Basel: In one of the most dramatic matches in Women's European Championship history, Germany overcame a significant disadvantage to defeat France on penalties and reach the semifinals of Euro 2025. Playing with 10 players for nearly the entire match, Germany held firm through regulation and extra time to finish 1-1, before emerging victorious 6-5 in the shootout, thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
Berger saved two penalties and even scored one herself, capping off a night of defiance, grit, and resilience. Her heroics sparked scenes of pure emotion among the German squad, who had battled against all odds to stay in the tournament.
“Everyone was in each other's arms,” said Germany coach Christian Wück. “Everyone was celebrating; everyone was happy that this hard-fought performance led us to victory. I can only say it again and again: I'm so proud of the team for the way they took on this challenge against an opponent who demanded everything from us. That was incredible.”
Germany, eight-time European champions and in pursuit of a record-extending ninth title, will now face World Cup winners Spain in Zurich on Wednesday.
The match began with early controversy, as Germany's Kathrin Hendrich received a straight red card in just the 13th minute for pulling the hair of France captain Griedge Mbock. Following a video assistant referee review, a penalty was awarded and calmly converted by Grace Geyoro, despite loud jeers from German fans behind the goal.
But the setback only seemed to fuel the German side. Ten minutes after going down a player and a goal, they found an equaliser through Sjoeke Nüsken, who glanced in a header from Klara Bühl’s corner, showing the side's intent to make the most of set-piece opportunities.
Despite their numerical advantage, France struggled to impose their dominance and had two goals disallowed for offside on either side of the break. Germany were later awarded a penalty when Jules Brand was tripped by France's Selma Bacha near the byline, but Nüsken’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin — continuing a tournament trend of missed spot kicks.
In extra time, Germany came close to conceding again, but Janina Minge’s misdirected header toward her own goal was spectacularly saved by Berger, who scrambled back to claw the ball off the line with a stunning one-handed stop. France's Melvine Malard almost sealed the match in the dying moments of extra time with a long-range effort that crashed against the crossbar.
The shootout that followed was tense and filled with twists. Berger denied Amel Majri with France’s first penalty, only for Sara Däbritz to hit the crossbar for Germany. Berger then took Germany's fifth spot kick herself and converted confidently. She followed it up by saving the final French penalty from Alice Sombath, clinching a memorable victory and sending Germany through to the last four.
The result ended France’s 11-match winning streak and continued their struggles at the quarterfinal stage of major tournaments. Les Bleues have now been eliminated in the last eight in seven of their past nine World Cup or Euro appearances.
“I don't think we have a psychological problem. We have opponents of quality, and it gets harder and harder,” said France coach Laurent Bonadei, who took over in August. “But I think my players gave us hope; Rome wasn't built in a day.”
With PTI inputs