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WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Germany oust Sweden from FIFA World Cup

Top ranked Germany advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup on Saturday with a confident 4-1 victory over Sweden.

Germany oust Sweden from FIFA World Cup
Sweden's Nilla Fischer tries to block Germany's Anja Mittag (R) during Germany's 4-1 win. Photo: Carmen Jaspersen / picture alliance / dpa

Celia Sasic scored twice with Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsan also finding the net to put the 2003 and 2007 champions through to the last eight for the seventh time in as many editions of the tournament.

The 30-year-old Mittag set Germany on their way with a solo run through the Swedish defence following a defensive error after 24 minutes at Ottawa's Lansdowne Stadium.

It was the fifth goal in four matches for Mittag who recently signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Swedish club FC Rosengård.

And 12 minutes later Sasic notched her first when she slotted in a penalty awarded after Mittag was fouled inside the box by her former FC Rosengard teammate Amanda Ilestedt.
   
Leonie Maier almost got a third just before the break only for her long range effort to go straight into the hands of Hedvig Lindahl in the Swedish goal.

Sasic grabbed her second on 78 minutes with a diving header after Simone Laudehr's initial effort had come back off the post.

Defender Linda Sembrant scored a consolation goal for the Swedes with eight minutes to go, only for Marozsan to pick up another for the Germans two minutes from time.
   
Germany next play either France or South Korea, who clash in Montreal on Sunday, for a place in the semi-finals.
   
Sweden, ranked fifth, return home without a win after advancing to the last 16 as one of the best third-place finishers following three draws in their group.

It is the third time that Germany have beaten their European rivals in a major competition.

In 2003 Germany won the world title by beating Sweden with a golden goal in the final, while more recently Germany beat Sweden 1-0 in the semi-finals on their way to the European title.

FOOTBALL

Semi-final clash with US ‘like a final’

Ahead of Tuesday's semi-final clash against the Unites States in the Women's World Cup, Germany coach Silvia Neid warned that her team would not be relinquishing their status as the world's number one team yet.

Semi-final clash with US 'like a final'
Germany coach Silvia Neid. Photo: DPA

“I know the United States would like to be number one but we are still number one and we would like to show tomorrow that it's our position to keep.”

Germany advanced to the semi-finals by beating France 5-4 on penalties, after playing 1-1 over 120 minutes.

“We had a little trouble getting into the match against France,” said Neid.

We want to do better, want to be more agile, be braver, we just want to leave a good impression.”

“After the 120 minutes against France everybody was really tired,” said forward Alexandra Popp.

“We needed to regenerate, now we're ready to go.”

US striker Alex Morgan described Tuesday's clash as “almost like a final.””It's the number one and the number two team (in the world). It's almost like a final in itself,” said 25-year-old Morgan.

“Germany have had a great run in this tournament, we've done pretty good as well and have been continuing to get better and better.

“It's going to be a great game for the fans. We've been watching Germany this tournament a lot knowing that we could well meet them in the semi-final and the day has come, tomorrow, and we'll be ready.”

US coach Jill Ellis said the “Stars and Stripes” were ready for a battle.

“It's going to be a physical battle on the ground and in the air. It has been a good test for our players to come through against Nigeria and Sweden and teams like this to be prepared for tomorrow.”

Germany are a “tremendous team,” Ellis continued, adding: “I'm still ambitious enough to think our best game is ahead of us.”

Germany, winners in 2003 and 2007, play the United States, champions in 1991 and 1999, in Montreal. 

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