Norway hit Philippines for six, Switzerland grind out a goalless draw to send co-hosts New Zealand out, Morocco upset South Korea to keep their hopes alive, and Colombia stun Germany with a last gasp winner...
Report by Izzy Yard
Norway 6 Philippines 0
Embed from Getty ImagesNorway seem to have found their feet right in the nick of time at this tournament by smashing the Philippines to send them through to the last 16 – after fears they would finish bottom of the group.
Their first goal of the tournament came in the sixth minute through Sophia Roman Haug’s first of three goals, giving Norway just the start they were looking for.
The Philippines continually struggled to clear their lines, which consequently led to Román Haug’s second goal of the game only 10 minutes after her opener.
A Poor Philippines defence allowed space for Caroline Graham Hansen to drill the ball past Olivia McDaniel making the score 3-0 before half-time.
And it went from bad to worse for the Philippines in the second half with Alicia Barker scoring an own goal just three minutes in before giving away a penalty which was converted by Guro Reiten to make the score 5-0.
The Philippines just couldn’t seem to get hold of the ball and the onslaught continued with Sofia Nicole Dador Harrison being sent off only having just come on.
Román Haug sealed the deal in style with a hat-trick in stoppage time, sending the Philippines home and securing Norway’s place in the knockout stages.
New Zealand 0 Switzerland 0
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a disappointing final game for host nation New Zealand, failing to get a single shot on target in the opening 70 minutes as they were knocked out of the tournament.
It was an uneventful game with both teams failing to create many clear cut chances in the final third.
The Ferns did come close to taking the lead with a decent effort from Jacqui Hand but it unfortunately hit the post.
It was pretty much the same story in the second half with few attempts on goal from both teams. The game finished in a goalless tie which is all Switzerland needed to proceed to the last 16, while New Zealand crash out of the tournament after Norway smashed the Philippines.
This is the first time a host nation have exited the tournament before the knockout stages.
Morocco 1 South Korea 0
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a shock win for Morocco who are ranked just 72nd in the world with defender Nouhaila Benzina also making history by being the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup.
The Moroccan side stunned their opponents in the sixth minute with their first and only chance on goal in the first half, hitting the back of the net from a diving header by Ibtissam Jradi.
South Korea began to press hard for an equaliser however their chances were cleared well by Morocco’s back line and they struggled to hit the target.
South Korea had most of the ball in the second half, but still found it hard to break down Morocco in the final third and couldn’t find the all-important equaliser.
This historical win leaves South Korea on the brink of elimination and gives Morocco the opportunity to reach the last 16 with their final crucial match being against Colombia.
Colombia 2 Germany 1
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite a goalless first half, it wasn’t without its shots at goal with Alexandra Popp having the best chance of the match near the end of the half, but she wasted the opportunity by blasting the ball high and wide after it deflected nicely into her path.
Colombia, however, opened the scoring in the second half with an amazing goal from teenager Linda Caicedo who used her quick feet and skill to find space in the box and curled the ball into the top right hand corner.
Germany did not take their feet off the gas though, and that intent led to a penalty for Germany after Catalina Perez committed a late challenge. Captain Popp slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it even in the 89th minute.
It seemed as though both teams would be taking away a point but a cracking header in the dying moments of the game from Manuela Vanegas saw Colombia snatch victory and shocking the two-time world champions.
The south Americans now only need a point to top the group while Germany must win against South Korea in order to secure a place in the knockouts.
By Izzy Yard
