motion replay - gifts Germany a penalty and a chance to virtually put the game to bed in the first quarter.
Sara Dabritz makes no mistake from 12 yards to double the European's advantage after just 25 minutes., firing left-footed right into the bottom corner.
Nigeria up against it
20 mins - GOAL! Germany 1-0 Nigeria
Ball fizzed in at pace and Alexandra Popp heads in from close range. It was an instinctive finish, doubtless surprised that the ball reached her from the corner. The German veteran did not have to even jump to get on the end of the set-piece, poor defending from the Africans having been dogged up until then.
15 mins - Germany 0-0 Nigeria
On her 100th appearance for Germany Alexandra Popp fires in a great left-foot shot which is once again blocked by an increasingly overworked Nigeria defence. The Super Eagles have made a number of fine last-ditched tackles and blocks. It looks like they will have to continue putting their bodies on the line if they are to keep Popp and Co. at bay much longer.
10 mins - Germany 0-0 Nigeria
Nigeria are playing a bit of a dangerous game, playing a high line they are leaving space for the Germans to exploit. Still no real chances created however, but there's a sense that it's only a matter of time until the favourites make the Super Eagles pay for their bravery.
5 mins - Germany 0-0 Nigeria
Lina Magull finds space in the Nigeria box from a free-kick, faints before Osinache Ohale makes a great block in the six-yard box. Germany are beginning to see more of the ball and looking more confident with every minute.
2 mins - Germany 0-0 Nigeria
A confident start from Nigeria. They work the ball down the right to win an early corner. From the resulting set-piece Fransisca Ordega turns and shoots straight into the arms of Almuth Schult in the German goal.
The anthems have been sung...
The knockout stages are underway, can Nigeria create the second round's first shock?
Super Eagles ready to swoop and spring a surprise
Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby knows his side are up against it but has warned the Germans his side has what it takes to stun the favourites.
"We have to be as good as defence as we were against Franace. But if we can be patient we can create some opportunities to score," the Swede said.
Oshoala out...
Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala has picked up a bug and starts on the bench for Nigeria today. She would have posed a threat for the Super Eagles with her power and pace. Oparanozie and Ihezuo start upfront in her absence.
"Room for improvement"
Carolin Simon says confidence in the Germany camp is high but insisted they are taking nothing for granted.
"We have a lot of room for improvement, we've got to build on the group stage," the defender said.
German young guns in the spotlight
Germany have grown over the group stage. They stumbled in the first match against China but still got the win. The average age of the side is just 25, and even though they are yet to concede the defence has looked exposed at times by pace, something the Nigerians do not lack.
The fans are ready for the first knockout clash of the tournament
Germany are expected to beat Nigeria this afternoon, they are unbeaten in 15 matches and are definitely a team to watch. But first they have to see off the threat of the Super Eagles.
The teams have been announced...
TEAM NEWS | #GERNGA ��������
The teams have been announced in Grenoble...
Thoughts on the selections? pic.twitter.com/YqlL7x1L38— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 22, 2019
Match preview
So after 36 matches, 106 goals and yet more debate about VAR we are down from 24 teams to 16 at the Women's World Cup. Yes, it's knockout time in France and the second round kicks off with Germany facing Nigeria in Grenoble.
The Germans come into the clash as favourites and justifiably so. The two-time World Champions sailed through the first round beating Spain, China and South Africa to finish top of Group B. Yet to concede a goal Nigeria, who failed to score in two of their group matches, are not expected to pose too much threat to both Germany's defence and winning run. But the Africans have a point to prove. After qualifying by the skin of their teeth, the most dominant force in African football will want to cause an upset and with Germany's key player Dzenifer Marozsan out injured after she broke a toe during the 1-0 win over China Nigeria can grab on to a crumb of comfort.
Indeed, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side are not taking Nigeria lightly with the coach describing them as a “tough nut to crack” . “We know they are a difficult team,” Voss-Tecklenburg said. “Africans teams are always difficult to play against, they are fast and have a strong physical presence.”
For Nigeria the hope will be that they find an extra gear having just scraped through as one of the four best-placed third teams. The Super Falcons were on the brink of an early exit when Chile were awarded a penalty in their match against Thailand. Already 2-0 up the South Americans needed just one more goal to progress to the knockout stages. But they missed that spot-kick and Nigeria rejoiced.
The size of the task facing them today, however, has not been lost on their coach Thomas Dennerby. "Germany have a fantastic team and what they do they do well," he said. "We will have to go to our limit to beat them."
In Marozsan's absence Germnay will be banking on Giulia Gwinn continuing her fine form. The teenage star got the winner against China and has the potential to light up the knockout stages in France.
For Nigeria the hope will be that they can find space in behind the dominant Germany backline and unsettle the favourites.
