All five of the top ranked teams made it into the Quarter-Finals. The unpopular Golden Goal rule was dropped and instead matches that were level after 90 minutes would be decided by 30 minutes of extra-time followed, if necessary, by a penalty competition. In the event extra-time was not required in any of the matches.
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Knock Out Stages
Germany
Korea DPR
Germany survived an early fright following a mix up in the defence but Hong Myong Gum poked the ball just wide. Garefrekes scored just before half-time, evading the attentions of four defenders and chipping the ball inside the far post. In the second-half Lingor played a neat one-two with Smisek before placing the ball beyond the reach of the Korean 'keeper. Krahn wrapped up the game. heading home from a corner.
United States
England
Second-half goals from Wambach (48'), Boxx (57') and Lilly (60') eased the United States team into the semi-finals.
Norway
China PR
China's hopes of the title were dashed by Norway, whose goal was scored by Herlovsen in the 32nd minute.
Brazil
Australia
Fomriga scored in the fourth minute with a long-range shot that went over the diminutive Australian goakeeper at full stretch and clipped the underside of the bar. Marta made it 2-0 from the penalty spot (23'). The Matildas then staged a remarkable come-back, De Vanna taking advantage of a poor backpass to score in the 36th minute. Colthorpe equalised in the 68th minute, beating the Brazilian goalkeeper to a high ball to head home. Seven minutes later Cristiane drove the ball through a crowd of defenders on the edge of the area and once again Barbieri could not reach the ball.
Germany
Norway
The first half was even but three minutes before the break Trine Rønning turned a fast cross into her own net. In the 72nd minute Stegemann sent a high, looping ball over the goalkeeper and in off the post. Three minutes later Martina Müller chased a long ball that a Norwegian defender reached first but whose touch let her down, allowing Müller to run on to the ball and clip it past the goalkeeper.
United States
Brazil
Brazil stunned the United States team with their attacking play. The first goal came from a corner that Osborne turned into her own goal at the near post. Seven minutes later Marta cut in from the right wing and sent in a fierce drive that beat the goalkeeper at the near post. Cristiane made it 3-0 in the 56th minute and Marta added a fourth with a superb solo effort.
Norway
United States
Three goals in the second half secured the bronze medal for the United States.
Germany
Brazil
The final pitched the defending champions who had not conceded a single goal in the tournament against the free-scoring Brazilians. There was no score in the first half but seven minutes into the second, Prinz broke the deadlock. Brazil had a chance to equalise from a penalty but Marta's kick was saved by Nadine Angerer. With four minutes of normal time left, Laudehr headed home from a corner. Germany were the first women's team to succesfully defend their title.