Germany 1-2 Colombia: Late drama as Manuela Vanegas gives South Americans huge Women’s World Cup upset win

Colombia’s Manuela Vanegas scored a 97th-minute winner to seal a shock 2-1 win over Germany to throw Group H of the Women’s World Cup wide open.

The first half was a feisty affair with the South Americans frustrating their opponents with some physical challenges.

Germany eventually found some rhythm with Alexandra Popp spurning two headed chances.

And Popp should have broken the deadlock before half-time after being presented with a glorious opportunity, but she volleyed over from close range.

The Germans brought on Sjoeke Nusken at the break to bolster the midfield but they fell behind when Real Madrid star Linda Caicedo produced a moment of magic to curl the ball into the far corner from a tight angle.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side piled on the pressure thereafter and they were awarded a penalty two minutes from time when Lena Oberdorf was brought down by the goalkeeper.

And Popp stepped up and converted her spot-kick down the centre which looked to have earned her side a point.

But the Colombians, led by the energy of Mayra Ramirez, did not give up and grabbed a winner in the 96th minute when Vanegas headed in a corner.

What a strike from Linda Caicedo.

The 18-year-old is becoming a household name after her recovery from cancer, a goal against South Korea on her senior tournament debut and now scoring a memorable goal in a World Cup. She looked to have too much to do but jinked past two challenges and curled a stunning shot into the top corner from a tight angle.

Daniela Arias (Colombia): Any of Colombia’s defenders would have been a deserved winner but Arias was a constant thorn in Germany’s side with her work-rate, tackling and playing on the edge.

GERMANY: Frohms 5, Hagel 6, Hendrich 6, Huth 6, Doorsoun 5, Oberdorf 7, Dabritz 6, Buhl 5, Magull 5, Brand 6, Popp 7. Subs: Schuller 5, Nuesken 5, Anyomi n/a.

COLOMBIA: Perez 8, Vanegas 8, Arias D 7, Arias C 7, Carabali 7, Bedoya 6, Montoya 6, Andrade 6, Ramirez 8, Usme 8, Caicedo 8. Subs: Santos 6, Ospina 5, Ramos n/a.

42′ – BIG CHANCE! Oberdorf’s cross falls to Popp who mis-hits her volleys over the bar from close range in acres of space.

52′ – GOAL FOR COLOMBIA! A shot is blocked, it falls to Caicedo who jinks past two challenges and fires a brilliant shot in to the top corner from inside the box.

88′ – PENALTY TO GERMANY! The keeper is booked for bringing down Oberdorf after rounding Perez. Popp scores the penalty.

90’+6 – GOAL FOR COLOMBIA! From a corner, its headed down into the net by Vanegas!

Alexandra Popp has now scored 65 goals in 130 caps for Germany.