FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 Group B

Remarkably all four of the teams drawn into Group B were also drawn togather in the group stage four years previously. Furthermore, according to the most recently published FIFA rankings, three of the five top teams in the world appeared in this group (USA 1st, Sweden 3rd, Korea DPR 5th) so it was instantly dubbed "the group of death," a term the world media had decided needed to be awarded at every international tournament that drew good teams together.

Nigeria were once again the champions of Africa while North Korea had finished third in the AFC Women's Championship. The United States were holders of the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup while Sweden had won their UEFA Qualifying Group with ease.

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

2007 Overview

United States

north korea 2007 womens world cup 1sy kit

Korea DPR

United States 2 Korea DPR 2

Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu (35,100)
11 September

All the goals came in a dramatic 20 minute spell in the second half. Wambach put the USA ahead, receiving the ball on the edge of the area and firing in a drive that was too fierce for the Korean goalkeeper to stop in the wet conditions. Eight minutes later, with Wambach off the field receiving treatment for a cut head, Ki Son-Hui fired in a long shot that skidded off Hope Solo's gloves and into the goal. Two minutes later, amid confusion in the American defence, the ball broke to Kim Yong-Ae for an easy goal. In the 69th minute Heather O'Reilly crashed home the equaliser after the ball had pinballed around the Korean penalty area.

Sweden

Nigeria

Sweden 1 Nigeria 1

Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu (21,740)
11 September

Uwak scored a late equaliser in the second match of this double header that left all four teams level with a single point.

United States

Sweden

United States 2 Sweden 0

Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu (35,600)
14 September

Abby Wambach put the United States into the lead from a penalty in the first half. After the break she scored again, taking the ball on her chest and volleying it home from 12 metres.

Korea DPR

Nigeria

Korea DPR 2 Nigeria 0

Chengdu Sports Centre, Chengdu (35,600)
14 September

Two goals in four minutes (Kim Hyong-Hwa 17', Ri Kum-Suk 21") were enough to dispose of Nigeria and put North Korea level on points with the USA at the top of the table.

Korea DPR

Sweden

Korea DPR 1 Sweden 2

Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium, Tianjin (33,196)
18 September

If Sweden could beat North Korea by two clear goals they would finish level on points and goal difference and they would go through by virtue of winning this game. Schelin gave them the perfect start, heading in from close range but in the Ri Un-Suk equalised with a long range drive that flew into the far top corner (22'). Although Schelin scored again in the second half the Swedes could not find the extra goal needed and North Korea qualified for the knock-out stages on goal difference.

Nigeria

United States

Nigeria 0 United States 1

Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai (26,100)
18 September

In the first minute, following a long throw-in, Chalupny poked the ball home from point blank range. The African champions threw everything they had but the USWNT's defence held firm.