Thanks to their clinical 2-0 triumph over an in-form Brazil side
which had set the tournament alight on their way to the final,
Germany successfully defended their FIFA Women's World Cup
crown to cement their reputation as powerhouses in the women's
game. In doing so, the ever-consistent Europeans became the first
team ever to retain the trophy, although this was just one of many
milestones achieved by the champions of China 2007.
This year's showdown between Germany and Brazil was the
first ever FIFA Women's World Cup final to be contested between
European and South American opponents. UEFA representatives
Germany, who entered the match with the tournament's best
defensive record having conceded no goals in their five previous
games, faced a free-scoring Brazil side which had netted 17 times
en route to the decider, including four against fellow title
contenders USA in the semi-finals.
A closely fought battle between defensive consistency and
attacking flair ultimately ended with a victory for the defending
champions. Under the guidance of head coach Silvia Neid, the German
juggernaut effectively took Jorge Barcellos' aces out of the
game. In particular, the holders kept a tight reign on their
opponents' linchpin striker Marta, who was unable to get a
clear shot on goal or link up effectively with her teammates.
Birgit Prinz' 52-minute strike dealt a telling blow to the
hopes of the challengers, who were subsequently forced onto the
back foot. Just 12 minutes later the South Americans looked to have
found a way back into the game when they were gifted a penalty.
However, 21-year-old Marta had her spot-kick saved and Simone
Laudehr went on to score a second goal for the holders on 86
minutes, putting paid to Brazil's hopes of a comeback.
Germany set a new tournament record by taking the world title
without conceding a single goal in six matches, an achievement
which owed much to the efficiency of a rearguard marshalled by
Nadine Angerer. A succession of outstanding performances by the
German stopper helped her break a record that had stood since the
1990 FIFA World Cup
™, when Italy's Walter
Zenga went 517 minutes without conceding a goal.
At the other end of the field, another record was being
chalked up by adidas Silver Ball winner Birgit Prinz. Having played
a key role in her side's 3-0 semi-final win over Norway,
Germany's top scorer became the first woman to appear in three
Finals. The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year previously led
her team to victory in the concluding match of the 2003 edition
having already seen her side lose to Norway in the 1995 instalment.
With her consistent finishing and ability to score match winners at
crucial times, the 29-year-old markswoman set a shining example to
the many up-and-coming young stars who emerged during the
tournament.
Brazil cement reputation
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this
year's FIFA Women's World Cup was the attacking flair of a
Brazil side inspired by talismanic forward Marta. The FIFA
Women's World Player of 2006 dazzled spectators with her
dribbling skills to clinch both the adidas Golden Shoe and Golden
Ball awards.
While a lack of experience perhaps cost them the world crown,
Brazil's exhilarating brand of football won them plaudits from
fans and experts like. The Auriverde were voted the
tournament's most entertaining team by FIFA.com users with
42.12 per cent of the vote, leaving champions Germany trailing in
their wake on 18 per cent. Although the
Canarinha lost the Final against the defending champions,
their attacking prowess was amply demonstrated in the match
statistics: 57 per cent possession, 14 shots on goal and five
corners.
Despite seeing their early two-goal advantage whittled away
by a tough Australia side in the quarter-finals, Cristiane fired in
a long-range winner on 75 minutes to set up a semi-final date with
USA. The Auriverde then demonstrated their devastating firepower to
full effect with a 4-0 win, earning themselves a first ever
appearance in the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup and
consigning the pre-tournament favourites to their heaviest defeat
in history. Marta's second goal in that match, a cheeky
backheel flick followed by a well-placed strike, became one of the
most replayed highlights of the tournament.
AFC stars hold their nerve
Judging by the powerful displays of teams such as
Korea DPR, Australia and England, the 16 participants in this
year's tournament proved to be more evenly matched than ever.
In particular, the four Asian qualifiers showed that they
have the mental strength to hold their nerve alongside the
world's best. Whether it was Korea DPR's spirit in coming
from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with USA, or Japan's last-minute
equaliser in the match against England, the AFC representatives
demonstrated their ability to eke out results in the face of
adversity. Then there was Australia, who waited until stoppage time
in their final group game with Canada to secure qualification to
the last eight. The Matildas proceeded to give Brazil a scare in
the quarter-final before seeing their dream ended by
Cristiane's late winner. And although they failed to reach the
last four, the Australian girls' high-tempo passing game and
never-say-die approach left a lasting impression on the fans.
Despite seeing their hopes of a second world title dashed at
the semi-final stage, USA nonetheless managed to claim third
position on the podium. The team's veteran striker Kristine
Lilly became the only woman to have played in all five FIFA
Women's World Cups, while top scorer Abby Wambach scooped the
adidas Silver Shoe award. Meanwhile, North American neighbours
Canada narrowly failed to qualify from the group phase after
conceding a stoppage-time equaliser to Australia. It was a cruel
blow for the Canucks and marked the climax of a finely poised game
whose result few would have dared to predict.
Participating nations:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany,
China PR, Denmark, England, Ghana, Korea DPR, Japan, Nigeria,
Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, USA
Finishers:
1. Germany
2. Brazil
3. USA
4. Norway
Host stadiums, cities:
Hongkou Football Stadium (Shanghai), Olympic Centre Stadium
(Tianjin), Sport Center Stadium (Chengdu), Dragon Stadium
(Hangzhou), Sports Center Stadium (Wuham)
No. of goals:
111 (average goals/game: 3.47)
Top scorers:
7 goals: Marta (Brazil)
6 goals: Wambach (USA)
6 Goals: Ragnhild Gulbrandsen (Norway)
Total attendance:
1,190,971
Average attendance:
37,218
