Regardless of having a participant despatched off within the thirteenth minute, Germany secured a victory for the ages, ultimately beating France 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to arrange a Euro 2025 semi-final showdown with Spain.
Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero with an unimaginable diving save within the sport earlier than she scored a penalty and saved two within the shoot-out.
France had gained all three of their group video games, together with wins towards England and Wales, whereas Germany had suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Sweden of their last group sport.
And it appeared like extra unhealthy luck to come back, particularly with their ongoing right-back disaster, when third-choice Sarai Linder was injured within the opening minutes. Fellow full-backs Giulia Gwinn (damage) and Carlotta Wamser (suspension) won’t be out there for the semi-final.
Earlier than Linder’s substitution, Germany gave away a bemusing penalty as Kathrin Hendrich pulled the hair of France captain Griedge Mbock Bathy. It was caught by VAR, with the defender despatched off and Les Bleues awarded a penalty.
Grace Geyoro stepped up and nearly beat Berger, who did get a fingertip onto the ball, however not sufficient to maintain out the highly effective effort.
However ten minutes later, Germany equalised. Klara Buhl despatched in a fantastic nook and run from Sjoeke Nusken to the close to publish noticed her look a header dwelling.
Simply earlier than the break, France had the ball within the web, however the flag was up. Geyoro slotted the ball via for Delphine Cascarino to complete, however there was an offside confirmed within the build-up – though solely by a toe.
And earlier than the hour, the offside rule got here again to chew France once more. Marie-Antionette Katoto’s preliminary header was well-saved by Berger, however Geyoro was readily available to web the rebound. Nonetheless, Maelle Lakrar was offside within the build-up and deemed to be interfering with the goalkeeper’s means to avoid wasting the ball, and the objective was due to this fact dominated out.
Grace Geyoro scored from the penalty spot for France towards Germany
By now, the sport was pretty even between the 2 sides, however Germany had the possibility to take the lead after they had been awarded their very own penalty.
It was a slipshod problem from Selma Bacha on Jule Model, as Nusken lined up the spot kick. However Pauline Peyraud-Magnin saved the Chelsea midfielder’s effort, a lot to the delight of her teammates.
Germany’s Sjoeke Nuesken celebrates her equaliser towards France
France largely appeared stumped for a Plan B for a lot of the rest of the sport, however had one second in further time that might have gained it. Germany captain Janina Minge inadvertently nodded the ball in direction of her personal objective, forcing a leaping, one-handed cease from Berger in one of many saves of the match.
The goalkeeper was Germany’s hero throughout the shootout, too. The Germans solely missed one as Sara Dabritz – introduced on late on instead only for penalties – hit the crossbar, with Berger saving twice from Amel Majri and Alice Sombath to ship her group via in essentially the most unlikely of circumstances.
Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a sensational save in further time
Germany, who’ve gained the Euros a document eight occasions, will now face world champions Spain of their semi-final on Wednesday.
What is the Euro 2025 semi-final line-up?
All kick-offs at 8pm BST
July 22
England vs Italy (Geneva)
July 23
Germany vs Spain (Zurich)
