Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winners Germany handed tournament debutants Côte d’Ivoire a harsh welcome to the competition, beating the newcomers 10-0 to make a flying start in Group B for the Europeans.
Germany had never lost their opening match at the Women’s World Cup, and no African side has yet managed to find victory during their first game. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Germany established their dominance early on and in the third minute the floodgates opened. Celia Sasic started the scoring by passing into an empty net, and she later doubled Germany’s lead with an open header.
Anja Mittag found her way onto the scoresheet next. Sasic then completed her first-half hat-trick 15 minutes before the break with another simple tap-in. The best goal of the game was Mittag’s second of the day, coming ten minutes ahead of half-time when right-back Tabea Kemme served in a delightful cross that found the No11 alone in the middle of the area, who hammered the ball into the back of the net.
Despite having to pick the ball out of her net on a number of occasions, Côte d’Ivoire goalkeeper Dominque Thiamale had several brave moments throughout the match as the scoreline indeed could have been even higher. Les Elephantes fortunes were no different after the break. 20 minutes into the second half Mittag collected her hat-trick, Simone Laudehr later made it 7-0 and half-time substitute Sara Daebritz made it eight shortly thereafter.
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer misjudged a cross late on to give Côte d’Ivoire a sniff of the goal, but Ange Nguessan’s header sailed over the crossbar. Germany swiftly responded with goals from Melanie Behringer and Alexandra Popp to round off the scoring.