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The story so far
A massive goal difference from their 10-0 thrashing of the Ivory Coast saw Germany take the top of Group B after wins over Thailand and Côte d'Ivoire and a close draw over Norway and their first knock-out challenge of the tournament came in the form of Sweden, who qualified through in third place from Group D.
The Round of 16 battle saw Germany come out strong once more, taking a 4-1 victory over the Swedish side to book a spot in the Quarter Finals. Although the victory came across strong, Germany had troubles finding the back of the net at the start of the match before four goals showed that the concerns had no legs and the two-time champions’ eyes now look towards the final three matches.
Their most recent clash brought them face to face with European rivals France in a tight battle that ended in nail-biting penalties with Germany standing triumphant after five converted penalties beat the four that France were able to deliver.
They’ll beat the United States because…
Germany can go all the way. United States are the strongest side that they’ve faced in the competition so far but Germany’s lethal scoring has proven to be dangerous to every opponent that they’ve faced yet while their defence on set pieces have been efficient and clinical. The goals that the United States have scored have been off crosses and corners, seeing players heading balls home to take the lead, and Germany have already proved that they can stop those chances dead – something that is going to be crucial in this massive semi-final clash.
They’ll get knocked out by the United States because…
United States are arguably the best women’s international team in the world, rivalled only by Japan and Germany. If Germany fail to turn up with the full force of their deadly possession then United States are going to make fools of them and go to the final off the back of a Germany defeat.
The United States won both the 1991 and the 1999 World Cups but Germany have been stronger more recently. The problem for Germany could be that United States have shown in this tournament that they are ready to go all the way in the tournament in their bid to take back a World Cup title and maintain their relevance on top of the international standings. Germany will have everything to lose against the United States, and both sides are ready to bring their top game for the match.
Will they win the World Cup?
If Germany show up against the United States and play with Celia Sasic and Anja Mittag both hungry for goals, then Germany will win the World Cup. With the States their next direct rival, and then more than likely the reigning world champions waiting in the Final, Germany can take the challenge standing up and come out swinging – they’re going to win the tournament and deliver Silvia Neid her third World Cup trophy as her beautiful swan song for leading the number one ranked side in the world to their triumphant victories.
Best moment of the tournament so far?
The penalty shoot-out victory over France has now become Germany’s greatest moment. Getting into the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup now means that they’ve reached close to their objectives and only a single game remains between them and the final showdown. With France’s missed penalty in the shoot-out, Germany once again proved that they are the best international women’s side in the world and if they sink the United States then that could overshadow both France’s defeat and the clubbing of the Ivory Coast to crown the team’s campaign so far.
Key Player
With the closer matches now looming over Germany, Nadine Angerer once again comes into her own as one of the best players of the world. She already proved her worth time and again in the France v Germany clash but now must prove her might against some of the most lethal strikers in the world. Her ability may be the tipping point between the United States sending Germany home with their bags packed or Germany stepping into the bright lights of the Women’s World Cup grand final.
Injuries/Suspensions
Germany have remained above major injuries and suspensions in the tournament so far with their strong starting eleven now needed against the strongest team that they’ve come up against all competition. The United States are going to test them to their limits.
Prediction
It’s going to be a close game with a goal going each way in the first ninety minutes of the match but Germany is going to take the win over the United States in extra time off the boot of golden boot leader Celia Sasic.