The Germany women’s national team continue their impressive 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign as they made it seven straight wins when they defeated Portugal 3-0 on Saturday, April 9. Lena Oberdorf (40′), Klara Bühl (55′) and Felicitas Rauch (80′) scored the goals for the home side in a Group H encounter at the SchücoArena in Bielefeld, Germany. Germany enjoy a six-point lead in their group after Saturday’s win.

Germany head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg started with a 4-3-3 formation against the Seleção and Svenja Huth as the captain, while regular captain Alexandra Popp made her international comeback in the latter stages of the match after an one-year long injury break.

The German side dominated the match right from kick-off despite difficult weather conditions which resulted in sunshine, heavy rainfall and snowfall within the 90 minutes. Germany created several promising chances in the early stages of the match. Svenja Huth and Tabea Waßmuth were denied the opening goal in the 2nd minute as Portugal goalkeeper Inês Pereira impressed with a great save. Pereira once again displayed her goalkeeping talent three minutes later, when she parried Klara Bühl’s attempt from within the box, before saving a Lina Magull header in 8th minute.

Germany increased the pressure on the visitors, while goalkeeper Merle Frohms easily managed to save the rare Portuguese chances. It was just a matter of time for the home side to open the score sheet in front of 7,364 fans at the SchücoArena.

Lena Oberdorf finally broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, when she headed home a perfect cross from Huth. Germany went into the half-time break with a deserved 1-0 lead and great self-confidence.

In the 55th minute, Klara Bühl increased Germany’s lead with a fine strike from a perfectly timed pass by Giulia Gwinn. Germany were on the right track to continue their perfect qualifying campaign.

Spurred by the 2-0 lead and the great fan support, Voss-Tecklenburg ensured another emotional highlight when she brought on Alexandra Popp in place of Dzsenifer Marozsán in the 59th minute. Popp had been sidelined with a knee injury for the last year and the Wolfsburg striker had to suffer several setbacks during her recovery.

Germany continued to put further pressure on Portugal and they were rewarded for their performance with a third goal. Svenja Huth provided another assist which found Felicitas Rauch. Rauch made no mistakes while putting the ball past Pereira into the back of the net to secure Germany a 3-0 win.

Voss-Tecklenburg’s side travel to Stara Pazova to face Serbia in their next World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, April 12. Germany are top of Group H with 21 points from seven matches, while Serbia (15 pts.) and Portugal (13 pts.) stay behind. A win against Serbia would seal Germany’s spot at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals in Australia and New Zealand.

Match Stats

FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – European Qualifiers – Group H
at the SchücoArena in Bielefeld, Germany

Germany 3-0 Portugal

Goals

1-0 Lena Oberdorf (40′)
2-0 Klara Bühl (55′)
3-0 Felicitas Rauch (80′)

Line-ups

Germany
Merle Frohms – Giulia Gwinn (86′ Nicole Anyomi), Kathrin Hendrich, Jana Feldkamp, Felicitas Rauch – Lena Oberdorf, Lina Magull (86′ Chantal Hagel), Dzsenifer Marozsán (59′ Alexandra Popp) – Svenja Huth [C], Tabea Waßmuth (70′ Laura Freigang), Klara Bühl (70′ Jule Brand)

Unused Subs:
Almuth Schult, Ann-Kathrin Berger, Sophia Kleinherne, Sjoeke Nüsken, Lea Schüller, Ramna Petzelberger, Sara Doorsoun-Khajeh

Portugal
Inês Pereira – Catarina Amado, Diana Gomes, Carole, Joana Marchão (61′ Andreia Jacinto) – Tatiana Pinto, Diana Silva, Andreia Norton (82′ Vanessa Marques) – Ana Borges, Dolores Silva [C] (29′ Fátima Pinto), Jéssica Silva (82′ Ana Capeta)

Unused Subs:
Patrícia Morais, Rute Costa, Alícia Correia, Sílvia Rebelo, Mélissa Gomes, Andreia Faria, Mariana Azevedo

Bookings

Yellow Cards
27′ Jéssica Silva (Portugal)
53′ Lina Magull (Germany)
68′ Diana Gomes (Portugal)

Match Officials

Referee
Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)

Assistant Referees
Heini Hyvönen (Finland), Tonja Weckström (Finland)

Fourth Official
Sini Hakala (Finland)