European sides Germany and France booked the first two quarter-final spots in the women's World Cup from Group A on Thursday, eliminating Nigeria and Canada in contrasting fashion. France over-ran CONCACAF champions Canada 4-0 in Bochum to assure their first ever place in the final eight, before defending champions Germany spluttered to a 1-0 win over Nigeria in Frankfurt.
A double from Gaetane Thiney (24, 60) and second-half goals from Camille Abily (66) and Elodie Thomis (83) gave France a maximum six points from two games to take top spot in the group. Germany, also on maximum points, struggled to impose themselves against a battling Nigerian side, however, until midfielder Simone Laudehr scored the crucial goal after 54 minutes. The stage is now set for a much-anticipated clash between the French and Germans in their final group game in front of 50,000 spectators in Moenchengladbach next Tuesday, with top spot in Group A at stake.
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