Women's World Cup 2015: Germany vs Norway match report - Favourites held as Maren Mjelde secures deserved point

Germany's swaggering start to the Women's World Cup came to a sudden halt as the second round of matches opened when they were held to a draw by Norway in Ottawa.

Germany went ahead after six minutes through Anja Mittag and looked on course for another easy win, albeit not by ten goals this time. However Norway, having survived heavy pressure, regained their composure and showed their own ability.

They dominated much of the second period and deserved their equaliser, a superb free-kick from Maren Mjelde.

In the other group B match Thailand edged a five-goal match which was entertaining if ridden with errors. Having gone 3-1 up, with a goal that combined an abysmal offside decision with diabolical defending, Thailand looked likely to be comfortable winners, but the Ivorians came back boldly and almost snatched a draw when they hit the bar in injury time.

While there have been 19 goals in Group B there have only been three in four games in Group A. To emphasise how tight it is had New Zealand’s Amber Hearn converted a penalty late in the first-half against Canada all four teams would have three points.

As it is the hosts held on for a draw and lead the group, but have only scored once, from a controversial penalty, in two games. The match, in Edmonton, was delayed for 30 minutes when the players had to leave the field due to thunderstorms. Earlier on, in the same venue, China finally gained reward for long periods of control when Wang Lisi scored in the last minute to beat the Dutch 1-0.