Spain impress on their first outing at France 2018
Japan and Germany see off USA and Nigeria, respectively
Debutants Haiti score, but lose their opening match to China PR
THE DAY REPLAYED - As was the case in Sunday’s opening matches in Groups A and B, there was plenty of entertainment, suspense and goals, as Groups C and D of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 got underway. Japan edged out USA 1-0 and Germany did likewise against Nigeria, while reigning European U-19 champions Spain saw off Paraguay, thanks to the inspirational Patri Guijarro, who scored the first hat-trick of the competition. In the day’s other game, Haiti scored their first-ever goal at a FIFA Women’s World Cup competition, though it was not enough to prevent them from going down 2-1 to China PR.
Results Group C: Paraguay 1-4 Spain | USA 0-1 Japan Group D: Nigeria 0-1 Germany | Haiti 1-2 China PR
France 2018: Matchday Two
Memorable moments
Jessica ends her goal drought A veteran of three FIFA competitions already, Paraguay forward Jessica Martinez ended her long wait for a goal on the big stage on Monday. A prolific scorer on the South American scene, she had failed to find the back of the net in those three previous tournaments, a record she finally set straight in pulling a goal back for her side 62 minutes into their meeting with Spain. However, the day belonged to Spanish goal machine Patri Guijarro, who struck three to double her career world finals haul.
Germany do it again The last U-20 Women’s World Cup meeting between Germany and Nigeria came at Canada 2014, when the Europeans downed the Falconets 1-0 to win the competition for a third time. There was a repeat scoreline four years on, as the two sides began their France 2018 campaigns, with Maren Meinert’s side prevailing by a solitary goal to maintain their unbeaten run against the West Africans.
Silver lining for Haiti While the Haitians lost their very first match in a FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament, going down 2-1 to China PR, the Caribbean side had some cause for celebration when Nerilia Mondesir created a little piece of history by scoring from the penalty spot. Their supporters created a wonderful atmosphere in the stands in Saint-Malo, so much so that FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura felt compelled to go and dance with them.
The words “We fought with everything we had and we managed to get what we came for. Everyone could see how much we wanted to win. We had a lot of fun on the pitch and I think it showed.” Germany midfielder Giulia Gwinn, voted "Dare To Shine” Player of the Match
Up next
Group C Spain-Japan, Concarneau, 16.30 (local time) USA-Paraguay, Concarneau, 19.30 (local time)
Group D Germany-China PR, Saint-Malo, 13.30 (local time) Haiti-Nigeria, Saint-Malo, 16.30 (local time)