Thank you for joining me! Here’s to the knockout stages.
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South Korea boss Colin Bell: “That was a magnificent performance - one of the best the girls have produced since I’ve been in charge. I’m so proud of them and the courage they showed. Germany are always dangerous and when Popp equalised I think everyone would have thought we’d crumbs in the second half but we dug even deeper.”
Here is Suzanne Wrack’s report.
Will Popp carry on? Will Voss-Tecklenburg be forced out? I suspect Germany will be having a root and branch review now.
The group stage is over and it has been pretty fun. The main thing to take away from it is the closing of the gap between nations, which is an important step and the reason why so many big nations have been dumped out.
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Having to read out latest edition of Moving the Goalposts? Check it out right here.
“No doubt certain TV executives are mourning the fact that Germany, Brazil, and possibly The USA are exciting early,” suggests Mary Waltz. “How can we sell this? Watch the play. Morocco and South Korea playing so heroically. Morocco crying on the pitch after winning. South Korea, with nothing to play for, sacrificing their bodies to beat mighty Germany. These Women are amazing athletes, and their hearts are so BIG!”
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Another frustrating end to a tournament for Popp. She is just stood on the pitch shaking her head.
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Credit to Colin Bell for bringing on Park to mark Popp out the game. She, I think, managed one head after the substitution but was otherwise taken out of the game, leaving Germany with limited threat. Kim barely had to make a save all game.
There are German and Morocco tears right now but with varying degrees of happiness.
Germany are understandably crestfallen but the scenes on the pitch at the other match are very enjoyable. Morocco are rightly loving life.
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Full-time: South Korea 1-1 Germany
GERMANY ARE OUT OF THE WORLD CUP!
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90+16 mins: Lohmann is tackled on the edge of the box and South Korea whack it as far away as possible.
Chaos in the South Korea box as they head and nudge the ball away. Eventually they win a free-kick to end the Germany attack.
90+15 mins: Morocco beat Colombia. Germany need a goal here!
90+14 mins: Germany have a free-kick inside the South Korea box. They lump it into the box … South Korea get a head on it and clear.
Moon looks to take the ball towards the Germany box but Hegering catches her. Germany survive.
90+12 mins: South Korea are scrapping to the very end here. German players are under pressure whenever they receive the ball. Lohmann once again does well to earn space for a shot but her drive from 18 yards is always rising over the bar.
90+11 mins: Frohms lumps it up … it eventually reaches Lohmann, who twists and turns to earn some space, before firing wide from 20 yards or so. She claims it is a corner but the goalkeeper does not get a touch.
90+10 mins: Ji lines up the free-kick. There is no lumping it for the corner here but unfortunately she whacks it into her teammates face and it goes for a goal-kick. Not the best set-piece you will ever see.
90+9 mins: Kang is coming on for goalscorer Cho, who requires a stretcher.
90+6 mins: Germany are now in full launching it mode. There is moment of confusion between South Korea defenders and goalkeeper as the ball bounces towards the box but Kim does come to claim to calm the nerves.
South Korea get a free-kick on the edge of the box after Hegering kicks Cho in the ribs. It is a high boot and she deserves a booking. Yet more treatment for a South Korean. Will they shoot from the resulting free-kick?
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90+4 mins: Ji is getting some ice to the head and other treatment. We are accumulating more time added on here.
90+3 mins: Ji is absolutely clattered by Hendrich but the referee waves it away. That is a definite foul because the German defender gets nowhere near the ball. Not sure what the referee did not see.
90+1 mins: We have nine minutes added on and it will be a while before they are concluded. Expect 12, I would say.
Germany are currently heading out.
90 mins: Goalkeeper Kim slides out to claim an errant through ball. Popp clips her on the way past, allowing Kim to waste a lot of time. Speaking of which …
“Not happy with South Korea’s blatant time-wasting here,” says Beau Dure. “Sure, a draw would be impressive, but a win would be amazing.
”Of course, we have to ask — can any team in this competition break through a bunker?”
89 mins: Kim is down after a robust Oberdorf challenge and needs more treatment. She is limping to the sidelines.
“Got to say Korea’s tactics are reassuringly simple,” emails Tor Turner. “They’re being outskilled, but they’re just bundling it through - playing physical, getting numbers back behind defence, and the outrageously simple notion of putting a really tall player in charge of marking the aerially-inclined Popp. Proof that even if you CAN bend it like Beckham, it won’t go in if there are 8 players stood on the goal line.”
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88 mins: South Korea have the ball just outside the Germany box. They feel Cho is fouled but the referee disagrees.
87 mins: “I flip back and forth between the two matches,” says Mary Waltz. “South Korea and Morocco are both hanging on under desperate pressure from Germany and Colombia. The tension is so delicious.”
86 mins: Moon is on for South Korea to replace Phair. They do need some fresh legs on.
84 mins: Germany are looking frustrated on the pitch and Hendrich needlessly takes down Ji on the halfway with South Korea going nowhere.
Kim gets a whack on the head in her own box from Lattwein and needs a bit of R&R.
Anyomi replaces Brand for Germany.
82 mins: Everyone in red is behind the ball whenever Germany get possession and they are unable to break South Korea down. There are a few side to side passes as the look to move South Korea around but it is not working.
I think South Korea are too tired to break.
80 mins: Ji lifts a free-kick into the box, it bounces around and Germany eventually clear it after a few failed attempts.
78 mins: We are getting a lot of shots of nervous German substitutes with their heads in their hands.
76 mins: It is all Germany – and it has been for a while but South Korea are just about holding on. There is a lot of hoofing the ball clear but it keeps coming back.
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74 mins: Another chance for Popp! A deep cross is sent into the box for the German to attack but her header fails.
Phair is giving what she can leading the press but at 16, she unsurprisingly looks a bit tired at this point.
72 mins: South Korea have a corner! Park goes up from her new position as an auxiliary centre-back. Ji swings it in from the left … it looks like it is heading straight in but it just flies past the far post. Frohms gets a little touch but the referee does not spot it.
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70 mins: The cramp is already kicking in for South Korea. Cho is the first to need a stretch and some fluids.
“Will, greetings from California,” emails Mary Waltz. “Slept through my alarm and I wake up to find Germany tied, Colombia losing to Morocco. What an amazing tournament this has become. The very notion that Germany could be eliminated in group is stunning. And fantastic entertainment. The World Turned Upside down indeed.”
68 mins: Park Eun-sun who recently came on for midfielder Chun is actually a 6ft striker. She has been given the intriguing task of marking Popp to stop her winning every header in the box. I am a huge fan of this idea.
66 mins: Just a little reminder … Germany are currently heading out of the tournament.
64 mins: Oberdorf tries to drive Germany forward but is taken down inside the centre circle.
Park replaces Chun for South Korea.
Buhl and Däbritz off, Lohmann and Lattwein on for Germany.
62 mins: Germany whip in a corner from the left towards the back post but it goes straight out of play for a throw.
Germany and South Korea are preparing changes.
60 mins: Huth lifts a cross into the box for Popp to attack and she wins it with ease but heads the ball against the crossbar.
56 mins: NO GOAL! There is a lot going on here. The ball is dinked into the box by Däbritz to Schüller, who flicks the ball up in the air with her heel in the direction of the net and Popp bundles a header home. She heads up in the back of the net after clattering into the goalkeeper and needs treatment. The flag goes up for offside and VAR, eventually, agrees. Oooof
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55 mins: Jang is tripped by Huth near the touchline and South Korea are allowed to catch their breath. They have barely left their half since the break.
53 mins: Popp gets a whack in the back of the head when challenging for the ball around 35 yards from goal. It looks a soft one but Popp does seem in discomfort in the neck area.
51 mins: Buhl cuts in from the left and takes on a few in red before looking to let fly but she is closed down. The dribbling does at least get the crowd excited.
49 mins: Schüller drifts a cross to the back post towards Popp but Lee stretches to hook it clear before the Germany forward can do any damage.
A cross comes in from the other side and it is jabbed over the bar by Popp.
47 mins: Some early needle as Lee pushes over Huth for no good reason with the ball going out for a goal-kick.
Second half
Here we go again! This will be an intriguing 45 minutes.
Bonus half-time reading!
Half-time reading.
In the other match in the group, Morocco are leading 1-0 at the break against Colombia. This means Morocco and Colombia are going through, while Germany and South Korea are heading out. It’s all fun and games.
Half-time: South Korea 1-1 Germany
Germany have enjoyed the ball for the majority of the first half and deserved their equaliser but this is a long way from being a vintage side. South Korea are well organised but lack a cutting edge.
45+2 mins: Phair shows a few tricks on the touchline, which irks Germany, so they surround her to win it back.
45 mins: Three minutes added on.
44 mins: Popp scored two headers in Germany’s opening win over Morocco. She is arguably the best in the air in the women’s game, which South Korea have found to their cost.
Germany are currently heading through if things stay the same.
GOAL! South Korea 1-1 Germany (Popp, 42)
Germany do work it out to the right and a wonderful cross is played into the box by Huth. Popp attacks it, rises above the defender and heads home into the corner.
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40 mins: Germany are looking to work it wide but with limited success.
38 mins: Ji decides South Korea have not had a shot for a while, so takes aim from 30 yards – it starts to dip but not in time and sails over.
36 mins: Shock horror: Frohms is OK after some medical attention.
35 mins: Germany goalkeeper Frohms is sitting on the deck and holding her left leg as she awaits the physios. It might just be an attempt to let her team have a breather and get some instructions from the sidelines. Or am I just being cynical?
34 mins: “I live in Australia,” says Phil Withall, “the fact the World Cup is being staged here is massive. The viewing figures for free to air broadcasts have been incredible (over 4 million for some games). However, the majority of matches are hidden away behind a pay wall, meaning most people (including those visiting for the tournament) are restricted in what games they can see.
“Shouldn’t it become mandatory for host nations to provide free broadcasts of all games as part of the hosting rights? A huge opportunity missed.”
I do find that pretty strange from Australia. One of the things the UK gets right is ring fencing these events to make sure they are free-to air.
32 mins: Frank Lee emails re the South Korea goal: “God knows where the Germany defence were, but, frankly, who cares?”
“Franklee speaking, Will, I do. After England’s men lost to Iceland in 2016 I finally got around to acquiring German citizenship in the hope of having a team of either gender with a realistic chance of becoming world champions.
”What happened at the next World Cup? Germany crash out a) on my birthday, just like the Iceland game and b) against South Korea. With all legal attempts to claim back the 230 euros citizenship fee falling flat on their face as quickly as the Qatari men’s defence, I’m stuck with my investment. So yes, Will, this franklee does care.”
Could you consider Colombian citizenship?
30 mins: South Korea are working hard with their press and Germany are struggling to come up with new ideas.
28 mins: Chun lunges in on Buhl with a studs up challenge but does get the ball. It is a touch reckless but the referee sees it as just part of the game.
26 mins: Despite South Korea’s back three becoming a five whenever Germany get the ball, there is still space to exploit. Germany will be keen to get Däbritz on the ball more in dangerous areas to make the most of this.
24 mins: It was always upsetting as I got older than footballers were becoming younger than me. Now I am at the age with players like Casey Phair where I am more than old enough to be their father.
There are some South Korea fans in Santa hats. Is there a reason behind this?
22 mins: There is still a good chance Germany can get out of this group but I would not back them to get any further than the last 16 with this lineup.
20 mins: Buhl whips in a dangerous cross from the left but it is inches ahead of Popp, who can only watch it drift wide.
Huth controls the ball on her arm near the touchline but nothing is given, much to South Korea’s chagrin.
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18 mins: A couple moments of panic in the Germany box and they struggle to clear their lines, mainly caused by miscommunication. I am not sure the centre-backs have met one another before.
16 mins: The ball bounces across the South Korea box but it gathers speed off the surface and Buhl’s eventually header is not a good one. Germany are dominating possession here and looking dangerous, especially in wide areas.
14 mins: Germany are certainly in the match now and South Korea’s aim should be to not panic.
Buhl lifts a free-kick to the back post where Hegering is waiting but the cross has too much on it and she can only flick the ball wide.
12 mins: Voss-Tecklenburg is out of her seat and patrolling the technical area. She must know that things need to improve.
Germany come alive through Buhl. Popp finds Schüller, who dinks a ball over the top for Buhl to latch onto. She takes a touch but cannot get any power or direction behind her shot.
Moment later Brand thinks she has a chance to level but Kim slides in at the last second to end the attack.
10 mins: Hegering needlessly heads the ball out for a corner because no one in a white shirt bothers to tell her to leave it. South Korea’s set-piece does not work out and the danger is eventually removed.
8 mins: As previously mentioned, Germany look really nervous and their defence is all over the place. If things stay the same in the group, Germany are heading out.
GOAL! South Korea 1-0 Germany (Cho, 6)
A slick pass through the middle of the Germany defence reaches an unmarked Cho. She keeps her cool and slides the ball into the corner. God knows where the Germany defence were, but, frankly, who cares?
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4 mins: Sixteen-year-old Phair should put South Korea ahead. She latches onto a pass after some poor Germany defending but Frohms is out quickly to push Phair’s shot from close range onto the post. Germany look a little nervous here, while South Korea look devoid of pressure.
2 mins: South Korea gift possession to Popp around 30 yards from goal. She gets the ball out of her feet and takes aim but her shot lacks pace and is gobbled up by the goalkeeper.
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Kick-off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
The players are out on the pitch and belting out the anthems with gusto.
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South Korea fans are not too worried about their struggles.
There are plenty of doom mongers when it comes to Germany and Lena Lattwein is aiming to prove them wrong today.
“I think it’s so important to stay positive,” midfielder Lattwein said. “We’re very focused as a team and hold ourselves to the highest standard. That goes for each and every one of us, both individually and collectively.
“At the same time, we know it’s good for us to cut ourselves a little slack. We need to laugh and have fun to make sure we can get into our flow and take our love of the game out onto the pitch with us.”
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South Korea are managed by Englishman Colin Bell, who was hoping for a better tournament. Instead he has overseen two defeats in as many games.
“The expectation when you come to a World Cup is obviously to perform at a top level, and unfortunately we’ve not been able to show that consistently,” Bell said.
“What’s missing for us in those two games is that one success moment, that goal, just to break that duck. I think that has been missing – that one action to really show and prove that we are good enough. I know that the players are good enough but it has been very disappointing.”
The great Karen Carney on the great Alexandra Popp.
Starting lineups
South Korea (3-5-2): J Kim; H Kim, Y Lee, S Shim; H Choo, G Chun, S Ji, S Cho, S Jang; Y Choe, Phair.
Subs: Y Yoon, J Ryu, H Hong, Y Kim, S Lim, H Son, G Lee, M Moon, E Park, E Jeon, Y Bae, C Kang
Germany (4-2-3-1): Frohms; Hagel, Hegering, Hendrich, Huth; Oberdorf, Däbritz; Bühl, Brand, Schüller; Popp
Subs: Berger, Johannes, Kleinherne, Lohmann, Freigang, Lattwein, Nuesken, Anyomi, Rauch, Leupolz, Mogul, Doorsun
Preamble
Germany are aiming to avoid the embarrassment of being knocked out at the group stage. After starting off with a 6-0 win over Morocco, they slumped to a shock defeat against Colombia, leaving them, realistically, needing a result today. South Korea are their opponents, winless and pointless from their two games but they are a better side than that suggests.
The experience of Alexandra Popp could be crucial for this young German side because she will not want to bow out with a whimper after last summer’s heartbreak in the Euros when she missed the final because of an injury suffered in the warmup.
South Korea have had a poor tournament and will have expected to challenge to get out of the group, so will be desperate to end on a high note of any sort.
A win would guarantee progression for Germany and they will not settle for anything less.
Here’s to a cracker.
Kick-off: 11am BST/10pm NZST/8pm AEST game.
