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Sweden eliminates Germany from World Cup: Initial observations and analysis

Sweden and Germany played a very entertaining game in Rennes, and the Swedes finally conquered their German demons.

By Phillip Quinn Updated

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Germany v Sweden: Quarter Final - 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

FULLTIME: GERMANY 1-2 SWEDEN

  • Both sides came out to play today, and they put on a very entertaining game for the viewers. For that, we can only thank both teams.
  • SB Nation’s Kim McCauley nailed it before the tournament began regarding Germany’s central defense.

The Germans have world class players at every position but central defense, where they’ve been rotating relatively inexperienced players in an attempt to find the right pair. Marina Hegering and Sara Doorsoun started Germany’s most recent game, and they, despite being 29 and 27 years old, respectively, have only recently broken into the first team. Hegering has no major tournament experience, while Doorsoun played just one game at Euro 2017 — in midfield, in a loss, and she was hauled off at halftime. Johanna Elsig also has no major tournament experience, while the more experienced Verena Schweers has looked fourth choice recently.

  • What was that lineup? Germany were eventually going to get found out.

95- Sweden make their final sub. Hurtig comes on for Rolfo.

93- Hegering is in the penalty area, but she mistimes her jump on the header. It goes way over the goal.

92- We’ve got six minutes of stoppage time, and Germany are throwing everything forward. We’ll see if they can find the equalizer.

88- Gah! Close! Oberdorf’s header on a free kick goes just wide of the goal. The kid had a really good chance to pull level there.

86- Sweden make their second sub bringing on Bjorn for Rubensson.

84- Long delay after VAR reviews whether or not Germany should be awarded a penalty after Popp was popped. No penalty.

78- Blackstenius pulls a German defender out of position, leaving Jakobsson to unleash a bullet shot at Schult. However, the German number one comes up with a big save to keep Germany in the match.

75- Cooling break. It’s still hot.

71- Blackstenius breaks free again, but Germany recovers. With two defenders in front of her, Blackstenius dribbles into the box pull them with her. Schult, for some reason, comes way off of her line. Luckily for her, the shot is blocked, and she’s able to pick it up.

70- Germany make their third and final sub. 17 year old Oberdorf comes on for Schuller.

66- Sweden make their first sub of the day. Bayern’s Amanda Ilestedt comes on for an injured Nilla Fischer.

56- Bayern on Bayern violence. Rolfo fouls Magull, earning a yellow card.

53- Schuller looks hurt. She’s been down several times in this half. Not sure how long she’ll be able to continue.

48- Sweden score! Germany 1-2 Sweden. Bayern’s Rolfo heads a cross back across goal forcing Schult to make an amazing save. However, the ball falls to the feet of Blackstenius who smashes it home. Uh oh, Germany.

46- Germany start the second half with their second sub. Dzsenifer Marozsan comes on for Linda Dallman. Things just got real.

Halftime: Germany 1-1 Sweden

  • What a terrific first half. Both teams got up and down the field in attack often. It’s hard to see the second half going away from this too much.
  • Unfortunate for Germany that Simon had to leave with a knee injury, but Maier is a more than capable fullback.
  • The two goals were well taken, especially the finish from Magull. That was a spectacular hit.
  • Sweden have exploited the gap between Germany’s centerbacks with a simple tactic. One forward pulls one centerback out of position, and that’s followed by a quick long ball over the top. We’ll see if Germany can adjust.

44- Germany are forced to make a sub just before halftime as Simon cannot continue. She picked up a knee injury a few minutes ago and, after initially thinking that she would be able to continue, just can’t make it work. Bayern’s Maier comes on for her.

42- Blackstenius gets played in behind the German backline again with a simple ball over the top. Schult is there to keep the ball out, however. Germany are going to have to make an adjustment defensively to deal with these long balls.

40- Magull gets free in the Swedish penalty area, but her shot is deflected off of her and out for a goal kick.

37- Blackstenius gets free and rips a shot toward the German goal, but Schult manages to push it over the crossbar for a corner. Dangerous. Nothing comes of the corner.

33- We’ve reached the cooling break in the match. Ice towels around the necks and water for all. It’s so hot out there.

30- This is a fun match. Both sides are getting up and down the field and attacking in numbers. You rarely see that at this level.

23- Sweden scores! Jakobsson once again gets behind the German backline. Doorsoun is caught up field, while Simon and Hegering can’t catch up to Jakobsson. The Montpellier winger beats Schult to level the game.

16- TOR! GERMANY! Lina Magull! The Bayern Munich forward received a pass from Bayern midfielder Sara Dabritz. Magull had to do a sidesways scissor kick to smash it between the legs of Lindahl for the opener!

15- It’s another scorcher in France. Temperatures are pushing 90F or 32C.

12- Big save from Schult! Jakobsson got behind Doorsoun and Hegering, but Schult made a fine kick save to keep the Swedes off the board.

10- It’s been an interesting opening 10 minutes in this one. While Sweden have had a few opportunities to get out on the break, Germany have been steadily threatening at the start here. A lot of final balls are just missing for them. If they can find that connection, watch out.

1- We have kickoff in Rennes!

Germany vs Sweden — Lineups are out!

Now that the Netherlands have defeated Italy, we prep for the main event. Germany take on Sweden with a spot in the Semifinals against the Netherlands on the line.

Italy 0-2 Netherlands — Full Time

The Netherlands have defeated Italy to advance to their first Semifinal in the nation’s history. This is only their second Women’s World Cup appearance! This puts two Bayern Munich players into the Semifinals with Jill Roord and Lineth Beerensteyn.

Italy 0-2 Netherlands — 80th minute

Spitse picks up her second assist of the match on another set piece. This time, her free kick is smashed into the back of the net with a powerful header from Stefanie van der Gagt.

Italy 0-1 Netherlands — 70th minute

Finally, the Dutch found the breakthrough. They’ve absolutely dominated a gassed Italy in the second half, but the goal just wouldn’t come. Sherida Spitse hit a perfect free kick into the box that former Bayern forward Vivianne Miedema headed into the back of the net for the goal. That’s a massive goal for the 22 year old. Incredible.

Italy 0-0 Netherlands — Halftime

The Italians looked great early and should feel disappointed that they weren’t able to find a goal. The Dutch had a great chance late in the match, but a poor free kick ruined any chances. The heat in France is punishing both teams at the moment.

The Quarterfinals get wrapped up on Saturday with four European teams clashing in France. We start the day with Italy taking on the Netherlands. Then, the late match features Germany facing Sweden.

Italy will try to continue their impressive run in France when they take on the reigning European Champions in the first match of the day. The Netherlands are the more talented team, but we know that’s not always what decides matches. Vivianne Miedema and Lieka Martens could put on a show for everyone.

The second match of the day is, obviously, the one that will be getting the majority of our attention. Germany takes on Sweden in the third match of the quarterfinals between European nations. The Germans can return to the semifinals of the World Cup for the second straight time, but Sweden is out to send Germany packing.

We all want to see the Netherlands face Germany in the semifinal, right?

If you’re looking to watch the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, fuboTV has you for your streaming needs and, as always, Live Soccer TV can tell you where to find the World Cup on television or streaming in your country.

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