“It was a party” – France celebrates reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Euro Cup
Euro 2022 is drawing to a close and there are only two games left to decide who will become the next European Women’s Champion. England booked their place at Wembley last night with a devastating 4-0 win over Sweden, but second place in the final is still up for grabs.
Germany take on France in Milton Keynes tonight with the winner advancing to Sunday’s highlight-reel game. The Germans are aiming for a ninth title in the tournament’s history and have won all their matches in this campaign so far. They have kept four clean sheets and remain one of the favorites to go the distance; ending a nine-year wait to add to his list of honors in this competition.
Their opponents, France, had never reached the semi-final stage of the Euros before, but showed their qualities by beating the Netherlands in the previous round. They have never been to the final of a major tournament in the history of the women’s team, with a fourth-place finish at the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics being their best achievements. Against the Netherlands, Corinne Diacre’s side missed good chances to score early on and, while they got through that game with victory, they cannot afford to be so cheeky against the eight-time champions this time around .
Follow all the action as Germany take on France in the Euro 2022 semi-finals:
Germany vs France
- Germany XI: Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Popp, Brand
- France XI: Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Mbock Bathy, Renard, Karchaoui; Bailbaut, Toletti, Geyoro; Diani, Mallard, Cascarino
- 40′ GOAL! Popp arrives late in the box to continue the scoring streak
- 44′ GOAL! Diani’s shot hits Frohms as France quickly equalise
- 76′ GOAL! Popp’s high header restores Germany’s lead
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Germany 2-1 France
82 mins: There’s another change for Germany as Marina Hegering is replaced by Sara Doorsoun.
Time is moving away from France. They played a very good game and caused real problems for Germany, but now it’s time to step up.
There were eight minutes to play and they need a goal.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:39 p.m
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Germany 2-1 France
79 min: The German fans start to celebrate, but their jubilation is cut short by a VAR check. The refs look for a potential offside in the build-up, but there is none.
Germany’s lead remains intact. Just over 10 minutes of the 90 to play.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:36 pm
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GOAL! Germany 2-1 France (76′, Popp)⚽️
76 mins: It’s Popp again! France’s free-kick is nothing and Germany quickly sweep the pitch before kicking the ball down the right.
The initial attack is again diverted to Svenja Huth on the wing and she recycles the ball with a curling cross into the centre.
Alexandra Popp towers over everyone else and clinically nods it home!
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:32 pm
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Germany 1-1 France
75 mins: Selma Bacha is top quality, how he doesn’t start in France is a mystery. A diagonal ball comes to Bacha, who takes the ball and moves it inside Giulia Gwinn.
Gwinn does his best to win the ball, but Bacha is too skilled and too strong. He has won a free kick for France.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:32 pm
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Germany 1-1 France
72 mins: Into the last 20 minutes and it’s Germany’s turn to make a couple of changes. Linda Dallmann and Sydney Lohmann replace Sara Dabritz and Lina Magull in midfield.
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 9:28 p.m
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Germany 1-1 France
69 min: Germany are stuck in possession in their own half and Bacha comes out with the ball. He slides it into the box to Diani, who heads it past Hegering before drilling a low effort at the near post.
Frohms has it covered and turns it wide for a corner which then comes to nothing.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:25 pm
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Germany 1-1 France
66 min: Great save! France’s resulting corner is flicked into the box by Bacha, who has expertly picked out Wendie Renard at the back post. Renard nods the ball to cover but Frohms gets down and keeps it out with his legs.
Germany must absorb this pressure.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:22 pm
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Germany 1-1 France
Svenja Huth hangs on to the ball too long and loses it just outside the French box. The Bleus face the counterattack and slide Diani to the right side of the area.
She plays the ball back to Bacha, who takes a touch and then fires a shot at goal only for Hendrich to head it off the line.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:20 pm
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Germany 1-1 France
60 min: Delphine Cascarino is suspended for France and is replaced by Clara Mateo. It’s a great call from Corinne Diacre, as Cascarino has been one of France’s best players this tournament.
Can Mateo provide the difference France need to take the lead?
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:18 p.m
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Germany 1-1 France
57 min: Lena Oberdorf has bought Selma Bacha a yellow card. There was a stray arm from the French substitute but it barely connected and Oberdorf’s reaction – he dramatically went down – convinced the referee to issue a yellow card and award Germany a free-kick.
Michael Jones July 27, 2022 9:14 pm