Germany

BERLIN — The German Football Association (DFB) announced that American sportswear giant Nike would become their official supplier from 2027 onwards, ending a decades-long partnership with German firm Adidas.

The DFB said on Thursday Nike would supply all national teams from 2027 to 2034, having made the best financial offer.

"The coming partnership allows the DFB for the next decade to work on central tasks with a view to developing football in Germany," DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.

Germany Adidas split

Germany qualified for this year's Paris Olympics after a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in Heerenveen on Wednesday in the third-place playoff of the women's Nations League.

Klara Buhl's half-volley from close range in the 66th minute and Lea Schueller's header in the 78th sealed the win for Germany, Olympic gold medallists in 2016, who will return to compete at the Games after missing Tokyo 2020.

Germany goal vs. Netherlands

Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have submitted a joint bid to world soccer governing body FIFA to host the Women's World Cup in 2027, the countries' football associations said on Friday.

Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands will face competition from Brazil, who are looking to bring the @FIFAWWC to South America for the first time. pic.twitter.com/VJMEVW4glL

SYDNEY — The unpredictability of results at the Women's World Cup, with former champions bowing out early and debutants advancing, is evidence that playing standards are improving across the board, FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) said on Friday.

The TSG analyzed data from the first 48 matches of the tournament and have concluded that defensive organization is better and goalkeepers are better positioned and making more saves, while fewer goals are being scored.

PERTH — Debutants Morocco stunned Colombia 1-0 in their final group match in Perth on Thursday to reach the last 16 of the Women's World Cup at the first attempt along with their opponents.

The 72nd ranked Moroccans scored through Anissa Lahmari's toe-poke after a saved penalty at the end of the first half but their passage was only secured after South Korea held twice champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in the other Group H match.

MELBOURNE - Talismanic captain Alexandra Popp scored a brace as Germany launched their bid for a third Women's World Cup title with a 6-0 demolition of debutants Morocco on Monday.

In the tournament's most one-sided match to date, veteran striker Popp led from the front, heading in two first-half strikes before Klara Bühl, Lea Schüller and two own goals blew out the score after the break in front of 27,256 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.