WINNIPEG, Canada — Germany and Norway advanced with wins to the last 16 of the Women's World Cup Monday as a draw was enough to see host Canada and China through. Favorite Germany beat Thailand 4-0 to progress as Group B leader ahead of Norway which secured its berth by beating Ivory Coast 3-1. Canada was held 1-1 by the Netherlands but it was enough to top Group A ahead of China which was held 2-2 in its fiery do-or-die clash against New Zealand. The four join champion Japan and Brazil, the 2007 runner-up, which is already through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare. Germany came up against stiff resistance from the 29th-ranked Asians in Winnipeg, before Melanie Leupolz broke through after 24 minutes. And two quick-fire headers from second-half substitute Lena Petermann on 56 and 58 minutes got the world's top ranked team into its stride. The damage could have been worse but for solid goalkeeping from Thailand's Waraporn Boonsing before Sara Daebritz got a fourth for the 2003 and 2007 winners on 73 minutes. Germany has seven points from three games, equal with Norway, but ahead on goal difference largely thanks to its 10-0 hammering of Ivory Coast in its opener. Thailand, in third with three points, could still advance as one of the four best third-place finisher, but fellow newcomer Ivory Coast heads home after three loses with three goals scored to 16 conceded. Germany next plays the best third-placed finisher from Group A, C, or D in Ottawa Saturday, as Norway plays the second-placed finisher from Group F, which includes France, England, Colombia and Mexico, next Monday. In Moncton, an Ada Hegerberg double on six and 62 minutes, and a third from Solveig Gulbrandsen on 67 gave 1995 winner Norway all three points against Ivory Coast. Ange N'Guessan got one back for the 67th-ranked Ivory Coast after 71 minutes. Canada was held 1-1 by the Netherlands in Montreal after Ashley Lawrence's early goal was cancelled out by a Kirsten Van De Ven equalizer three minutes from time. The host has five points from three games and as Group A winner next meets the best third-place finisher from Group C, D, or E in Vancouver Sunday. China battled to a 2-2 draw against New Zealand as tempers flared in Winnipeg Stadium. Chinese coach Hao Wei was sent to the stands late for hampering Ria Percival's bid to take a quick thrown in and New Zealand boss Tony Readings refused to shake his hand after the game. A point was good enough for the Chinese, runners-up in 1999, to advance but dumped New Zealand out of the tournament once again in the group stage. — Agencies
