2015 edition 4th place Germany and new European powerhouse Sweden kicked off their Quarterfinal match vying for a semifinal berth against Netherlands.
The first threat came in the 3rd minute as Dallmann sent in a back heel, got it back, ran into the Swedes’ box, but the ball was cleared for a corner. Magull sent in a quick one and Popp headed it into GK’s gloves.
4th minute saw Germany win a free kick just outside the box for Fischer’s challenge on Dallmann. Magull shot it into Lindahl’s hands.
The Germans were pushing right from the start. A one-on-one moment between Lindahl and Magull on the flank made it evident! The GK cleared the ball for outside.
Sweden threatened in the 10th minute as Jakobsson made a run on the right flank after a slip up by Simon. Asllani accompanied her on the attack. A Swede attack came again in the 12th minute as Jakobsson made a great run upto the German box, ultimately cleared away.
The 16th minute brought Germany it’s first goal!E gave The ball away, Dräbitz jumped on it, made a run to the middle of the field, sent in the ball to an Onside Magull who shot it straight to her left!
22nd minute brought the Equaliser as Sweden’s No. 10 Jakobsson caught in a long pass from the defense line, ran ahead with two Germans flanking her, and showed it the net despite a deflection by GK Schult.
The Germans motored on, The Swedes, equally! Huth made some impressive runs and created chances for Magull and Schüller, the two forwards threatening the Swedes defense at every possible chance!
Just before the Cooling Break (France touched a record 45 degrees Celsius!) in the 32nd minute, Blackstenius made a run along the right flank, quite dangerously unmarked by the German defense, tossed it around a bit and then stopped for a bit of coolin’!
Blackstenius breached the German defense yet again in the 36th minute as she sprinted on fully onside, sent in a powerful shot but punched away just as forcefully by Schult!
40th minute had me in awe as Dräbitz made the run, passed it to Dallmann who flicked it off a defender to send it in for Magull! The Beauty!!!
42nd minute brought some nail-biting moments as Sweden got a corner, the first header was saved but displaced Schult from her Position leaving the net open, another header came in but headed away by the German defense, a few more heads and passes finally reaching Lindahl to send it back in play.
A few more long balls came in for Sweden as Blackstenius made the runs breaking through the opponents’ defense! The long passes really confused Die Mannschaft!
3 minutes were added and saw Sweden maintain pressure and continue their attacks.
Germany looked slack after Sweden’s Equaliser,and the once unbreakable-looking defense had giant holes for Sweden to barge in! Sweden were much more confident and faster with the ball and shot up their attacks!
The second half kicked off.
It was the 48th minute and Blackstenius finally found the net to bring Sweden ahead! Jakobsson sent in a pass from the right flank, Rolfö’s header was saved by Schult but Blackstenius reached the rebound and shot it up the net!
Rolfö’s booking for a challenge on Magull meant she would be missing the Semifinal.
Sweden were in full attacking mode, even Lindahl was confident to leave her post every now and then to clear the ball farther away. A particular 57th minute moment saw the goal open and Dräbitz took a long shot trying to capitalise on it but shot it wide. Also, Lindahl was back by then! Fast and fun!
Germany kept losing the ball, running low on confidence. Blackstenius was even more powered upfront intercepting quite a few passes. Jakobsson and Blackstenius maintained their positions on attack and pressurized the German Wall.
Fischer was substituted by Ilestedt in the 65th minute due to an injury inside the box as she tried to clear away a German attack.
A 65th minute free kick taken by Maroszan threatened the Swedes box as Dräbitz tried to keep the ball in. Swedes were hard on defense. The Germans strengthened a bit after this. They kept more possession.
But again came a scare in the 70th minute as Blackstenius took forward another long pass, Hegering ran with, Blackstenius kept the ball but just too long as she slipped. Schult and Hegering took the chance away! Sooo close!
Another Cooling Break at the 75th minute mark, and at that point, Sweden stood 15 minutes away from a Semifinal berth! Sweden’s interceptions were just surreal! Thanks to one of the many intercepts, a 77th minute threat came in as Magull lost the ball to Jakobsson who made the run, but Schult saved her shot!
84th minute saw Germany win a free kick for Ilestedt’s challenge on Popp. Maroszan took it but referee blew the whistle as Popp brought down Blackstenius giving Sweden a free kick! The tables turned quickly throughout this match! 😉
87th minute and Maroszan took another free kick. The ball went in, Oberdorf reached it but headed just wide to her left! That could’ve been a Götze 2014 World Cup Moment mimic for this youngster!
Oberdorf after a missed HEADER!
6 minutes added. Germany’s attack intensified. Just ahead of the 90th minute mark, Oberdorf made a run around the box with the ball, passed it to Dräbitz who sent in a grounded shot into GK’s gloves.
Another chance came and went in the 3rd added minute as Hegering headed Huth’s pass right over the top!
Hegering heads it over the top!
Germany fired shots after shots in the added time but it was a bit too late as the final whistle blew sending Sweden to the Semifinals and favourites Germany back home! Germany had a more tiki-taka gameplay of insanely accurate passes, but failed to convert the chances. Sweden got back up strong after their Equaliser and did not stop after that!
The defense was crisp, the attack crisper! The Swedes were faster, stronger and smarter! They played confusing long passes, including Lindahl’s long send-ins. The German defense was easily breakable while Swedes strengthened theirs. The Women in Yellow fell back at every threat and cleared the ball with accuracy, and whatever passed by, Lindahl’s able gloves took great care of them!
Sweden book a Semifinal berth againdt Netherlands and a Tokyo Olympics spot! BOOM!
All the views above are author’s own. They are not meant to offend anyone. This is not an official coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. The author owns no rights in this tournament
Trailblazers! 
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