PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Germany (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) struck for three second-half goals to earn a 3-0 win over Mexico (1-0-1, 3) in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Thursday at the National Football Stadium.
The result lifted the Germans into sole possession of first place in Group D, three points ahead of both Korea Republic (1-0-1, 3) and Mexico. Venezuela (0-0-2, 0) occupies last place without a point.
In victory, Stefanie Sanders netted a brace, giving Germany a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute, when she tapped home from close range following a chaotic sequence in the Mexican penalty area that resulted with the ball falling to her in front of the net.
Saskia Matheis made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, finding the back of the net from 10-yards out with her right foot after goalkeeper Emily Alvarado parried a left-sided cross into her path.
With five minutes left in normal time, Anna Gerhardt lofted a cross from outside the box near the left-goal line into the six-yard box, where Sanders was positioned to head home and completed the scoreline.
Mexico’s best chance came past the midway point of the first half, but Jacqueline Crowther’s header crashed off the left post.
The sides complete group play on November 21 with Mexico facing Venezuela and Germany taking on Korea Republic.
