Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Linda Dallmann have fun with teammates after successful the penalty shootout in opposition to France within the UEFA Ladies’s Euro 2025 quarter-final at St Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland, on July 19, 2025. — Reuters
Germany are via to the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after beating France 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Saturday evening.
The match had every part — an early pink card, a comeback, and a nail-biting end — however it was goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger who stole the present, saving the ultimate spot-kick to ship her crew into the final 4.
Germany booked a spot within the Euro 2025 semi-finals, organising a conflict with world champions Spain. The bruising contest ended 1-1 after additional time on Saturday.
Germany fought again brilliantly from each a aim down and a straight pink card proven to defender Kathrin Hendrich simply 13 minutes in. They battled laborious and finally outlasted the French in an exciting shootout.
Hendrich was dismissed following a VAR overview that confirmed her pulling Griedge Mbock Bathy’s hair within the field. Grace Geyoro transformed the ensuing penalty, simply squeezing it previous Berger regardless of the keeper getting a robust hand to the ball.
Beneath strain and shorthanded, Germany discovered a fast response. Sjoeke Nüsken caught the French defence off guard by darting in to fulfill Klara Bühl’s near-post nook and heading dwelling within the twenty fifth minute.
Germany then defended bravely, with France having two targets disallowed for offside. Nüsken later noticed her second-half penalty saved.
Even earlier than the shootout, Berger made a contender for ‘save of the tournament’ by back-pedalling and diving acrobatically to claw away Janina Minge’s misjudged defensive header, preserving the scores degree.
With no targets in additional time, the match went to penalties. Berger gave Germany the right begin by saving Amel Majri’s effort. The French levelled the shootout when Sara Däbritz struck the bar and missed.
Berger — a most cancers survivor with a tattoo over her therapy scar that reads “All we have is now” — stepped as much as convert her personal penalty, then secured Germany’s win with an outstanding diving save to her left, denying 21-year-old Alice Sombath.
Germany will now face Spain within the semi-finals on Wednesday, the day after England play Italy within the different last-four conflict.
“We knew we’d done the hardest part by scoring first against 10 players. Penalties are always tough. It’s hard on Alice — she’s young and still learning. But you have to give credit to Germany,” stated France coach Laurent Bonadei.
