World Cup joy for Germany
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Article summary
Germany 2-0 Brazil Birgit Prinz and Simone Laudehr struck and Nadine Angerer saved Marta's penalty as Germany became the first team to retain the trophy.
Article body
Germany became the first team to retain the FIFA Women's World Cup with a thrilling victory against Brazil in the Shanghai final.
Solid defence
The European giants scored early in the second half through captain Birgit Prinz and Simone Laudehr's late header decided the game after Marta's penalty for Brazil was saved by Nadine Angerer. Germany's achievement in defending the trophy they won in 2003 in the United States was all the more remarkable because the European champions did not concede a single goal during their six games in China, Angerer's first major tournament since succeeding Silke Rottenberg in goal.
Lively affair
Angerer, who beat Walter Zenga's FIFA World Cup record of 517 minutes without letting in a goal, was deservedly named player of the match for her display in a gripping contest that saw both teams go close on several occasions. The tone was set when Marta tested the Germany No1 before Kerstin Garefrekes strode through but could not find the target. The end-to-end action continued with Daniela smashing an effort against the German woodwork before Prinz broke the deadlock just before the interval. Annike Krahn could have doubled the lead early in the second half and looked like paying for her profligacy when Cristiane was fouled in the area. However, Marta could not beat Angerer from the spot and Laudehr ensured German joy with her late header from a Renate Lingor corner.
