Eugenie Le Sommer scores from the spot
Eugenie Le Sommer scores from the spot

Women's World Cup: France win again despite Wendie Renard's own goal


A review of Wednesday's action at the 2019 Women's World Cup, where hosts France beat Norway despite an own goal from Wendie Renard.

France 2-1 Norway

France made it two wins out of two at the Women's World Cup thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Norway.

After struggling to find a way through during the first half, Valérie Gauvin gave the hosts a 1-0 lead just 44 seconds after the interval.

But the home crowd were soon stunned into silence when Wendie Renard put through her own net under no pressure.

Renard's blushes were spared in the 72nd minute after France were awarded a controversial penalty via VAR, with Eugénie Le Sommer slotting home from the spot.

Nigeria 2-0 South Korea

Nigeria kept alive hopes of progress in the Women's World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Korea in Grenoble.

Both sides had lost their opening match in Group A, which also includes hosts France.

Nigeria - beaten 3-0 by Norway last time out - took the lead after 29 minutes when Korea defender Kim Do-yeon knocked the ball back past her goalkeeper under pressure from Desire Oparanozie.

There was, though, a lengthy review by the Video Assistant Referee to check on what looked a close handball call against the Nigeria captain as the ball flew past her on the way towards the empty net.

South Korea, who lost the opening match of the tournament 4-0 against France in Paris, rarely looked like finding a way back.

And with 15 minutes left, a fine individual effort from Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala settled matters after she raced onto a pass down the right and into the penalty area ahead of her marker.

Oshoala, the former Liverpool and Arsenal forward, took the ball around the goalkeeper before clipping an angled effort back over the line.

South Korea are bottom of the table and play Norway in Reims on June 17, with their hopes of making it through to the last 16 already looking slim.

Germany 1-0 Spain

Sara Dabritz hit the only goal of the game as Germany beat Spain to take control of their Women's World Cup group.

Having beaten China 1-0 in their first game, another solid but unspectacular performance saw Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side win by the same scoreline in Valenciennes.

A downpour greeted the referee's whistle to start the game and it was Spain created several half-chances in the opening stages until the rain abated and the ball was easier to control.

Sara Doorsoun's sound defending prevented Spain forward Nahikari Garcia getting a shot on goal after she nipped in behind the German back-line.

Garcia then passed up a glorious chance to open the scoring, once again finding herself one-on-one with Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult only to send her effort wide of the target.

Silvia Meseguer was the next Spain player to miss a chance before Germany started to turn the screw.

The match was settled three minutes before the interval as Dabritz pounced.

Alex Popp's header was saved by Spain goalkeeper Sandra Panos but her team-mate Marta Torrejon dallied in possession and her clearance was turned over the line at almost point-blank range by Dabritz.

The second half had far fewer goalscoring opportunities than the first as Germany closed ranks later in the game to secure a second win of the finals and all but book their place in the next round.

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