France, Germany first to 9 points

Both finish group play undefeated

France completed World Cup group play with a 3-0 record for the first time, beating Nigeria 1-0 Monday night in Rennes, France, 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 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 finish 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.

A crowd of 28,267 watched host nation Les Bleues outshoot Nigeria 22-2 and hold 69% possession.

Nigeria finished third in Group A with three points and a -2 goal difference, and the Super Falcons will have to wait to find out whether they can advance as one of the four top third-place teams.

❚ In Reims, Norway knocked South Korea out of the World Cup by scoring on two penalties in a 2-1 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.

Group B

❚ In Montpellier, Germany won its group for the fifth consecutive time and avoided an immediate matchup with the USA by routing South Africa 4-0.

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. Two-time tournament champion Germany has not lost a match in group play since falling to Sweden in 1995.

❚ In Le Havre, 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. Spain advanced to the knockout stage for the first time and will face the winner of Group F on Monday in Reims – likely the USA if the Americans win or draw in its final group match against Sweden.