Germany reached the semi-finals of the European Women’s Football Championship on Saturday after a spectacle. The two-time world champion, who received an early red card for pulling an opponent’s hair, won against France on penalties.
Germany had to continue with ten players after just thirteen minutes due to a red card for a bizarre action by Kathrin Hendrich. The defender was sent off after VAR intervention because she pulled French captain Griedge Mbock’s hair.
France also received a penalty for this, which was converted by Grace Geyoro. Twelve of the seventeen previous penalties in this European Championship had been missed.
Despite being outnumbered, Germany equalized ten minutes later through Sjoeke Nüsken. The star player headed in from a corner. France scored again just before half-time after a beautiful heel flick from Delphine Cascarino, but that goal was disallowed for offside.
Early in the second half, another goal from ‘Les Bleues’ was disallowed. Geyoro shot hard from a rebound, but Marie-Antoinette Katoto was offside in the build-up to the goal.
Nüsken misses penalty for Germany
France then had a lot of chances, but German keeper Ann-Katrin Berger kept her team in the game. During one of Germany’s rare breakaways, the ball went to the spot. Nüsken had a golden opportunity to put her country ahead, but her penalty was saved by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
France continued to press, but no more goals were scored in regular time. In extra time, Berger was once again of great value to Germany. This time she prevented an own goal with a great save. Just before the end, Melvine Malard hit the crossbar with a long-range shot.
Ultimately, a penalty shootout had to decide the outcome. Germany won 6-5 in Basel, Switzerland. Berger saved two penalties from the French and scored one herself.
Germany will face Spain in the semi-finals. The world champion defeated host nation Switzerland 2-0 on Friday. The other semi-final is between Italy and Sarina Wiegman’s England.