Germany plays Sweden in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The two sides will collide on June 29, 2019, at the Roazhon Park in Rennes, France.
Germany
Germany topped Group B with an unbeaten 3-0 record. The Germans earned a total of 9 points and had a goal difference of +6. They won their first two games against China and Spain with a 1-0 score then they exploded for a 4-0 triumph over South Africa to close out their group stage schedule.
Against South Africa, the Germans controlled the ball for 60% of the match and allowed just one shot on goal in a dominant display. They have yet to concede a goal in four games played in this tournament. Overall, they’ve had a clean sheet in seven out of their last nine matches. A victory here will push them to a fifth appearance in the semifinals.
This is Germany’s squad:
- Goalkeepers: Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg), Laura Benkarth (FC Bayern München), Merle Frohms (SC Freiburg)
- Defenders: Carolin Simon (Olympique Lyon), Kathrin Hendrich, Leonie Maier (beide FC Bayern München), Marina Hegering (SGS Essen), Lena Goeßling, Sara Doorsoun (beide VfL Wolfsburg), Johanna Elsig (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Giulia Gwinn (SC Freiburg)
- Midfielders: Lena Sophie Oberdorf, Lea Schüller, Linda Dallmann, Turid Knaak (alle SGS Essen), Svenja Huth (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Olympique Lyon), Alexandra Popp (VfL Wolfsburg), Sara Däbritz, Verena Schweers, Melanie Leupolz, Lina Magull (alle FC Bayern München), Klara Bühl (SC Freiburg)TBA
- Forwards: Kristin Demann (FC Bayern München), Lisa Schmitz, Felicitas Rauch (beide 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Lena Lattwein (TSG Hoffenheim), Pauline Bremer (Manchester City)
Sweden
Sweden finished second in Group C with 6 points, three shy of the Americans’ total of 9 points. They scored a total of seven goals and have allowed a total of three scores for a goal difference of +4. They beat Chile 2-0, Thailand 5-1 before dropping a 0-2 decision to the United States.
The Swedes are in the quarterfinals for the fifth time. They beat Canada 1-0 in their previous match with Stina Blackstenius scoring the lone goal of the match. Sweden has struggled against top tier competition and that was obvious against the United States. They are big soccer betting underdogs in this matchup against the Germans.
Sweden’s team is composed of:
- Goalkeepers: Jennifer Falk, Hedvig Lindahl, Zecira Musovic
- Defenders: Jonna Andersson, Nathalie Bjorn, Magdalena Eriksson, Nilla Fischer, Hanna Glass, Amanda Ilestedt, Linda Sembrant
- Midfielders: Anna Anvegard, Kosovare Asllani, Stina Blackstenius, Lina Quick, Julia Roddar, Elin Rubensson, Caroline Seger
- Forwards: Sofia Jakobsson, Madelen Janogy, Mimmi Larsson, Fridolina Rolfo, Olivia Schough, Julia Zigiotti-Olme
Who Wins?
Germany and the U.S are the only teams in the tournament that has yet to concede a goal. The reason behind that, at least for Germany, is that they have allowed just a total of six shots on target in four matches played here at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. That’s impressive and that’s something that’s going to be a problem for Sweden here.
Die Nationalelf will also be looking at the possibility of the return of Olympique Lyon star midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan who has been out with a broken toe which she suffered during their June 8th match against China. Marozsan has 32 goals in 91 appearances for Germany but more than the numbers, it’s her creativity and ability to finish which could be a key to Germany’s success, not just in this match but in winning their first Women’s World Cup since 2007.
On the other hand, Sweden will have to sit deep and be patient while allowing their experienced squad to keep them in the match until a scoring chance presents itself. Sweden cannot be too aggressive here. The Swedes need to keep it simple and let the game come to them. Sweden’s captain Caroline Seger has 197 caps and five other players on her squad have 100 or more international appearances already. In their most recent match, Canada was unable to break Sweden down, as evidenced by 24 crosses of which only 2 hit a Canadian target.
Germany is 4-0-1 SU in their last five games against Sweden. They won 2-1 in a friendly back in April. The Germans also prevailed during the 2016 Olympics, 2014 World Cup and 2008 Olympics. The two sides figured in a draw during the 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championship. In short, Germany has pretty much dominated this matchup
Despite a couple of sharky efforts, Sweden isn’t to be underestimated. But given their style of play and level of experience, I think this is how far they are going to go. Unless they play a notch higher than they have this year, this one’s going to be a tough game to win. Germany has won the last two meetings between these team at the World Cup including the title game in 2003. Germany has progressed to the quarterfinals in each of the 8 Women’s World Cup tournaments. I think they do so here too. Prediction: Germany