Host nation Germany won the Under-20 Women’s World Cup this morning (Australian time) with a 2-0 win over Nigeria before 26,000 spectators in Bielefeld.
It was the fifth time a German women’s team had contested a World Cup final.
Germany won the Under-20 tournament in Thailand in 2004, and the senior German women’s team are the current world champions.
Germany opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a superb goal.
Alexandra Popp nodded a long pass from defence down to Dzsenifer Marozsan, who returned the ball to Popp with a first-time pass and she scored with a firm shot from the right across goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan and into the far corner of the net.
Nigeria created few chances and the best of these came from long-range free-kicks by Helen Ukaonu, which were competently handled by Germany keeper Almuth Schult.
Schult also had to turn a fine angled drive by Ebere Orji over the bar.
Germany’s Kim Kulig also went close with a free-kick in the 19th minute, the ball just clearing the bar.
Substitute Turid Knaak forced a save from Nigeria keeper Jonathan with only a few minutes remaining as Germany sought a second goal.
Germany also hit the post late in the match, but it was not until the 2nd minute of stoppage time that they grabbed their second goal, an own-goal.
A corner by Germany captain Marina Hegering was headed against a post by Kulig and the ball rebounded out and then into the net off the unfortunate Osinachi Ohale.
Popp won the Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals.
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