Germany beat Spain to advance in Women’s Euro
Sports Desk, Jul 12 (EFE).- Germany topped Spain 2-0 Tuesday to remain unbeaten against La Roja and clinch first place in Group B of Women’s Euro 2022 England.
The Germans improved to 6 points, 3 better than both Spain and Denmark, with one match left in the group stage, and would prevail over La Roja if the two sides end up level on points by virtue of head-to-head.
Spain will be the favorites in their match against Denmark to determine which of them advances to a quarterfinal next week against hosts England, who pounded Norway 8-0 to nail down first place in Group A.
Coming into the match at London’s Brentford Community Stadium, La Roja had yet to defeat Germany in six previous attempts and the contest got off to the worst possible start from the perspective of the Spain supporters among the near-capacity crowd of 16,037.
In the 3rd minute, a botched clearance by Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Baños gifted the ball to striker Klara Bühl, who sidestepped a defender and fired into the bottom right corner of the net to put Germany up 1-0.
Once ahead, the Germans were happy to relinquish the ball and Spain would end the match with 71 percent possession, but only three shots on target.
Lucia Garcia fired into the side netting after getting around German keeper Merle Frohms and Mariona Caldentey saw her shot graze the outside of the post before Alexandra Popp extended Germany’s lead in the 36th minute with a header off a corner.
Spain’s Irene Paredes was lucky to avoid a red card for a tackle against Popp in the second half and Germany had a third goal disallowed for an offside.
La Roja’s best chance of getting back in the match was a blast from Caldentey that tested Frohms.
Pernille Harder scored in the 72nd minute to lead Denmark 1-0 earlier Tuesday at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes. EFE
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