Germany stops Nigeria, reaches Women’s World Cup quarters

Alexandra Popp had just scored a go-ahead goal against Nigeria in her 100th international appearance when Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita signalled for a video review to determine whether a German teammate Svenja Huth, who was in an offside position, obstructed the view of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nigeria’s Halimatu Ayinde, left, vies for the ball with Germany’s Sara Daebritz during the Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Nigeria at Stade del Alpes in Grenoble, France, Saturday, June 22, 2019. Daebritz scored once in Germany’s 3-0 victory. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

“I was a bit irritated to be honest,” the German captain said through a translator.

Popp’s goal stood, and a few minutes later the match was stopped for another video review, this time to determine whether Germany’s Lina Magull had been fouled in the penalty area by Evelyn Nwabuoko. Having seen the stud marks in her teammate’s leg, Popp was pleased the referee took a look and awarded a penalty kick.

“Otherwise, I would have asked myself why we were using this technology,” Popp said, “so it was quite obvious in the pictures.”

Nigeria’s Osinachi Ohale heads the ball next to Germany’s Lea Schueller, right, during the Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Nigeria at Stade del Alpes in Grenoble, France, Saturday, June 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Germany advanced to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals for the eighth straight time, beating African champion Nigeria 3-0 Saturday at Grenoble, France.

Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby endorsed VAR but said it caused disruptions.

“Football is also a game with a rhythm and if you break the rhythm sometimes that is not good,” he said. “It’s good for the game, but I don’t think anybody really has the final solution for VAR yet.”

Popp scored in the 20th minute. Sara Däbritz made it 2-0 in the 27th with the penalty kick and Lea Schüller got the final goal in the 82nd.

Germany’s Sara Daebritz, right, vies for the ball with Nigeria’s Halimatu Ayinde during the Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Nigeria at Stade del Alpes in Grenoble, France, Saturday, June 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

“All the interruptions are quite difficult to handle, especially emotionally, but we tried to keep calm,” Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said through a translator. “Maybe they can speed up the whole process.”

Players are unsure when a video review will be signalled.

“It was a bit of insecurity throughout the match because we didn’t quite know what was assessed in a certain moment,” Popp said. “But in general, I think it’s important to have this sort of assessment.”

(Associated Press)