Germany went a step closer to booking a place in the quarter finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Canada following a pulsating 5-5 draw with China in a Group B encounter in Edmonton.

Having defeated holders USA in their opening match, Germany began the match against China on a strong note and duly took a 10th minute lead through Pauline Bremer.

The Germans dominated play but China managed to level scores five minutes before the break when Zhu Beiyan slotted in the rebound of Tan Ruyin’s curling effort which had been pushed onto the crossbar by Germany’ s goalkeeper.

Sara Daebritz however ensured Germany went into the break ahead with a goal on the stroke of half-time after being found unmarked in the area by Bremer.

Tang Jiali however made it 2-2 three minutes into what would turn out to be a frenetic second half when she scored from an acute angle after a heavy first touch on Zhu Beiyan’s pass.

Theresa Panfil restored Germany’s lead two minutes later, scoring via the underside of the crossbar after being set up by the lively Bremer, only for Lei Jaihui to equalise for China a minute later.

The Chinese would then take the lead in the match for the first time just after the hour mark when Bremer was adjudged to have blocked a free-kick with her arm, with Zhu Beiyan converting the resulting spotkick.

Bremer made up for the conceded penalty when she helped Germany to get back on level terms in the 68th minute after her diving header was stopped by the arm of a Chinese player, with Daebritz converting the resulting penalty for her second goal of the night.

Scores dramatically became 5-4 for Germany through Panfil in the 71st minute, as she pounced on a loose ball after the Chinese goalkeeper failed to hold on to a cross in by Bremer.

China would yet again equalise however as substitute Zhang Chen took advantage of sloppy defending to make scores 5-5 in the 80th minute, with both sides holding on for the remaining minutes to seal a thrilling draw.

The result leaves Germany top of Group B with four points, a point ahead of USA that defeated Brazil by a late Lindsay Horan goal, while China is third with two points and Brazil is bottom with one point.