Germany defeats France in a shootout, defying odds.

 

Despite playing with 10 players from the 13th minute, Germany defeated France in a chaotic penalty shootout to advance to the Euro 2025 semifinals. Kathrin Hendrich was kicked out of the eight-time champions after pulling Griedge Mbock by the hair in the ring. Christian Wuck's team responded by putting on a determined performance, holding on for extra time before going to penalties and winning decisively. Ann-Katrin Berger, the goalkeeper, was the hero when she made the decisive save to deny Alice Sombath and secure a 6-5 shootout victory. Berger had made an outstanding series of saves throughout the evening. After a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention, Hendrich was given a straight red card for rashly pulling at Mbock's hair. France were also given a penalty, which Grace Geyoro calmly powered past Berger to give Les Bleus the lead. Germany, despite their double disadvantage, responded quickly, and Sjoeke Nusken scored an equalizer with a glancing header to restore her team's faith. Before the break, Delphine Cascarino's goal was disallowed for offside, and Wuck's team fought valiantly to remain level going into the break. When Geyoro's second goal was disallowed because Maelle Lakrar was deemed to be in an offside position during the buildup, his team maintained their resolve and were even the better team for some time. But Chelsea midfielder Nusken was left with her head in her hands when she missed the opportunity to put Germany ahead, sending her penalty straight at Pauline Peyraud-Magnin after Jule Brand had been brought down by Selma Bacha.

 Germany scored all but one of their seven penalty kicks to force a tense shootout after working hard to tie the game. Berger made excellent saves to deny both Amel Majri and Sombath. Their hard work will pay off on Wednesday when they play Spain in the semi-final at the Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich. France has been eliminated from the quarterfinals four times, more than any other nation. This is their fourth quarterfinal exit.