Germany Wins Female U20 World Cup

Germany have 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.