Germany beat Russia 7:1 in the Women's World Cup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, October 03, 2003

Germany beat Russia 7:1 in the Women's World Cup

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Germany easily rolled over Russia 7-1 in the first quarter-final from Portland, Oregon. Always looking the better side, second-half braces from Kerstin Garefrekes and Birgit Prinz see the European Champions through to a mouth-watering semi-final showdown with defending World Champions, the United States. Despite a late fight back and a goal from the finals' youngest player Elena Danilova, Russia never looked like giving fellow Europeans much trouble. And after a second-half goal avalanche, the Germans confirmed their status as European powerhouse supreme here at USA 2003 and also secured their place at next year's Olympic Women's Football Tournament in Athens.

The Germans carried the game from the offing, and the Russians looked content to soak up the pressure and burst out on their trademark counter-attacks.

The first German chance came when Kerstin Stegemann crossed for Martina Mueller, who headed across the goalmouth for Prinz. But the gargantuan striker could only fire her close-range shot into a forest of Russian legs (12').

The Germans continued to up the tempo, controlling midfield and the majority of first-half possession. Stefanie Gottschlich had another good chance to get the Germans on the board with a golden free kick from the edge of the Russian box. But her swerving right-footed strike sailed just over Alla Volkova's crossbar (19').

Germany finally got the crucial breakthrough when Maren Meinert's precision through ball beat four Russian defenders and sent Mueller clean in on goal. As Volkova raced off her line, the new striker slotted the ball perfectly into the far corner (1-0, 25').

Renate Lingor nearly got one for herself just a few minutes later, but her looping, right-footed shot was pushed over the bar by the alert Volkova (28').

As the Germans kept up the pressure, Garefrekes raced in down the right and somehow got on the end of a hopeful ball from Meinert. Sliding to ground, she could only fire her shot wide of the target (36').

With only a goal lead to show for the first half, the Germans came right out after the break and nearly got their second goal straight away as Mueller slammed a full volley from close range that was deflected agonisingly wide of the target (46').

Ten minutes into the half, the European Champions got another goal on the end of a Gottschlich corner. Defender Sandra Minnert rose best above the crowd to slam her header past Volkova to put the Germans on pace for a semi-final spot (2-0, 57').

Just seconds later, the Germans got their best goal of the day. the impressive Gottschlich centered well on the ground, Prinz back-heeled the ball brilliantly just 5 yards from goal and second-half substitute Pia Wunderlich slammed the ball ferociously into the back of the net (3-0, 60').

The rout was then on as Garefrekes hammered the ball through Volkova's legs after Prinz headed another Gottschlich corner back across the box (4-0, 64').

The Russians got their first real chance as second-half substitute and youngest player at the finals Elena Danilova slammed a right-footed shot at the German goal. But Silke Rottenberg did well to push the striker over the bar (67').

Danilova then did herself one better, and got a bit of pride for Russia just a few minutes on. She took control of a mistake at the back, turned one defender and smashed the ball past Rottenberg for Russia's sixth goal of the competition (4-1, 70').

With Russia tiring visibly, Germany continued to pur forward, and Prinz got her first goal of the day after rounding her defender and coolly slotting the ball past Volkova for her fifth goal of the finals (5-1, 80').

Gottschlich then got in well down the right and crossed for Garefrekes, who tapped the ball into the open net for her second on the night (6-1, 85').

Cruelly, the Germans were not done there. Prinz took advantage of yet another mistake and slammed the ball past Volkova (7-1, 89'). (Fifaworld)

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