German Women’s Soccer Team Advances to Eighth Round

Birgit Prinz (30) set the record for the most goals scored in one game leading her team to the eighth round in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup Soccer.

With the first goal scored by Prinz 21 minutes into the first half, which was followed by the penalty kick taken by Ringor 42 minutes into the second half, Germany won against Japan 2-0 at the final match in the group A, held at the Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou, China, on September 17. In the first match, Germany won against Argentina by a whopping 11-0, and tied with England, securing its place in the eighth round with the highest points of seven.

Her goal that day gave Prinz a 13-goal total for her World Cup career, which is a record in the history of Women’s World Cup Soccer. Previously, the record was held by American Michelle Akers with 12 goals, scored from 1991 to 1999. Prinz has so far scored 114 goals in international matches.

England won against Argentina 6-1 in the final match of group A, held at the Chengdu Sports Center Stadium. By tying with Japan (2-2) and Germany (0-0), England earned five points, advancing to the next round with Germany.

The outlook for England to move into the next round was bleak as it did not play so well against both Japan and Germany, but it did so by winning against Argentina by a huge margin. Meanwhile, Argentina, by losing to Germany (0-11) and Japan (0-1), its fate seemed to be doomed.

bluesky@donga.com