Wolfsburg restore Frauen-Bundesliga reputation with winning start

Two goals each in the first-half and injury-time saw Wolfsburg start their European campaign with an emphatic victory.

In an end-to-end start to the game. Wolfsburg took the lead from set-piece play in the eighth minute. The ever-present striker Alexander Popp flicked Janou Levels’ corner-kick to the danger zone, and Jackie Groenen was unlucky to have the final touch that led into an own-goal.

The hosts could’ve doubled their advantage right away, but the promising attacker Cora Zicai and the hard-working Lineth Beerensteyn got in each other’s way. Popp was next to come close to extending Wolfsburg’s lead with another superb header from a corner-kick.

It took PSG a half-hour to create their first clear-cut chance. Stina Johannes was called into action to deny Jennifer Echegini from a distance. A minute later, fellow Nigerian international Rasheedat Ajibade missed a glorious chance when she failed to hit the target from close range.

Just when the visitors built some momentum, they conceded the second goal. The 34-year-old duo – Popp and Svenja Huth – played their part in the build-up to Ella Peddemors’ fine strike.

Paulo César made a single substitution at the half-time break, and the Première Ligue outfit regained control. In particular, Merveille Kanjinga was lively at the early stage after the restart. However, Johannes was in top form between the sticks with multiple blocks, including an early contender for the best save of the tournament in the 55th minute.

Similar to the first-half, Wolfsburg nearly flipped the script, though. Popp’s delivery saw Beerensteyn go one-on-one with PSG’s goalie Mary Earps, but the ex-England international stood her ground.

At the other end, Johannes thwarted Kanjinga once again with her sixth save of the night. PSG’s energy decreased in the last ten minutes, but they gave precious playing minutes to a couple of prospects. But it was left for Popp, who was rather at the end of her glittering career, to shine in the injury-time. 

Wolfsburg’s captain got the goal her performance deserved from close range, with Huth providing the assist. And she completed her double from a penalty spot after a handball by Élisa De Almeida.

After their big game against Bayern at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday, Wolfsburg will travel to Norway to face Vålerenga. The Toppserien champions started their European campaign with a narrow defeat to Manchester United.