FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 Group C

Germany stormed through their UEFA qualifying group, winning all six of their matches and scoring 30 goals, conceding just one. They won the UEFA Women's Championship in 1995, 1997 and 2001 and were one of the favourites for the World Cup. Canada were beaten finalists in the 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup. Japan had come through a two-legged play-off with Mexico for their place while Argentina qualified as runners-up in the 2003 Sudamericano Femenino.

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages

2003 Overview

Germany

Canada

Germany 4 Canada 1

Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus (16,340)
20 September

Christine Sinclair got Canada off to the best possible start, heading a long free kick from midfield into the German goal after just four minutes. Shortly before half-time Germany were awarded a penalty for handball following a desparate goal mouth scramble and Wiegman converted it. Two minutes into the second half Gottschlich ran on to a long cross that had bounced once in the area and headed home. Germany were now dominant and Prinz made it 3-1 (75') with another header and Garefrekes added a fourth in added time.

Japan

Argentina

Japan 6 Argentina 0

Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus (16,404)
20 September

On this evidence Argentina were going to find it tough playing at this level. Japan led 2-0 at half-time, both goals scored by Sawa. Yamamoto scored their third (64') but the real damage came in a remarkable eight minute spell during which Otani scored a hat-trick (72', 75', 80').

Germany

Japan

Germany 3 Japan 0

Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus (15,490)
24 September

In the first match of this groups second double-header, Germany secured a place in the next round with goals from Minnert (23') and Prinz (36', 66').

Canada

Argentina

Canada 3 Argentina 0

Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus (15,529)
24 September

With seventeen minutes played Mariela Coronel brought down Christine Latham as she bore down on goal and Canada's captain, Charmaine Hooper conerted the penalty. Late in the second half Latham scored twice in three minutes to put Canada back in contention for the next round.

Canada

Japan

Canada 3 Japan 1

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (14,356)
27 September

With Germany almost certain to beat Argentina, the winners of this match would be going through to the knock out phase. First blood went to Japan (Sawa 20') but Latham put Canada back on even terms 16 minutes later. Sinclair (49') and Lang (72') made the game safe in the second half.

Argentina

Germany

Argentina 1 Germany 6

RFK Stadium, Washington DC (17,618)
27 September

Germany started as they meant to go on, scoring in the third minute and at half-time they were already 4-0 up. Gaitán pulled one back for the South Americans (their only goal of the tournament) while Germany coasted but in the last three minutes Pohlers and Müller scored two more for Germany.