Host France remains perfect
France completed World Cup group play with a 3-0 record for the first time, beating Nigeria 1-0 Monday night at Rennes when Wendie Renard converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute after missing her first 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 quarterfinal against the United States, 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 finish a player short.
Norway 2, South Korea 1: At REIMS, France — Norway eliminated South Korea by scoring on two penalties in a victory.
Caroline Graham Hansen scored after five minutes and Isabell Herlovsen beat goalkeeper Kim Min-jung from the spot six minutes into the second half.
Yeo Min-ji converted in the 78th minute but couldn’t spark a South Korean comeback.
South Korea went 0-3 in France with one goal while allowing eight. Norway advanced to the round of 16 as runnersup in Group A, which was won by host nation France.
Spain 0, China 0: At LE HAVRE, France — Spain and China played to a scoreless draw that advanced both squads to the round of 16.
Spain finished second in Group B behind Germany. La Roja advanced to the knockout stage for the first time and will face the winner of Group F on Monday at Reims — likely the United States if the Americans win or draw in their final group match against Sweden.
China has advanced to the knockout stage at each of its seven World Cup appearances. It finished third in the group at 1-1-1. Spain also finished 1-1-1.
Germany 4, South Africa 0: At MONTPELLIER, France — Germany is playing like a title contender, just at the right time.
After seeing her team start the Women’s World Cup with a pair of one-goal wins, Germany coach Martina VossTecklenburg told her players to keep the game simple.
Germany played to its status as the world’s second-ranked side and one of the top challengers hoping to dethrone the United States, routing South Africa to top Group B with a 3-0 record. The Germans will play a third-place team in the round of 16 instead of the possibility of an immediate matchup with the Americans.
Melanie Leupolz opened the scoring in the 14th minute with her first goal for Germany since the 2016 Olympics. Sara Dabritz doubled the lead in the 29th minute from a goal-keeping blunder, Alexandra Popp made it 3-0 in the 40th and Lina Magull added the final goal in the 58th.