How Germany's Women's World Cup Campaign Came Crashing Down

As anticipation built ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, it was no surprise to see the usual suspects listed as the favourites. The USA, most people’s tip to retain the title, were heavily fancied, as were England following their supreme success at the European Championship last summer. And, of course, two-time champions Germany were also in the mix, a team surely guaranteed to feature in the latter stages of the tournament.

But as the group stage of the tournament drew to a close, Germany were sent packing. A 1-1 draw with South Korea saw them finish third in their group behind Colombia and Morocco, an astonishing occurrence given the team’s status in the Women’s World Cup odds. It is the first time in the history of the competition that Germany have failed to reach the knockout stages.

So, how did this catastrophe come about? In the lead-up to the tournament, there was plenty to be optimistic about. While Germany had agonisingly lost the European Championship final to England last summer, it was felt that they still had more than enough quality to be serious contenders at the World Cup.

The first signs of potential trouble came in Germany’s warm-up matches ahead of the tournament proper. They laboured to a 2-1 win over Vietnam, before falling to a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Zambia. While these were only friendlies, they set the tone for what was ultimately to come in Australia and New Zealand.

That said, Germany seemed to have brushed off the cobwebs in emphatic style in their opening game of the tournament. A 6-0 thrashing of Morocco was exactly what the doctor ordered after the troubling loss to Zambia. Alexandra Popp grabbed a brace, while further goals from Klara Buhl, Lea Schuller and two own goals ensured a rout in Melbourne.

Most expected Germany to carry that momentum through for the rest of the tournament and challenge in the latter stages, but there was to be no easy passage through the group stage this time. Colombia were Germany’s next opponents in Sydney, and on a night of high drama, the two-time winners’ World Cup hopes would be left hanging by a thread.

After a goalless first half, it was Colombia who broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute thanks to Linda Caicedo’s strike. That led to a frantic final 35 minutes for Germany as they sought an equaliser, and they thought they had found it when Popp stroked home a penalty just a minute from time. The drama wasn’t over though, with Colombia nabbing a 97th-minute winner through Manuela Vanegas.

It was a blow for Germany, but with South Korea to come in their final group game, a team who were yet to pick up a point in the tournament, there was still full confidence that they would get the job done and seal progression to the last 16. 

But they just couldn’t get going in Brisbane. South Korea took an early lead through Cho So-hyun, and despite Popp’s equaliser shortly before half-time, Germany simply couldn’t find a winner. Meanwhile, Morocco’s victory over Colombia meant it was the north African side who progressed as group runners-up.

And so, Germany were out, their World Cup dreams dashed before they’d barely had time to take shape. Wolfsburg’s Popp deserves huge credit for her four goals in three games, but ultimately Germany’s performances were too flat to deserve a place in the knockout phase. Now they must watch on as other teams enjoy their moment in the sun, and ponder what might have been.