2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final

Birgit Prinz provided Germany with 7 goals and 5 assists during the 2003 Women's World Cup

Germany qualified by topping Group 4, finishing with six wins, 30 goals scored, and one goal conceded.[6] They were placed in Group C alongside South American runners-up Argentina, North American runners-up Canada, and inter-continental play-off winner Japan.[7][8] The team, managed by Tina Theune-Meyer and named an early favorite prior to the tournament, usually played in a 4–5–1 formation with Birgit Prinz or a 4–4–2 with Prinz and another striker, supported by Bettina Wiegmann leading the midfield and a roster of younger talent.[9] Germany conceded in the fourth minute of its opening match to Canada's Christine Sinclair, who headed in a free kick, but equalized before half-time from a penalty kick awarded for a handball and taken by Wiegmann. The Germans took the lead early in the second half on a header by Stefanie Gottschlich in the 47th minute, which was followed by goals by Birgit Prinz and substitute Kerstin Garefrekes to win 4–1.[10][11]

The team won 3–0 in their second match against Japan, taking first place in Group C with six points, by using its physical advantage and sustained attacks. Sandra Minnert scored in the 23rd minute on a rebound and was followed by strikes from Prinz in the 36th and 66th minutes.[12] Germany advanced to the knockout stage atop Group C by defeating Argentina 6–1 in their third match, earning nine points and outscoring opponents 13–2. The rout of Argentina began in the third minute with a goal for Maren Meinert, which was followed by another for her, a penalty for Wiegmann, and a half-volley for Prinz in the first half. The team lost defender Steffi Jones to a knee injury in the second half and conceded a consolation goal to Argentina before scoring twice at the end of the match to extend their lead.[13]

Germany played in the quarter-finals against Russia, runners-up of Group D, at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon. The team led 1–0 at half-time, following a goal by Martina Müller in the 25th minute, due to the strong defense offered by the Russians. Germany broke through early in the second half and scored thrice in a five-minute span, including strikes by Minnert, substitute Pia Wunderlich, and Garefrekes. Russia scored a consolation goal in the 70th minute, but Germany scored another trio of goals in the last ten minutes—one more from Garefrekes and two from Prinz.[14][15]

In the semi-finals, Germany faced the United States and defeated them 3–0 in a major upset of the defending champions and hosts.[16] Kerstin Garefrekes's header off a corner kick in the 15th minute opened the scoring for the Germans, while the United States responded by switching to an attack-minded 3–4–3 in the second half and squandered several chances to equalize, forcing saves out of goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg. The Americans pushed forward and left themselves open to counter-attacks, conceding two goals in stoppage time on breakaways that were scored by Meinert and Prinz.[17][18]

Sweden finished first in Group 2, winning five matches and losing one with a 27–4 goal differential to best runners-up Denmark.[19][20] They played in Group A, which was dubbed the "group of death" for the strong lineup of defending world champions and hosts United States, African champions Nigeria, and Asian champions North Korea.[21][22] Sweden lost 3–1 in their opening match against the United States in Washington, D.C., conceding twice in the first half to goals scored by Kristine Lilly and Cindy Parlow, both assisted by Mia Hamm. The lead was cut to 2–1 in the 55th minute by Victoria Sandell Svensson, who finished a long pass from Hanna Ljungberg, but American forward Shannon Boxx scored in the 78th minute to give the hosts a victory.[23]

Four days later in Philadelphia, Sweden defeated North Korea 1–0 with an early goal scored by Svensson in the seventh minute, tying them for second place in the group.[24] Sweden finished second in Group A and advanced to the quarter-finals after their 3–0 victory over Nigeria in Columbus, Ohio, scoring all three goals in the second half. Ljungberg scored twice in the 56th and 79th minutes, the former a header and latter a shot off a pass by Therese Sjögran, and captain Malin Moström scored in the 81st minute on a breakaway.[25]

In the quarter-finals at Gillette Stadium, Sweden faced Brazil, who had previously defeated them in the 1995 World Cup and 2000 Summer Olympics.[26] Svensson opened the scoring on a counterattack in the 23rd minute, but Brazil equalized before half-time through a penalty kick taken by Marta after she was tripped by goalkeeper Sofia Lundgren, who had replaced starting goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson. Sweden were awarded a free kick 24 yards (22 m) from the goal in the 53rd minute, which was converted into a goal by Malin Andersson, while the team resisted several chances from Brazil to defeat them 2–1.[27]

The Swedes then played in the semi-finals against Canada, who had earned an upset victory over China in the quarter-finals.[28] The match remained scoreless in the first half and the deadlock was broken in the 64th minute by Canadian midfielder Kara Lang, who took a free kick from 35 yards (32 m) that slipped out of the hands of Jönsson and spun into the goal.[29] Swedish manager Marika Domanski-Lyfors used all three of her substitutions to bring on more attackers, and the equalizer was scored in the 79th minute by Malin Moström from a free kick. Substitute forward Josefine Öqvist scored the winning goal for Sweden six minutes later, finishing a rebound off a shot by Hanna Ljungberg that was saved by goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek.[30]

German defender Nia Künzer scored the extra time golden goal to win the 2003 Women's World Cup

In the lead-up to the final, Germany were named slight favorites due to their strong midfielders and high goalscoring during the tournament's earlier rounds.[5][38] Both teams played with 4–4–2 formations to begin the match, but Germany deployed one of its attackers in a deeper position instead of in tandem up top.[39] Romanian match official Floarea Cristina Ionescu was selected as the referee for the final.[40]

Sweden held the majority of possession in the first half, winning more duels in the midfield and earning several chances to score. Germany largely counterattacked while trying to cover gaps in their midfield that also left their attackers isolated.[39] Swedish striker Victoria Svensson and German striker Brigit Prinz each had two chances to score near the half-hour mark, forcing saves out of Silke Rottenberg and Caroline Jönsson, respectively. Malin Andersson attempted a half-volley from 25 yards (23 m) in the 30th minute and beat Rottenberg, but the shot went over the crossbar.[41] The opening goal was scored in the 41st minute by Swedish playmaker Hanna Ljungberg, who collected a through pass from Victoria Svensson and shot past Rottenberg from 15 yards (14 m).[42]

Germany kicked off the second half by scoring an equalizing goal within 40 seconds through a strike in the penalty area by Maren Meinert.[43] Kerstin Garefrekes intercepted a pass in the Swedish half and passed it to Prinz, who provided a diagonal ball to Meinert near the edge of the penalty area.[41][44] Sweden substituted two midfielders and responded by retreating into a defensive stance while allowing Ljungberg and Svensson to use their pace to create chances. Germany, emboldened by the goal and with control of the game's pace by midfielder Bettina Wiegmann, pushed forward to find more chances.[39] In the 58th minute, they were denied a penalty after Garefrekes was tripped in the box by defender Jane Törnqvist.[41][44]

Near the end of regulation time, Ljungberg created three chances to regain Sweden's lead that were missed or saved. Her first attempt in the 81st minute was mishit while open in the box and fell to Frida Östberg, who headed the ball into the side-netting. Ljungberg's second try was shot directly at Rottenberg, while the third was intercepted by two German defenders who collided with her.[41][44] Ljungberg then headed an overhead ball that fell to Svensson, who volleyed it from 20 yards (18 m) only to miss.[41] The match remained tied at 1–1 and advanced into sudden death extra time as the two sides traded chances to score with end-to-end play.[39] Referee Floarea Cristina Ionescu awarded a free kick from 35 yards (32 m) after Kerstin Stegemann fell during a challenge from Svensson. Renate Lingor's free kick in the 98th minute found Nia Künzer, a second-half substitute and among the shortest players on the field, who leapt above Kristin Bengtsson to score the match's golden goal with her header.[45][46] Germany celebrated their 2–1 victory by singing a version of Guantanamera,[45] while Sweden manager Marika Domanski Lyfors confronted Ionescu about her controversial free kick call.[43][44]