Seven from Barça in Germany v Spain

Spain, with five players from FC Barcelona in the opening line-up, have lost 1-0 to Germany in their second Women’s World Cup fixture at the Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes.

Spain played some exquisite football but failed to make the most of their chances, while Germany clinched victory through Sara Däbritz and are practically ensured a place in the last sixteen. Spain, meanwhile, who beat South Africa in their opening fixture, now have it all to do against China in the third and final game.

Goalkeeper Sandra Paños plus Marta Torrejón, Mapi León, Mariona and Alexia Putellas were all from the Barça women’s team in a pulsating tie that saw Germany have 16 shots to Spain’s 15. Patri Guijarro and Aitana Bonmatí both came on in the second half to take our overall representation up to seven.

Wednesday was a considerably more positive day for Asisat Oshoala. She scored the second of Nigeria’s two goals against South Korea, and picked up the MVP award to boot. The three points have done Nigeria the world of good after losing to an impressive Norway on the opening day, but they’ll still need to find something special if they are to progress to the knockout stages. Their final fixture is against host nation France…