Germany joined France in the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup from Group A after the hosts and defending champions fought hard for a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Thursday.
After their impressive 2-1 win over Canada on Sunday, this was a less assured performance from two-time winners Germany, who took nearly an hour to impose themselves against a bruising Nigerian side.
Midfielder Simone Laudehr scored the crucial second-half goal and Germany will now take on France in both teams' final group game in Moenchengladbach next Tuesday to decide who will finish top of the group.
WC 2011: Germany vs Nigeria, Frankfurt, June 30, 2011
Relief after 54 minutes
Nigeria made life hard for Germany but the hosts took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break and it was the introduction of the experienced Inka Grings on 52 minutes for captain Birgit Prinz that made an impact.
Barely two minutes later, the veteran forward latched onto a free-kick and her delicate backheel fell into the path of Laudehr, who fired home in plenty of space.
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Germany joined France in the quarter-finals of the women's World Cup from Group A after the hosts and defending champions fought hard for a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Thursday.
After their impressive 2-1 win over Canada on Sunday, this was a less assured performance from two-time winners Germany, who took nearly an hour to impose themselves against a bruising Nigerian side.
Midfielder Simone Laudehr scored the crucial second-half goal and Germany will now take on France in both teams' final group game in Moenchengladbach next Tuesday to decide who will finish top of the group.
WC 2011: Germany vs Nigeria, Frankfurt, June 30, 2011
Relief after 54 minutes
Nigeria made life hard for Germany but the hosts took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break and it was the introduction of the experienced Inka Grings on 52 minutes for captain Birgit Prinz that made an impact.
Barely two minutes later, the veteran forward latched onto a free-kick and her delicate backheel fell into the path of Laudehr, who fired home in plenty of space.
