The third place game for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 took place at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on Saturday, when England faced Germany. The No. 1 ranked team in the world was coming of a 2-0 defeat to the United States and needed to bounce back against a heartbroken England squad. England was seconds away from perhaps playing in their first ever World Cup Final when an own goal in stoppage time by Laura Bassett sent the Brits home broken hearted, and Japan back to the Final.
In the bronze medal match, Germany was constantly knocking on England’s door, but couldn't break through for a goal. England bounced back in the second half, as they began to press, creating a few chances of their own towards the end of regulation.
The first and only goal of the game finally came in the 108th minute when England was awarded a penalty for a foul in the box and Fara Williams stepped up, burying the spot kick, giving England their first ever victory over Germany, and their best finish in the Women's World Cup in their country's history.
England never beat Germany before in history; England has qualified for FIFA Women’s World Cup four times, reaching the quarterfinals stage on the first three occasions, further progressing to the semifinals this 2015 where lost against Japan 2-1 with an auto goal in the last minute. They faced for their first time third place match against Germany team winning in the second half of extra time, in this way England create history with Germany win.
After regular time England was hard rival for Germany taking game to extra time. England outlasted two-time champions Germany after 108 minutes playing to secure a third-place thanks to a lone Fara Williams penalty, controversial for experts. After 21 attempts against No. 1 ranked it was the first time-ever England win over Germany as well.
The action started on eight minutes as a Tabea Kemme’s cross caused chaos for England forcing Steph Houghton to hook clear off the line just moments after receiving treatments for an ankle injury. England soon found their way and creates several opportunities; most notably Houghton failed to make good contact from close range superb work down the right from the always lively Lucy Bronze.
At the end of regular time, England clearly finished stronger than Germany shaded the first period of extra time with a succession of corners causing concern for Bardsley. Finally the deadlock broken a minute into a second period of extra time with Kebbe deemed to have hauled down substitute Lianne Sanderson. Williams, just as she had done in the semifinal against Japan, coolly converted by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
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