The stunning upsets sent twice German champions packing in their first exit from the group stage in nine editions of the World Cup. Revived Norway were a big group stage winner, brushing off a turbulent two weeks to squeeze into the knockout rounds on goal difference over New Zealand. Norway's advancement sealed New Zealand's fate, despite the Football Ferns having edged the Norwegians 1-0 for their first win at a World Cup at the tournament's opening match. South Africa are not used to dominating outside their own continent and the nation erupted in celebration after the Banyana Banyana knocked out Italy, quarter-finalists four years ago, to progress with their first ever World Cup win. China's Steel Roses, once titans of women's soccer with silver medals from the 1996 Olympics and 1999 World Cup, were shock losers in the group stage, bowing out in a 6-1 thumping by England.

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Persons: Deneisha Blackwood, Read, Lorne Donaldson, we'll, Anissa Lahmari, Marta, Canada's, Christine Sinclair, Sam Kerr, Matildas, Tony Gustavsson, Kailen Sheridan, Winger Caroline Graham Hansen, Hege Riise, Banyana, Cyril Ramaphosa, Shui Qingxia, Shui, Lori Ewing, Michael Perry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Jamaica, Brazil, Melbourne, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, ARM, Olympic, Football Ferns, U.S, United, debutants, England, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Jamaica, Brazil, Melbourne, Australia, SYDNEY, Morocco, South Africa, Norway, Germany, Canada, China, Perth, South Korea, Brisbane, Korea, New, Eden Park, Portugal, United States, debutants Portugal, Italy, England