The German side were already assured of a place in the quarter-finals and progressed from Group D in top spot after recording their third straight victory at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.

Dina Orschmann opened the scoring with a goal of the tournament contender after 13 minutes as she skipped past two defenders before curling an inch-perfect shot into the far corner.

Stefanie Sanders doubled their advantage midway through the first half and South Korea, who needed to better Mexico’s result to stand any chance of sealing a place in the last eight, were not able to find a way back into the match.

In the other match in Group D, Mexico survived a late rally from Venezuela to earn a nail-biting 3-2 win at Bava Park.

Mexico looked to be cruising into the next round after Kiana Palacios' early first-half brace and Teresa Gonzalez's 53rd-minute goal had given them a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Venezuela fought back, however, and reduced their arrears to one thanks to Gabriela Garcia and Lourdes Moreno.

They could not quite find the equaliser, though, as Mexico held on.

Mexico will go up against the United States in the quarter-finals after the American side secured top spot in Group C in bizarre circumstances.

Needing only a draw to reach the last eight, the US were held 1-1 by Ghana as Mallory Pugh cancelled out an own goal from Casey Murphy, which had given the African team the lead.

France’s 2-0 win against New Zealand left the two teams locked on five points and Estelle Cascarino’s 48th-minute yellow card proved crucial in deciding who finished first and second.

The US and France were also level on points and goals scored, while the head-to-head record could not separate the two teams as the contest finished in a 0-0 draw.

Cascarino’s booking meant France were second on fair play rules and they are now due to take on Germany in the last eight on Friday (November 25).