Nigeria VS France
It took a remarkable six-minute period in the second half for what had been a largely uneventful Women's World Cup match to come to life in Rennes as France beat Nigeria 1-0 in a controversial and dramatic fashion.
In most part of the game, the super falcons seemed up to the task of facing France, who had won 15 of it's last 16 group match, with a very compact defence and well organized team.
But on the 73rd minute, the Video Assistant Referee(VAR) came into play and created a period of theatre.
Nigeria defender Ngozi Ebere had brought down Viviane Asseyi inside the box, leaving the referee, Melissa Borjas, award for the spot kick when she opted for a VAR check.
Ebere was subsequently shown a red card for a second bookable offence, while France defender Wendi Renard went in to hit the post from the spot-only for the VAR to give France a lifeline by penalizing Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie for stepping away from her line before the ball was it.
Renard retook the penalty and this time dispatched her effort with aplomb to give the hosts what proved to be the match-winning goal.
Though, Germany had qualified for the knock out rounds, but that didn't stop them from dismantling South Africa in it's final group stage match.
German attacks came through thick and fast in Marseille, and victory would have been by a greater margin had Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's team not squandered several chances in front of goal.
Goals from Melanie Leupolz, Sara Daebritz, Alexandra Popp and Lina Maguel sealed the victory for the Germans leaving South Africa it's first ever World Cup with three defeats from three matches.
Spain VS China
Spain played out a 0-0 draw in Le Havre with China which saw both teams progress to the last 16.
Spain, which finished second in group B on goal difference, has reached knock out stages of the World Cup for the first time and is likely to face the dreaded defending champions US in the next round.
Former finalist China, which has never failed to progress beyond the group stages, is guaranteed to finish as a best third-place side and could face England.
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