Germany vs. Norway: Score, Twitter Reaction from 2015 Women's Soccer World Cup
Germany failed to cement their position at the top of Group B in the Women's Soccer World Cup on Thursday as they drew 1-1 with Norway.
An early goal from Anja Mittag opened the scoring as Germany dominated the first half, but despite having 19 attempts on goal, they could not extend their lead. Maren Mjelde's equalising free-kick punished Germany's wastefulness, and the Norwegians held on for the point in a much-improved second-half performance.
After Germany handed out a 10-0 thrashing to Ivory Coast in their opening fixture, expectations were running high, and the Germans did not disappoint in the opening stages.
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Die Nationalelf went ahead after just five minutes as Mittag pounced on a rebound to slot home after Dzsenifer Marozsan saw her effort saved. OptaJoe noted Germany's ability to start fast in their first two games at the World Cup:
The Germans dominated the rest of the half, and it was only through sheer luck that Norway went into the break just a single goal down.
Germany's midfield ran the show throughout the half as their exceptional movement left Norway chasing shadows.
Norway's inability to get close to Germany attracted criticism from former USA player Julie Foudy and football writer Alicia Rae:
Germany, meanwhile, rightly drew the plaudits as they continued to threaten Norway's goal.
The likes of Alexandra Popp and Celia Sasic peppered Ingrid Hjelmseth in the opposition goal, and but for some heroic defending and several near-misses, the Germans would have produced as comfortable a scoreline as their first game.
SB Nation's Kevin McCauley stoked the fire with this provocative tweet, as he believed there to be no comparison between Germany and fellow World Cup rivals the USA:
"Here’s a complete list of reasons the USWNT is capable of outplaying Germany:
— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) June 11, 2015"
Die Nationalelf's front line drew praise from football writer Jonathan Harding, while ESPN's Paul Carr noted the similarities in performance between Germany's two matches:
It was not until the 43rd minute that Norway were able to muster a shot on goal, but Nadine Angerer showed her credentials by remaining alive to the danger, holding her nerve in a one-on-one with Isabell Herlovsen to make a smart save.
The Grasshoppers punished Germany's failure to extend their lead on the hour mark, as Mjelde curled an exquisite free-kick over the wall and into Angerer's right-hand corner. It will go down as one of the strikes of the tournament:
"Damn. RIdiculous. Spot. And way too casual about it. #FIFAWWC #NOR pic.twitter.com/YTuEITtr6W
— Richard Farley (@richardfarley) June 11, 2015"
Mjelde's effort whipped Twitter into a suitable frenzy as pros and pundits alike had their say:
Germany were a shadow of their first-half selves as the match wore on. They continued to miss chances as Sasic nodded a long pass well wide of the goal and Marozsan hit yet another strike straight at Hjelmseth.
Die Nationalelf manager Silvia Neid rang the changes as Germany tried desperately to edge their way in front once again, but they created little of note in the later stages of the game as the fluency and intensity that characterised their first-half display deserted them spectacularly.
Germany coach Silvia Neid spoke about the result with FIFA.com, via Jerry Trecker of Fox Sports:
"We played a really good first half and that was a good situation to be in against a strong opponent like Norway. However, we failed to score a second or third goal - and we had opportunities - and that would have allowed us a calmer second half. We just didn't play as well in the second half, there were more gaps, and the opponent seized their opportunity.
"
Both teams will almost certainly qualify from Group B, with Germany likely to top the group thanks to their incredible goal difference.
However, as Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl opined, this may not be a good thing:
As impressive as Germany were in the first half, their profligacy was rightfully punished. If they can recapture the ruthless nature that produced the 10-0 in their opening game, then Die Nationalelf will be able to overcome France or the USA though sheer quality.
However, if they repeat Thursday's performance, Germany are most certainly beatable. They've lost their air of invulnerability now, so the quarter-finals have been blown wide open.
