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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

FOOTBALL

Germany qualify for next round after big win

Germany advanced the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Monday as group winners after thrashing Thailand 4-0 in Winnipeg.

Germany qualify for next round after big win
Photo: DPA

Favourites Germany beat Thailand 4-0 to progress as Group B leaders ahead of Norway who secured their berth by beating Ivory Coast 3-1.

Germany came up against stiff resistance from the 29th-ranked Asians in Winnipeg, before Melanie Leupolz broke through after 24 minutes.

And two quick-fire headers from second-half substitute Lena Petermann on 56 and 58 minutes got the world's top ranked team into their stride.

The damage could have been worse but for solid goalkeeping from Thailand's Waraporn Boonsing before Sara Daebritz got a fourth for the 2003 and 2007 winners on 73 minutes.

“It wasn't our best match but it gives us a bit more self confidence,” said Germany's Leupolz.

Germany have seven points from three games, equal with Norway, but ahead on goal difference largely thanks to their 10-0 hammering of Ivory Coast in their opener.

Thailand, in third with three points, could still advance as one of the four best third-place finishers, but fellow newcomers Ivory Coast head home after three loses with three goals scored to 16 conceded.

Germany next play the best third-placed finisher from Group A, C, or D in Ottawa on Saturday, as Norway play the second-placed finisher from Group F, which includes France, England, Colombia and Mexico, next Monday.

“We still have a chance to go through to the next round. We have some hope,” said Thailand coach Nuengruethai Sathongwien.

Canada were held 1-1 by the Netherlands but it was enough to top Group A ahead of China who were held 2-2 in their fiery do-or-die clash against New Zealand.

The four join champions Japan and Brazil, the 2007 runners-up, who are already through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare.

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RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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