Germany needed a piece of individual brilliance from Giulia Gwinn to break down stubborn China 1-0 Saturday in the opening match for both teams in the Women's World Cup in France.

Carolin Simon hit the crossbar for the two-time world champions in the first half, but they could have fallen behind twice after needlessly giving away the ball.

Yang Li was profligate for China, though, and Gwinn struck from 20 yards in the 66th minute to delight the crowd of 15,283 in Rennes.

That goal proved enough for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side in an entertaining Group B encounter.

China spent most of the first half defending, but it also had the best two chances of the opening 45 minutes, the first coming when an errant pass from Germany's Sara Doorsoun led to a breakaway and a gilt-edged 17th-minute opportunity for Yang.

But the forward – following good build-up work from Gu Yasha – took a touch instead of shooting when presented with a clear sight of the goal, a decision that gave Marina Hegering time to get back and make a crucial block.

Germany was denied the opener when Simon's 17th-minute cross floated onto the crossbar, and it should have trailed at the break after another careless possession.

However, Yang, put through on goal by Zhang Rui, could only curl her effort against the post as both sides went to the break scoreless.

The deadlock was finally broken when a corner was only cleared to Gwinn at the edge of the penalty box, who took a touch before rifling into the back of the net, a strike worthy of winning any game.

Germany next faces Spain in Valenciennes on Wednesday, and China takes on South Africa in Paris on Thursday.

 

Key Opta Facts