Germans jink into last four

Germany held their nerve to win a penalty shoot-out against Nigeria and book a semi-final date with the United States as the FIFA Women's Under-19 World Championship gathered pace in Thailand on Sunday, but Russia fell at the hands of Brazil.

Last-gasp leveller
Only a last-gasp equaliser from Anja Mittag prevented the Germans' exit from the tournament at the quarter-final stage, because having breezed through the group stage by scoring 13 goals in three games, the European side looked set to bow out as a result of Nkese Udoh's solitary 35th-minute strike.

Mittag misses
Mittag, who had skewered a shot wide with the goal at her mercy in the fifth minute, missed again midway through the second half when substitute Patricia Hanebeck played her in but the striker under-hit her close-range effort.

Rinkes rescue
Stella Godwin, Nigeria's outstanding performer, could have wrapped it up but saw opposing goalkeeper Tessa Rinkes push her effort to safety and it stayed 1-0 until four minutes from the end of regulation time. A deep cross from Peggy Kuznik picked out Mittag and she converted an arcing volley to rack up her goal tally to six in four games and take the game into extra time.

Iwuagwu denied
Godwin hit the crossbar during an otherwise stale additional period and spot-kicks seemed inevitable. Rinkes made the only save of the penalty shoot-out, denying Akudo Iwuagwu with the score at 2-2, and it was fittingly left to Mittag to slot in the winning spot-kick.

'Goal deserved'
"We expected a very hard match and it was," said German coach Silvia Neid. "We didn't work together as a team in the first half but in the second we did better and deserved our goal. When it came to the penalty kicks, I just told the players to pick a corner and concentrate on that."

US await
Germany will face the US on Wednesday after the Americans defeated Australia 2-0 in their quarter-final. China were also successful, overcoming Canada 3-1 to book a semi-final date with Brazil, who needed extra-time to squeeze past Russia 4-2.

Tsybutovich opener
The Brazilians had started brightly but fell behind when Svetlana Tsidikova's cross was met by Ksenia Tsybutovich. Cristiane set up Marta for the equaliser three minutes before half-time, giving goalkeeper Elvira Todua no chance.

Tsidikova strikes
Russia rallied and their organised approach, contrasting with the Brazilians' flair, paid dividends just after the hour. Olga Petrova set up Tsidikova with a delightful through-ball and the midfield player made no mistake.

Heartbreaking header
Todua denied Marta as a frustrated Brazil pushed for a second leveller and Russia held on until four minutes into added time when Cristiane rose to head in from a last-gasp corner and take the game into extra time.

Sandra seals it
Substitute Sandra scored twice in the second half of extra time to complete Brazil's remarkable comeback and leave the Russians heartbroken. Russia coach Valentin Grishin said: "It is very difficult to defend against Brazil as they are a wonderful team but my girls played with great heart. We have a young team and we will be back."