Germany have been sent crashing out at the group stage of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after a 1-1 draw with South Korea in their final Group H match on Thursday.
Germany, champions in 2003 and 2007 and ranked second in the world, had needed a win to be sure of progressing, but Morocco‘s surprise 1-0 win over Colombia in the other Group H match sent the European powerhouse out of the tournament.
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Korea took an early lead when Cho So-hyun netted in the sixth minute but, while forward Alexandra Popp equalised with a trademark header three minutes before the interval, Germany were unable to find the winner needed to advance.
Casey Phair, who became the Women’s World Cup’s youngest-ever player earlier in the tournament, almost gave Korea the lead when the 16-year-old saw her second-minute effort pushed onto the post by goalkeeper Merle Frohms.
Colin Bell’s side had to wait only four more minutes to strike, however, when Lee Young-ju’s pass from deep split the German defence and the unmarked Cho calmly slotted her first-time shot into the bottom corner.
Germany were frustrated by the hard-pressing Koreans, but in the 42nd minute the former champions levelled as Popp outjumped the defence to meet Svenja Huth’s right wing…
