France, Germany clinch groups with third win

France completed World Cup group play with a 3-0 record for the first time, beating Nigeria 1-0 Monday night in Rennes, France, when Wendie Renard converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute after missing her first attempt but getting a second chance.

France will play a third-place team on Sunday at Le Havre in the Round of 16, and the winner will advance to a quarterfinal against the USA, Sweden or Spain.

Referee Melissa Borjas of Honduras awarded the penalty kick when Viviane Asseyi was knocked over by Ngozi Ebere, a call upheld in a video review and one that drew vehement protests from the Super Falcons. Eberle was given her second yellow card of the match for the foul, causing Nigeria to finish a player short.

Renard’s initial attempt was wide to the right of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, but Borjas ordered the kick retaken because Nnadozie came off the line before the ball was kicked. Renard’s second try went in to Nnadozie’s right for her third tournament goal.

Nigeria finished third in Group A with three points and a -2 goal difference, and the Super Falcons will have to wait to find out whether they can advance as one of the four top third-place teams.

❚ Norway knocked South Korea out of the tournament by scoring on two penalties in a 2-1 victory in Reims. Caroline Graham Hansen scored after five minutes and Isabell Herlovsen beat goalkeeper Kim Min-jung from the spot early in the second half. Yeo Min-ji converted in the 78th minute but couldn’t spark a South Korean comeback.

Group B

❚ Germany won its group for the fifth consecutive time and avoided an immediate matchup with the USA by routing South Africa 4-0 in Montpellier. Germany topped Group B with a 3-0 record and will play a third-place team in its Round of 16 match Saturday in Grenoble.

❚ Spain and China played to a scoreless draw in Le Havre that advanced both squads to the Round of 16. Although both teams finished 1-1-1, Spain placed second in Group B on goal differential. Spain advanced to the knockout stage for the first time and will face the winner of Group F on Monday in Reims, likely the USA if the Americans win or draw in its match against Sweden.