Germany won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup
for a record-equalling third time after a hard-fought
1-0 win over Nigeria at Montreal’s Olympic
Stadium.
Lena Petermann scored the title-winning goal eight
minutes into extra time to settle a match that, like
the semi-final against France, had seen the
Germans outplayed for long stretches. For the
second match in succession, though, the
Europeans’ will to win shone through, as did the
quality of goalkeeper Meike Kamper – again named
player of the match.
This clash of styles and football cultures was
always expected to produce an open, engaging final,
and so it proved. Nigeria quickly gained a foothold
and went on to dominate the first half, creating the
better and more numerous chances. An inability to
convert those chances was their only failing, and
the most guilty party was tournament top scorer
Asisat Oshoala.
The in-form striker, who had scored four times in
the semi-final win over Korea DPR, was lively
throughout but missed her first golden opportunity
after 22 minutes. In fairness, she created the
opening out of nothing, robbing Margarita Gidion,
outpacing the German defence and rounding
Kamper in a stunning display of speed and strength.
She could not, however, find the finishing touch,
managing only to shoot into the side-netting from an
acute angle.
With Nigeria’s superior physical attributes a telling
factor on the big Olympic Stadium pitch, it wasn’t
long before more chances arrived, with Oshoala
again given a sight of goal seven minutes before the
break. Again, though, her sights were out, with the
ball flashing wide after Chiwendo Ihezuo had done
well to snatch possession from Rebecca Knaak at
the byline and cut the ball back.
These were nonetheless worrying times for
Germany, whose best effort had come from a Lina
Magull free-kick comfortably saved by Sandra
Chiichii. But Maren Meinert’s side began the second
half brightly, with Theresa Panfil and Lena
Petermann combining to tee up Sara Daebritz for a
powerful left-foot shot that skidded into the arms of
Chiichii.
Oshoala remained a constant source of danger,
though, and she again came to life three minutes
later, jinking in from the left wing past two German
defenders. All that was lacking was the final touch,
with the No4′s first effort striking a team-mate
before the rebound was sliced high and wide.
However, missing chances wasn’t restricted to
Oshoala and Nigeria. Germany also spurned their
opportunities, with Pauline Bremer stealing in
unmarked on a Sara Dabritz free-kick only to head
wastefully wide. The Super Falconets then had to
call on the bravery of their keeper, with Chiichii
racing from her line to dive at the feet of Lena
Petermann, picking up a bruised jaw in the process.
Play still tended to rage towards the other end,
though, and with five minutes remaining Nigeria had
the ball in the net only for their celebrations to be
cut short by the assistant referee’s flag. That left
extra time to settle this pulsating affair and, after
Oshoala had again gone close for Nigeria, it was
Germany who found a breakthrough.
Petermann scored it, slotting home from six yards,
but the plaudits went to the energetic Bremer, who
had robbed left-back Gladys Abasi before driving
towards the byline and delivering the perfect
cutback.
Nigeria, who had given so much to the match,
proved unable to respond. Germany saw out the
remaining minutes with a degree of comfort and can
now savour the familiar feeling of being crowned
champions of the world.
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