While the Germany men’s national team is getting ready for the World Cup, the women’s national team is busy with qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup next year. Germany took another step toward the finals with a resounding 5-1 win over Austria.
The home side piled on the pressure early on, and took the lead through Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nicole Anyomi, who pounced on a loose ball after a corner. However, the mood in Nürnberg soon soured when Bayern Munich star and national captain Giulia Gwinn was
forced off with what was later diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder.
Germany needed to wait until the second half for their second goal, VfL Wolfsburg’s Vivien Endemann tapping home from close range with the outside of her boot in the 52nd minute. Fifteen minutes later, Germany added another through another corner. Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken directed a header goalward, and the ball deflected off Austrian defender Sarah Puntigam and into the net.
With around quarter of an hour to go, Lyonnes’ Jule Brand scored Germany’s fourth after a quick transition. Right after the goal, though, Austria’s Chiara D’Angelo scored a consolation to dampen the atmosphere a bit. Germany remained unfazed, however, and Bayern Munich alum Lea Schüller scored a bank shot off the far post to seal the deal.
The result takes Germany to maximum points in their qualifying group after three games. The team will play Austria again on Saturday, this time as guests in Ried.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s Linda Dallmann and Franziska Kett started the game and were subbed off on 65 minutes. Goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic remained on the bench. There was also some Bayern representation from Austria, with Barbara Dunst playing 85 minutes, and the second team’s Maria Plattner coming on in the 71st minute.
