After a slow and steady start to the game, the first real chance fell to Germany's Nina Hasselmann who failed to connect with a diving effort at the far post. The first half progressed with both teams patiently passing the ball at a low tempo. Germany hit the post from their first penalty corner in the 26th minute, and then had a goal disallowed two minutes later after a video referral. Germany finished the half as the stronger team but the score remained 0-0.

The patient tempo of the match continued at the start of the second half, with Germany continuing to enjoy most of the possession. The first real chance of the half again came from a German penalty corner with Lydia Haase forcing a good save from the Chinese keeper. The breakthrough finally came in the 60th minute when Germany made it 1-0 through Hannah Kruger from a penalty corner. The lead lasted only a minute as China made it 1-1 with Peng Yang scoring powerfully.