The hosts and two time defending champions Germany opened with a 2-1 win over Canada at the FIFA Womens World Cup. Germany dominated long stretches of the match but were unable to put Canada away. Germany led 2-0 on first half goals from Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi, but squandered several other quality chances. A late Christine Sinclair freekick pulled Canada back to 2-1. Germany were able to see the match out to the delight of over 73,000 fans. The Sinclair goal broke the long German shutout streak that dated back to the 2003 World Cup.
In the other Group A fixture, France slipped past Nigeria 1-0 in an entertaining match. Marie-Laure Delie scored in the 56th minute at Rhein-Neckar-Arena for a French team that went undefeated in qualifying. The French dominated most of the game, with playmaker Louisa Necib limiting many of her moves to midfield rather than pressuring Nigeria's defense upfield. The Olympique Lyon star was honored as Player of the Match.
"She is an artist," Bini said. "She was working for the team."
Oddly, France scored on one of Necib's few errors. When Eugenie Le Sommer crossed from the right, Necib missed her shot, allowing Delie to take the ball in the center, control it and stab it home.
Nigeria faces another uphill battle now. They are the perennial African champion having reached all five women's World Cups. But all too often the team has failed to get out of the first round.
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