Third win running for Grings-inspired Germany

Germany completed their third victory in as many FIFA Women's World Cup Group A matches after a six-goal thriller against France in Monchengladbach.

In an eventful encounter, in which Inka Grings scored twice after Kerstin Garefrekes had given the hosts the lead, France twice threatened to claw their way back into the match thanks to headers from Marie-Laure Delie and Laura Georges, but Les Bleues ultimately paid for the 65th-minute dismissal of Bérangère Sapowicz, with Célia Okoyino da Mbabi rounding off the scoring late on.

Though France started confidently enough, Germany appeared in control of proceedings from the moment Garefrekes headed Babett Peter's free-kick past Sapowicz after 25 minutes. The visitors failed to respond and seven minutes later fell further behind when the excellent Grings, who had initiated the move with an impudent nutmeg, appeared in the area to head in Simone Laudehr's cross.

Grings came close to completing a hat-trick with two dangerous free-kicks but just as Germany looked likely to run amok, they conceded a header themselves – Delie meeting Sandrine Soubeyrand's corner. Soubeyrand set up her side's second with another corner, headed in from by Georges, but by then France had already conceded again, Grings having dispatched a penalty after Sapowicz was sent off for upending Fatmire Bajramaj.

Bajramaj was subsequently denied by Camille Abily's goal-line clearance, but there was still time for Okoyino da Mbabi to rifle in a fourth as France, who will be without the suspended Sapowicz for their quarter-final against England, collapsed under the weight of superior numbers.

Germany's reward will be a last-eight encounter against Japan on Saturday. Nigeria finished third in Group A thanks to a 1-0 victory against Canada, who end the competition without a point.