Today at the World Cup: Colombia shock Germany, co-hosts New Zealand knocked out

Jul 30, 2023 3 min read
Manuela Vargas struck in stoppage time as Germany suffered a rare group stage defeat the Women’s World Cup (Rick Rycroft/AP)
Manuela Vargas struck in stoppage time as Germany suffered a rare group stage defeat the Women’s World Cup (Rick Rycroft/AP)

Manuela Vanegas ripped up the script at the Women’s World Cup as her stoppage-time strike for Colombia condemned Germany to a shock 2-1 defeat.

Co-hosts New Zealand were knocked out of the tournament as they were held to a goalless draw by Switzerland, while Norway thrashed the Philippines 6-0 as Morocco edged out South Korea 1-0.

Here, Football Mad takes a look at all of today’s World Cup action.

Colombia stun Germany

WWCup Germany Colombia Soccer
It was Germany’s first group-stage defeat at a Women’s World Cup since 1995 (Mark Baerk/AP)

Germany suffered their first World Cup group stage defeat since 1995 in dramatic fashion in Sydney.

Real Madrid teenager Linda Caicedo’s outstanding strike gave Colombia a 52nd-minute lead, but Germany thought they had rescued a draw when Alexandra Popp scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

But Colombia shocked the two-time world champions when Vanegas headed in Leicy Santos’ corner deep into stoppage time.

It means Colombia need only a point from their final group game against Morocco to top the group, with Germany perhaps needing to beat South Korea to advance.

New Zealand go out

WWCup New Zealand Switzerland Soccer
New Zealand saluted their fans after their World Cup exit (Andrew Cornaga/AP)

The World Cup lost the first of its two co-hosts on Sunday as a goalless draw for New Zealand was not enough in Group A.

The Football Ferns had recorded an historic first win over Norway on the opening night of the tournament, but the stalemate in Wellington saw Switzerland top the group, while New Zealand were left level on points with Norway.

And Norway had a vastly superior goal difference after finishing their group campaign with a 6-0 win over the Philippines, with Sophie Roman Haug scoring a hat-trick.

Benzina makes history

WWCup South Korea Morocco Soccer
Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a head covering for religious reasons at a Women’s World Cup (James Elsby/AP)

Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup as she helped Morocco to a 1-0 win over South Korea.

Benzina, 25, made her first appearance of the tournament in her side’s final group game, which Morocco won thanks to Ibtissam Jraidi’s sixth-minute header – the nation’s first-ever Women’s World Cup win.

FIFA authorised the wearing of head coverings for religious reasons in 2014.

Post of the day

Quote of the day

Ali Riley thanks fans
New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley took the positives after they were knocked out (Andrew Cornaga/AP)

“There’s a lot of tears out there but they should be so proud, we fought really hard. There’s such disappointment but I want everyone to be proud of what we’ve achieved. I really think we’ve inspired the country. I hope little girls across New Zealand and the world now will start playing sport and feel they can achieve whatever they put their mind to” – New Zealand co-captain Ali Riley.

What’s up next

Group B: Canada v Australia (Melbourne, 11am)

Group B: Republic of Ireland v Nigeria (Brisbane, 11am)

Group C: Costa Rica v Zambia (Hamilton, 8am)

Group C: Japan v Spain (Wellington, 8am)

All times BST

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