Germany exited the Women’s World Cup group stages for the first time on Thursday, with a 1-1 draw with South Korea not enough to advance.
South Korea needed to win by five goals or more to qualify for the last 16, and they came out firing in Brisbane, with 16-year-old record-breaker Casey Phair forcing a good save from Merle Frohms inside the first three minutes.
Only a few minutes later, Cho So-hyun broke into the box and finished with composure to startle the Euro 2022 runners-up.
Germany’s response was lethargic, with their play missing imagination and conviction, and their injury-plagued defense looked vulnerable against a vibrant Korean side. However, before the halftime, star scorer Alex Popp came to their rescue, hitting home Svenja Huth’s cross to tie the game.
Popp had a goal called off for offside following a brilliant flick on from Lea Schuller in the second half, as the two-time World Cup winners clearly upped the ante. She got even closer moments later, heading Huth’s cross against the crossbar. But Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team stalled from there, and with Colombia losing against Morocco in Perth, a draw was insufficient to advance.
It’s a remarkable exit for the two-time champions, who have never been eliminated at this stage before, with Colombia and Morocco advancing from Group H.
Kim Hye-ri, the captain of this South Korean team, exemplified their valiant defense. The 33-year-old was a rock at the back, with a spectacular tackle on Jule Brand in the first half being a particular highlight. She came in at the correct time after the break to prevent Schuller’s cross from reaching Popp and then threw her body on the line to block a shot from the former as well. She was enormous.
Germany was a strong favourite for this event after reaching the final of the Euros last year and losing by such narrow margins. To go out like this in a group they were heavily favored to win was the biggest surprise of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg secured a new contract earlier this year, extending her tenure until 2025, but she will face many questions following this loss.
While Germany and South Korea return home, Morocco will face France in the last 16, while Colombia will face a Jamaican team that eliminated Brazil on Wednesday.
