Fifa Women’s World Cup: France top group A as Nigeria pay the VAR penalty

Monday’s Fifa Women’s World Cup results

• Group A: Nigeria 0 France 1; South Korea 1 Norway 2
• Group B: China 0 Spain 0; South Africa 0 Germany 4

Host nation top group A

France are through to the last-16 of the Women’s World Cup after a controversial 1-0 victory over Nigeria.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The host nation were awarded a penalty with just over ten minutes to go after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged that Viviane Asseyi was fouled inside the area.

Wendie Renard stepped up to take the spot-kick but her effort hit the post and went wide.

However, VAR ruled that Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie moved off her line too early and a second penalty was awarded.

Renard made no mistake and the victory secured top spot for France in group A.

French head coach Corinne Diacre said: “There are new rules so we know that the goalkeeper has to have at least one foot on the line, which wasn’t the case.

“That’s why she was given a yellow card and that was a little bit severe for her but we have to apply the rules.

“I’d like to commend the courage Wendie showed. She had that tenacity to go back to the penalty spot and take that kick.”

Nigeria manager Thomas Dennerby was not happy with the decision and was “furious” with the officials, The Guardian reports. Dennerby said: “If I gave you honest opinions, they would probably send me home.”

After beating South Korea 2-1 Norway are also through to the round of 16 after finishing second behind France in group A. Nigeria still hope to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, the BBC reports.

Germany, Spain and China also through

Germany have qualified as group B winners after a 4-0 win over South Africa. They are joined in the last-16 by Spain and China who both end the group stage with four points from three matches.

Spain’s goal difference means they qualify as group B runners-up, but China are also through as they are guaranteed to finish as one of the best third-placed sides.

Today’s World Cup fixtures

Group C concludes this evening with Jamaica facing Australia and Italy taking on Brazil. Italy currently top the group with six points from two games while Brazil and Australia are level on three points. Jamaica are yet to win a point.

Fifa Women’s World Cup fixtures

BBC Sport will show coverage of the World Cup. All times BST.

Tuesday 18 June

• Group C: Jamaica vs. Australia (8pm, BBC red button and online); Italy vs. Brazil (8pm, BBC Four)

Wednesday 19 June

• Group D: Japan vs. England (8pm, BBC One); Scotland vs. Argentina (8pm, BBC Four and BBC ALBA)

Thursday 20 June

• Group E: Cameroon vs. New Zealand (5pm, BBC red button and online); Netherlands vs. Canada (5pm, BBC online)
• Group F: Sweden vs. US (8pm, BBC Four); Thailand vs. Chile (8pm, BBC red button and online)

Knockout dates

• 22-25 June: round of 16
• 27-29 June: quarter-finals
• 2-3 July: semi-finals
• 6 July: third/fourth-placed match

When is the final?

The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup final will be played in Lyon on Sunday 7 July (4pm BST).