Women's World Cup Qualifiers: Austria end Germany's perfect start

Austria held ten-woman Germany to a goalless draw in the Women's World Cup qualifiers.

Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Germany dropped points for the first time in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 World Cup after a goalless draw in Austria. Christian Wück's side won 5-1 when the two teams met on Monday on matchday three.

With Giulia Gwinn going off injured in that game, Austria's Barbara Dunst was the only player from the champions-elect Bayern Munich in the lineups of the two teams. Wolfsburg's Janina Minge took the captain's armband in her absence, but her game was ended in the 79th minute with a straight red card.

Minge had to stop substitute Julia Hickelsberger with a professional foul after a backpass nearly led to an opening for Austria. However, Germany remained dominant in a game of few chances as Linda Dallmann nearly wins it from close range right before the final whistle.

Austria players and coaches celebrated at the end of the game as it was a surprise result against one of the top teams in Europe. In the other game from the group, Norway completed the double over Slovenia with Signe Gaupset scoring the winner in injury-time for a 3-2 victory. Germany sit top of the group with 10 points as the last set of matches in the group will be played in June.