DFB women experience last-minute drama
The German soccer women missed the early leap into the round of 16 at the World Cup. After the 1:2 against Colombia they can still do it on their own.
Despite a last-second loss to Colombia, the DFB women’s World Cup campaign in New Zealand and Australia is still undefeated. The German team needs to defeat South Korea in the final group game (Thursday, 12 noon CEST/ZDF live) in order to advance after the 2-1 draw against the South Americans in Sydney.
German defense personnel are in short supply.
Chantal Hagel took over as left-back in the stricken German defense, replacing the injured regular Felicitas Rauch (sprained knee).
On her international tournament debut, the future Wolfsburg player did not face Colombia’s top talent Linda Caicedo as expected: the Real Madrid attacker, who had suffered a faint attack three days earlier in training, stormed on the left.
World Cup women | Lena Oberdorf’s voice is clearer.
Colombia took the lead with a header from Marja Ramirez, who narrowly missed the German goal in the eighth minute. The back four remained, despite the absence of defender Marina Hegering.
The DFB squad needed some time to adjust to the quick-witted Colombians. After half an hour, the Germans had their opponents under control – and Lena Oberdorf, who had been eagerly awaited, demonstrated why she is so important as a midfield clearer, disrupting the “Caféteras” play structure on numerous occasions.
Popp has a great chance to make it 1-0.
Alexandra Popp volleyed from a half-right position from eight yards out, but missed the goal.
Catalina Usme, on the other hand, presented Germany’s keeper Merle Frohms with a direct corner (45+6).
Colombia’s best player scores a dream goal.
Sara Doorsoun, the next defensive player on the DFB team, fell out at the start of the second half. She had to pass due to a tight muscle, and Sjoeke Nüsken came on for her (46′).
The German team had to regroup briefly before catching the 0:1. Svenja Huth and Sara Däbritz were let out by Linda Caicedo, who curled the ball into an unstoppable triangle (52nd minute).
The Germans were in need for an equalizer and were fortunate that Caicedo arrived too late in the 87th minute. The game would have ended otherwise.
Vanegas cheats the DFB women out of the draw
Two minutes later, Alexandra Popp successfully converted a penalty kick from Sara Däbritz to tie the game at one. The cold shower came in the seventh minute of stoppage time, when Manuela Vanegas headed in to make it 1:2.
