Germany blows out Russia to make semifinals
PORTLAND, Ore. - Germany scored three goals in a
five-minute span of the second half on Thursday to rout Russia 7-1
in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup.
The Germans, who have outscored their World Cup competition 20-3
while going 4-0, play the United States in the semifinals on
Sunday, also at Portland's PGE Park.
Birgit Prinz and Kerstin Garefrekes each scored twice for
Germany, which had six second-half goals.
Sandra Minnert began Germany's goal flurry with a header off a
corner kick by Stefanie Gottsclich that made it 2-0 in the 57th
minute. Pia Wunderlich, who had just entered the game, took a feed
off the back of Prinz's foot and scored from in front of the net in
the 60th minute. Garefrekes scored two minutes later to make it
4-0.
Prinz scored her fifth World Cup goal in the 81st minute and,
after Garefrekes scored again, added her sixth in the 89th minute.
Russia averted a shutout with Elena Danilova's goal in the 72nd
minute.
Germany, ranked third in the world behind the United States and
China, has never lost to Russia in women's soccer. The Germans are
9-0-2 in the series, outscoring the Russians 36-3.
Germany was without defender Steffi Jones, who tore a tendon in
her right knee during the second half of Saturday's victory over
Argentina.
Russian goalkeeper Alla Volkova had allowed only two goals in
her first three World Cup matches.