Alexandra Popp on target again as Germany sweep Finland aside

Alexandra Popp became the first Germany player to score in all three group games of a Women’s Euros as her header helped Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side extend their 100% start to this tournament with a predictably comfortable win over Finland.

As the knockout stages shape up, Germany will face Austria in Brentford on Thursday, playing for the right to return to Stadium MK for a semi-final a week later, probably against Sweden, France or the Netherlands, the three European teams rated above them in the world rankings.

Popp was on target early in the second half as Finland, themselves with a 100% record — unfortunately three straight defeats — acquitted themselves creditably. The Germany captain followed England’s Beth Mead in becoming the first players to score in the three group games.

In the humidity of a midsummer Milton Keynes night, with qualification already assured, Germany had no reason to overstretch themselves. Although they made four changes, two enforced through suspension, they retained the powerful first-choice attacking trio that had pressed Spain so effectively in victory last Tuesday.

This time, against a Finnish side who also knew their group fate, there was less call for Svenja Huth, Popp and Klara Bühl to exert themselves as the first line of defence. Finland have helped light up this championship with their positivity, not least when they had gone ahead against Spain in their opening game, but they have fulfilled pre-tournament expectations as rank outsiders alongside Northern Ireland, eliminated after two games.

Here, they were obliged to defend deep and with numbers behind the ball, closer to their goal than they would have liked, relieved when Sara Däbritz blasted over early on, and Giulia Gwinn