Korea Republic women’s national team have rounded off their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign with a hard-fought draw with favourites Germany.

Colin Bell’s side drew 1-1 with Germany in their final group match in Brisbane Stadium on Thursday. Cho Sohyun opened the scoring after six minutes before Alexandra Popp restored parity on the stroke of half time.

Having lost against Colombia and Morocco earlier in the group stage, the Taegeuk Nangja ultimately failed to reach the second round after finishing fourth in Group H. Germany did not make it through to the knockout phase, either, with their four points not enough to surpass leaders Colombia and surprise packages Morocco – both on six points.

Despite their premature exit in the group stage, Korea Republic set quite a few milestones during the match against Germany: it was the first time in 13 matches that Korea Republic struck first in the Women’s World Cup. In fact, Cho Sohyun’s opening goal in the sixth minute (five minutes and two second, to be precise) is the quickest one scored ever by any Korea Republic player at the World Cup. The previous record was held by Lee Jungsoo, who scored against Greece after seven minutes (six minutes and 13 seconds) at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010.

Cho also became the oldest scorer of Korea Republic at the world finals at the age of 35 years and 40 days, surpassing the record previous held by Hwang Sunhong, whose opener against Poland at Korea/Japan 2002 at the age of 33 years and 325 days. Cho is also the only female player from Korea Republic to have scored two goals in the World Cup.

Casey Phair became the youngest player to start a World Cup match at the age of 16 years and 35 days, breaking the previous record held by Park Eunsun who had started against Brazil at USA 2003 at the age of 16 years and 221 days. In the men’s category, Ko Jongsoo became the youngest player to start at the world finals at France 1998, where he started against Mexico at the age of 19 years and 226 days.

Bell reshuffled his side from the two previous games, with Casey Phair and Chun Garam given their first starts in this tournament. Lee Youngju has fully recovered from the injury to make her first appearance at these finals, with Choe Yuri returning to starting XI after coming off the bench against Morocco.

Kim Jungmi stood between the sticks; Jang Selgi, Shim Seoyeon, Kim Hyeri and Choo Hyojoo at the back; Ji Soyun, Lee Youngju and Cho Sohyun in midfield; Choe Yuri, Phair and Chun Garam up front.

The Taegeuk Nangja surged forward from the outset, as they knew they needed goals to reach the round of 16. Cho Sohyun drew first blood after six minutes, when she received a neat through ball from Lee Youngju to break into the centre of the area and score Korea Republic’s first goal of the tournament – and their first opening goal at the world finals.

Germany fought back almost immediately, seizing complete control in midfield to pile the pressure up front. And it looked only a matter of time that Germany would pull one back, as Alexandra Popp headed home after 42 minutes.

In the other Group H fixture held in Perth, Morocco scored against Colombia deep into the first-half stoppage time, as Germany were a in desperate situation to win in order to progress.

Germany picked up where they had left off in the first half, as Korea Republic found themselves on the back foot. Popp thought she had put her side ahead with another header 12 minutes into the second half, only to be ruled out after a VAR review. Three minutes later, the Germany captain saw her powerful header ricochet off the crossbar.

Bell responded by bringing Park Eunsun on for Chun Garam, to mark Popp with the towering forward and move defensive midfielder Lee Youngju into the right flank.

Germany launched a series of attack in search of a late winner in the closing minutes, but Korea Republic held on to claim a precious point.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023

Group H
Korea Republic 1-1 Germany

Goals: Cho Sohyun 6’, Alexandra Popp 42’

KOR: Kim Jungmi, Jang Selgi, Shim Seoyeon, Kim Hyeri, Choo Hyojoo, Ji Soyun, Lee Youngju, Cho Sohyun (Kang Chaerim 90’+9), Casey Phair (Moon Mira 86’), Choe Yuri, Chun Garam (Park Eunsun 63’)