Germany beat France 4-2 to top Group A

MOENCHENGLADBACH, Germany (AFP) - Germany beat France 4-2 to finish top of Group A as French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz became the first player sent off at the Women's World Cup here on Tuesday.

Kerstin Garefrekes and Inka Grings had given the hosts a 2-0 first-half lead with Grings converting a penalty after 68 minutes awarded after Sapowicz was given her marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Fatmire Bajramaj.

Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi scored the fourth for Germany a minute from time after Marie-Laure Delie and Laura Georges had gotten two back for France.

Two-time defending champions Germany set up a quarter-final clash with Japan, who finished second in Group B after losing 2-0 to England in Augsburg.

Second-placed France next play Group B winners England.

Both Germany and France were already through to the last eight with maximum points after their first two ties.

But it was the Germans who made most of the early running in a tense first half on front of a sell-out crowd of 50,000.

Midfielder Bajramaj had an early effort on goal after 15 minutes but France goalie Sapowicz held firm.

But skipper Garefrekes broke the deadlock after 25 minutes when the Frankfurt midfielder rose highest to pick up a freekick and head in her second goal of the tournament.

Six minutes later the hosts were 2-0 up after Duisburg striker Grings latched onto a Simone Laudehr cross to head into goal.

France were transformed in the second half with substitute Delie getting the equaliser after 56 minutes heading in a corner just a minute after her earlier effort had been held by goalie Nadine Angerer.

A Grings free-kick on 60 minutes was held by Sapowicz, but minutes later the Paris Saint Germain goalie was sent off for a dangerous tackle as Bajramaj raced towards goal which saw the Turbine Potsdam midfielder stretchered off.

Sapowicz was replaced by Celine Deville and Grings stepped up to convert the penalty on 68 minutes.

Four minutes later Georges got one back for France before Okoyino Da Mbabi put the result beyond any doubt a minute from time.