Los Angeles, Oct 13: Germany hoisted the women's World Cup football trophy for the first time, defeating Sweden 2-1 here in the championship match on Nia Kuenzer's "golden goal" eight minutes into extra time.
Kuenzer scored off a header, nodding the ball over Swedish goalkeeper Caroline Joensson. The Germans celebrated by mobbing Kuenzer, who moments earlier had just missed another golden opportunity from point-blank range. Kuenzer only played 11 minutes of the match after coming in as a substitute in the 88th minute.
"It was a great game," said German captain Bettina Wiegmann, who plans to retire, yesterday after the match. "It was a tough game and a close game and we got a lucky goal."
Both teams had excellent chances in the second half with the game level, but superb saves kept the European rivals deadlocked after regulation time.
"This was one of the best games ever played," said Swedish coach Marika Domanski Lyfors. "I just hope we never lose on a golden goal again."



Sweden's Hanna Ljungberg opened the scoring in the 41st minute but Germany's Maren Meinert equalized in the 46th minute.



"We had another good second half," said German coach Tina Theune-Meyer, who becomes the first female coach win a World Cup title. "There will be a lot of parties in Germany."



Germany becomes the first country to win the men's World Cup, having done so three times, and the women's World Cup.


Bureau Report