Birgit PRINZ and Simone LAUDEHR scored in the second half to lead Germany to a 2-0 win over Brazil in the final of the 2007 Women’s World Cup. The first half was a finely balanced battle in which Brazil had the majority of possession but could not score. Seven minutes into the second half, Prinz scored on a low cross from Sandra SMISEK. Brazil had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 64th minute when CRISTIANE was fouled in the area by Linda BRESONIK, but Nadine ANGERER saved MARTA’s penalty to maintain her clean sheet for the entire tournament. Laudehr added the second in the late stages of the match. The United States won 4-1 against Norway in the third place match.

MARTA left the Hangzhou crowd chanting her name with two goals in Brazil’s stunning 4-0 semifinal win over the United States. The US started badly as Leslie OSBORNE headed past her own keeper. Briana SCURRY, a surprise to start in the US’s goal instead of Hope SOLO, then conceded a second to Marta. Late in the first half, an egregious error by referee Nicole PETIGNAT led to Shannon BOXX’s second yellow. Brazil made their player advantage count in the second half with a goal from CRISTIANE, followed by Marta’s second. The US will try to save face in the third place match against Norway, whilst the final match looks to be an epic clash between Brazil and Germany.

Despite a slow start, Germany powered past Norway for a 3-0 win in their semifinal match. In a match that viewers of the Germany-Korea DPR quarterfinal would have found familiar, Norway had much of the early attacking opportunities and were left to rue their missed chances. Late in the first half, Trine RØNNING deflected a Birgit PRINZ cross into her own net. Two more goals, from Kerstin STEGEMANN and Martina MÜLLER, sealed it midway through the second half. Germany await the winner of the other semifinal between the United States and Brazil.

Two teams were eliminated in crushing fashion on SUN 23 SEP 2007. more...

The favourites’ potential opponents may begin quaking in their boots on SAT 22 SEP 2007. more...

The last matches of the Group of Death lived up to their billing on TUE 18 SEP 2007. more...

The Group of Death began to gain clarity on FRI 14 SEP 2007. more...

Three wild draws helped start the tournament on TUE 11 SEP 2007. more...

Germany stormed to a 11-0 win over Argentina in the first match of the 2007 Women’s World Cup, a game that looked to be much closer early. Argentina had the better chances in the first ten minutes, but in the twelfth minute, Argentina keeper Vanina CORREA tipped a German corner into her own net. From then on it was a captivating attacking performance from the defending champions. Birgit PRINZ and Sandra SMISEK both collected hat tricks – Prinz’s three took her career Women’s World Cup total to twelve goals, equalling the record set by Michelle AKERS of the United States.

Longtime Women’s World Cup fans will see one extremely familiar face at this year’s tournament: Kristine LILLY of the United States. Of the players on the sixteen team rosters, she is the only one who has appeared at every tournament to date. She will look to guide the US to a third title against such stars as Germany’s Birgit PRINZ, Brazil’s MARTA, Sweden’s Hanna LJUNGBERG, and Canada’s Christine SINCLAIR. Teams are permitted to make injury replacements until 24 hours before their first match.

For the third straight time, the United States, Korea DPR, and Nigeria were all drawn into the same Women's World Cup group. And amazingly, Sweden also landed in Group B to make the exact same list as Group A of the 2003 Women's World Cup. It is the first time in World Cup history, men's or women's, that the same four teams have been in a group together for two consecutive tournaments. Other teams who are already familiar with one another include Germany, Japan, and Argentina, all of whom were together in Group C in 2003; this time they are in Group A. Interestingly, this represents the first Women's World Cup that contains no first time qualifiers. more...

With the final of the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup extending deep into overtime, penalties looked all but certain as the United States and Canada remained level at 1-1. But on a late corner, Robyn GAYLE was whistled for a foul in the area, and the world's most capped player, Kristine LILLY, put the penalty past Canadian keeper Erin MCLEOD for the dramatic US win. The third place match saw Mexico roll to a 3-0 win over Jamaica with two goals from Monica OCAMPO and one from Maribel DOMINGUEZ; Mexico advance to the AFC/CONCACAF playoff against Japan.

CONCACAF's top sides, Canada and the United States, qualified for the 2007 Women's World Cup – by playing only one match. In Carson, CA, USA, Canada won 4-0 over Jamaica on two goals and one assist from Christine SINCLAIR. The second match saw the home side defeat Mexico 2-0, both goals by Abby WAMBACH. Canada will now face the US in the final of the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, and in the third place match, Mexico will meet Jamaica with the winner facing Japan in the AFC/CONCACAF playoff.

Jamaica and Trinidad-Tobago will represent the Caribbean at the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup after their easy wins in the second qualifying round. Tasha ST LOUIS totaled four goals in the Soca Divas' two wins in Group A, and Venicia REID contributed five for the Reggae Girlz as they dominated Group B. They will join Canada, Mexico, Panama, and the United States at the Women's Gold Cup in the US in NOV 2006.