Host country France got the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup off to a big start, easily winning their opening Group A match to South Korea, 4-0. Germany defeated China 1-0 in the first match on Saturday.
How to watch today’s World Cup matches
- Norway vs. Nigeria, 3 p.m. | Reims (Fox)
Norway vs. Nigeria, 3 p.m.
Norway beat Nigeria in a decisive game Saturday that saw Guro Reiten deliver from the corner for Norway’s first goal in the 17th minute. A strike from Lisa-Marie Utland in the 33rd minute put Norway up 2-0. Mere minutes later, an own goal from Nigeria’s Osinachi Ohale gave Norway a 3-0 lead.
The last two Group A teams, Norway and Nigeria, played in Saturday’s final match. Ranked No. 12, Norway has qualified for every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament’s inception. They were runners up to the U.S. in 1991 and winners of the 1995 tournament.
Nigeria has also qualified for every Women’s World Cup. However, the No. 38 ranked “Super Falcons” have only advanced from the group stage once in 1993, falling to Brazil in the Quarter-finals.
Spain defeats South Africa 3-1
Spain defeated South Africa 3-1, though South Africa struck first in the 25th minute thanks to a curler from hembi Kgatlana. Spain responded in the 69th minute with a penalty kick from forward Jennifer Hermoso. A second penalty kick from Hermoso in the 82nd minute put Spain up 2-1. Seven minutes later, Lucia Garcia scored her first international goal.
The game marked South Africa’s first Women’s World Cup appearance. The team came in as an underdog and hadn’t won a match this year.
Led by Hermoso, 2019 marks Spain’s second appearance in the Women’s World Cup. They were knocked out of the group stage in 2015, only scoring two goals in their one draw and two losses. Saturday’s game was the team’s first Women’s World Cup win.
Germany defeats China, 1-0
Germany midfielder Giulia Gwinn scored the game’s only goal of the day, putting her club up 1-0 to defeat China on Saturday.
China midfielder Lou Jiahui left early with an injury and was replaced by Tan Ruyin. Germany had several chances to score but couldn’t secure a goal. Both teams seem to be increasingly frustrated as the match continues.
Germany is facing China for the first match in Group B. Ranked second in the FIFA world rankings, the Germans have participated in every single Women’s World cup, winning it in both 2003 and 2007. Germany fell to the U.S. Women in the semi-final match in the 2015 World Cup.
China is ranked No. 16 in the world. The 1999 runners-up are led by veteran forward Ma Xiaoxu, who has 61 goals in 152 appearances. They’ve faced Germany 30 times in International play, only winning eight of those matches.
2019 Women’s World Cup standings
Group A Standings
- France (1-0-0) 3 points
- Norway (1-0-0) 3 points
- Nigeria (0-0-1) 0 points
- South Korea (0-0-1) 0 points
Group B Standings
- Germany (1-0-0) 3 points
- Spain (1-0-0) 3 points
- China (0-1-0) 0 points
- South Africa (0-0-1) 0 points
