About 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup

The 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, held in China, was a landmark event in women’s soccer. This tournament, the fifth edition of the Women’s World Cup, showcased the growing popularity and competitive nature of women’s soccer on a global scale. It was a tournament filled with thrilling matches, remarkable individual performances, and significant milestones. This comprehensive article delves into the details of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, exploring the tournament’s background, its significance, the teams that participated, the standout players, and the memorable moments that defined this historic event.

Background and Significance

The decision to host the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China marked a significant milestone in the history of women’s soccer. Originally, the tournament was scheduled to take place in China in 2003. However, due to the SARS epidemic, the event was relocated to the United States. Consequently, FIFA awarded the 2007 tournament to China as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of the country’s efforts in promoting women’s soccer.

The 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup was also significant for several other reasons. It was the first time the tournament featured 16 teams, up from 12 in previous editions, reflecting the growing competitiveness of women’s soccer worldwide. Additionally, this tournament was the first to include a knockout stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final, further increasing the excitement and intensity of the competition.

Participating Teams

The 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw 16 teams from six different confederations compete for the prestigious title. The teams were divided into four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The participating teams were:

1. China PR (Hosts)
2. Germany (Defending Champions)
3. Brazil
4. United States
5. Sweden
6. North Korea
7. Nigeria
8. Denmark
9. England
10. Norway
11. Japan
12. Australia
13. Canada
14. Argentina
15. New Zealand
16. Ghana

These teams represented the best of women’s soccer from around the world, each bringing its unique style and talent to the tournament.

Group Stage

The group stage of the 2007 Women’s World Cup was filled with excitement and drama. Each group provided its fair share of memorable moments, as teams battled for a place in the knockout stage.

Group A

Group A consisted of Germany, England, Japan, and Argentina. Germany, the defending champions, dominated the group, winning all three of their matches and scoring an impressive 11 goals without conceding any. England secured the second spot in the group with a win and two draws. Japan and Argentina, despite their best efforts, were unable to advance to the knockout stage.

Group B

Group B featured the United States, North Korea, Sweden, and Nigeria. The United States topped the group with two wins and a draw, while North Korea finished second with one win and two draws. Sweden, a traditionally strong team, was unable to advance, managing only one win. Nigeria, despite their spirited performances, finished at the bottom of the group.

Group C

Group C included Norway, Australia, Canada, and Ghana. Norway emerged as the group winners with two wins and a draw, while Australia secured the second spot with one win and two draws. Canada and Ghana, despite showing promise, were unable to make it to the knockout stage.

Group D

Group D was composed of Brazil, China PR, Denmark, and New Zealand. Brazil topped the group with three convincing wins, showcasing their attacking prowess. China PR, the host nation, finished second with two wins. Denmark and New Zealand, despite their efforts, were eliminated in the group stage.

Knockout Stage

The knockout stage of the 2007 Women’s World Cup was filled with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. The quarter-finals saw the top eight teams battle for a place in the semi-finals.

Quarter-finals

1. Germany vs. North Korea: Germany continued their dominant form, defeating North Korea 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals.
2. United States vs. England: In a highly anticipated match, the United States emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over England.
3. Brazil vs. Australia: Brazil showcased their attacking flair, defeating Australia 3-2 in a closely contested match.
4. Norway vs. China PR: Norway edged out the host nation China PR with a 1-0 victory, securing their place in the semi-finals.

Semi-finals

1. Germany vs. Norway: Germany continued their impressive run, defeating Norway 3-0 to reach the final.
2. Brazil vs. United States: In one of the most memorable matches of the tournament, Brazil stunned the United States with a 4-0 victory, thanks to a brilliant performance by Marta.

Final and Third-Place Match

The final of the 2007 Women’s World Cup was a clash between two footballing powerhouses: Germany and Brazil. The match took place on September 30, 2007, at the Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai.

Third-Place Match

The third-place match saw the United States face Norway. The United States emerged victorious with a 4-1 win, securing the bronze medal.

The Final: Germany vs. Brazil

The final was a highly anticipated encounter, with Germany looking to defend their title and Brazil aiming to win their first Women’s World Cup. The match lived up to its billing, with both teams displaying their skills and determination.

Germany took the lead in the 52nd minute through a goal from Birgit Prinz. Brazil had a golden opportunity to equalize when they were awarded a penalty, but German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer made a crucial save to deny Marta. Germany doubled their lead in the 86th minute with a goal from Simone Laudehr, securing a 2-0 victory and their second consecutive Women’s World Cup title.

Standout Players and Performances

The 2007 Women’s World Cup witnessed several standout performances from individual players who left an indelible mark on the tournament.

Marta (Brazil)

Marta, the Brazilian forward, was undoubtedly the star of the tournament. She scored seven goals, including a stunning solo effort against the United States in the semi-finals. Her skill, speed, and creativity earned her the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player and the Golden Boot as the top scorer.

Nadine Angerer (Germany)

Nadine Angerer, the German goalkeeper, was another standout performer. She did not concede a single goal throughout the tournament, a remarkable achievement that played a crucial role in Germany’s success. Her penalty save against Marta in the final was a defining moment.

Birgit Prinz (Germany)

Birgit Prinz, the German forward, was a key player for her team. She scored crucial goals, including the opener in the final against Brazil. Her leadership and experience were invaluable to Germany’s title defense.

Abby Wambach (United States)

Abby Wambach, the American forward, was a standout performer for the United States. She scored crucial goals and was a constant threat to opposing defenses. Her performances helped the United States secure a third-place finish.

Legacy and Impact

The 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup left a lasting legacy and had a significant impact on women’s soccer worldwide. The tournament was a showcase of the growing popularity and competitiveness of women’s soccer. It drew large crowds and garnered significant media attention, helping to raise the profile of the women’s game.

One of the most significant legacies of the 2007 Women’s World Cup was the increased investment in women’s soccer. The success of the tournament demonstrated the commercial viability of the women’s game, leading to increased sponsorship, funding, and development programs. This, in turn, contributed to the growth of women’s soccer at all levels, from grassroots to professional leagues.

The tournament also had a profound impact on the participating teams and players. For Germany, winning their second consecutive Women’s World Cup title solidified their status as one of the dominant forces in women’s soccer. For Brazil, the tournament showcased the immense talent and potential of their women’s team, led by the phenomenal Marta.

The 2007 Women’s World Cup also had a significant impact on the development of women’s soccer in China. As the host nation, China PR received widespread support and attention, which helped to boost the popularity of the women’s game in the country. The tournament provided a platform for Chinese players to showcase their talent and inspired a new generation of female soccer players.

Sure! Here is a table of the match schedule and scores for each team during the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup:

Group Stage

Match #	Date	Group	Team 1	Score	Team 2	Venue
1	Sept 10	A	Germany	11-0	Argentina	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
2	Sept 11	A	Japan	2-2	England	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
3	Sept 11	B	United States	2-2	North Korea	Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu
4	Sept 11	B	Sweden	1-1	Nigeria	Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu
5	Sept 12	C	Norway	2-1	Canada	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou
6	Sept 12	C	Australia	4-1	Ghana	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou
7	Sept 12	D	Brazil	5-0	New Zealand	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan
8	Sept 12	D	China PR	3-2	Denmark	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan
9	Sept 14	A	England	0-0	Germany	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
10	Sept 14	A	Argentina	0-1	Japan	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
11	Sept 14	B	United States	2-0	Sweden	Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu
12	Sept 14	B	North Korea	2-0	Nigeria	Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu
13	Sept 15	C	Canada	4-0	Ghana	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou
14	Sept 15	C	Norway	1-1	Australia	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou
15	Sept 15	D	Brazil	4-0	Denmark	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan
16	Sept 15	D	China PR	2-0	New Zealand	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan
17	Sept 17	A	Germany	2-0	Japan	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
18	Sept 17	A	England	6-1	Argentina	Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
19	Sept 18	B	North Korea	2-1	Sweden	Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu
20	Sept 18	B	United States	1-0	Nigeria	Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu
21	Sept 19	C	Australia	2-2	Canada	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou
22	Sept 19	C	Norway	7-2	Ghana	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou
23	Sept 19	D	Brazil	4-0	China PR	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan
24	Sept 19	D	Denmark	2-0	New Zealand	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan

Knockout Stage

Quarter-finals

Match #	Date	Team 1	Score	Team 2	Venue
25	Sept 22	Germany	3-0	North Korea	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan
26	Sept 22	United States	3-0	England	Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, Tianjin
27	Sept 23	Brazil	3-2	Australia	Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, Tianjin
28	Sept 23	Norway	1-0	China PR	Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium, Wuhan

Semi-finals

Match #	Date	Team 1	Score	Team 2	Venue
29	Sept 26	Germany	3-0	Norway	Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, Tianjin
30	Sept 27	Brazil	4-0	United States	Hangzhou Dragon Stadium, Hangzhou

Third-Place Match

Match #	Date	Team 1	Score	Team 2	Venue
31	Sept 30	United States	4-1	Norway	Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai

Final

Match #	Date	Team 1	Score	Team 2	Venue
32	Sept 30	Germany	2-0	Brazil	Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai

This table includes the group stage matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place match, and the final, along with the dates, scores, and venues for each game.

See Also: The 1978 FIFA World Cup A Historic Tournament

Conclusion

The 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup was a historic and memorable tournament that left an indelible mark on the world of women’s soccer. From the thrilling matches and standout performances to the lasting legacy and impact, the tournament was a celebration of the talent, skill, and dedication of the world’s best female soccer players. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, the 2007 Women’s World Cup will always be remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of women’s soccer, a tournament that showcased the beauty and excitement of the beautiful game.

FAQs: 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup