Da Mbabi demands Germany keep going

Germany forward Célia Okoyino da Mbabi warned her team-mates not to rest on their laurels after producing a high-quality display in defeating Iceland.

Da Mbabi showed her renowned finishing skills in scoring twice in a 3-0 win which marked a major improvement on the reigning champions' opening draw against the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the prolific forward said that there should be no let-up from Silvia Neid's squad because "our next challenges are certainly not going to be any easier."

Iceland goalkeeper Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir was disappointed despite her own brilliant display but said the loss would not distract her nation from their goal of reaching the last eight when they face the Dutch on Wednesday.

Célia Okoyino da Mbabi, Germany forward
I think that we showed an improvement today compared to our previous game and we managed to play the way we wanted to. We were compact for 90 minutes, did not leave our opponents any chance to get their own game going and Iceland had few ideas about how to counter our compactness. Then we combined well and looked to shoot more than in other games, so I think we deserved to win 3-0.

It's always good when you score and know that things are going well. We knew that things were going well then and we were in the match and that was what we intended. We knew we would have to fight our way into the game and that we would not be given any gifts, and so of course we were all delighted when Lena [Lotzen] scored and things become a lot easier afterwards.

Our next challenges are certainly not going to be any easier. We've now got to carry on and not relax just because we've played one good game. Instead, we've got to remain compact, work hard and be aggressive, without losing our bottle. Then hopefully we will be able to play well against Norway too.

Lena Lotzen, Germany midfielder
I think we played a really good game. We got into the game well and were aggressive and we wanted the three points, and we've done that so we're delighted. It's always easier once you're in front and that was a relief for all of us. We then didn't sit back, but instead carried on playing and I think that was the right way.

We were aggressive right from the start and we were good in the tackles. We attacked them and never let up. We still lacked a bit of concentration to begin with and our shooting wasn't all that accurate and we didn't get any clear-cut chances, but then we made it 1-0 and we had plenty of chances and I think we were even more relieved after we made it 2-0.

It was also important as goals give you self-confidence. I think we played really well as a team; we combined well and we played some really good football and that definitely makes you more relaxed and makes things a lot easier. Things open up easier for you when you lead.

Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir, Iceland goalkeeper
It's hard to feel you had a good game if you let in three goals. We are disappointed; we knew that they are a really strong team. I really thought we would give them a better game, a better fight. When they scored the first goal, we went too much down instead of pushing up as a team. We were way too deep.

The second goal came quite early in the second half. Then it's like the spirit goes down a bit and we didn't have any fighting spirit left.

We now have to go for a win if we want to reach our goal, which is to get through.

Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir, Iceland midfielder
I'm really disappointed we conceded three goals. I think Germany played really well today. We weren't that compact, we could have been a bit more organised and we weren't too close to the players. Everything just went their way; they simply played better than us.

Germany put a lot of pressure on us. We didn't have so much time, we lost the ball and our passes weren't that good. That's why we didn't create anything.

Now we just have to forget this game, focus on our next match against the Netherlands and get three points there to get into the quarter-finals.