Soccer-France's European run ended by familiar foe Germany
BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) -Heartbroken France were left lamenting another European exit at the hands of Germany on Saturday in a stunning 6-5 penalty shootout loss in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals, leaving Les Bleues still searching for their first major tournament title.
The loss came despite having a player advantage for most of the game, after Germany's Kathrin Hendrich was sent offfor a tug on the hair of Griege Mbock Bathy in the box in the 13th minute.
Grace Geyoro's ensuing penalty kick in the 13th minute was France's only goal in a bruising match that was tied 1-1 at the end of extra time.
"It's very cruel, it's very difficult," Geyoro said. "We don't realize it yet, and there's a lot of disappointment and frustration at going out like that tonight. We're wondering when it's going to be smiling for us at last. It's difficult, frankly it's hard, that's football. I'm disappointed."
The loss conjured memories of Euro 2022 when Germany dispatched France 2-1 in the semifinals before losing to England for the title.
Despite the man advantage, France seemed to wither as the minutes wore on against the eight-times European champions.
"We're sorry because when you're eleven against ten, you know that your set-pieces, numerical superiority do not exist anymore, so we had to avoid giving them those situations," coach Laurent Bonadei said.
"We didn't manage to find the back of the net except for two goals that were flagged offside. It's a shame, we didn't need much. Especially after what we'd done in the group phase, I thought we were getting stronger."
France indeed had their chances, with goals by Delphine Cascarino and Geyoro chalked off for offside in each half. Melvine Malard clanged a rocket off the crossbar in the dying seconds of extra time.
"I'm obviously disappointed," France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin said. "They were down to ten against 11, so even more disappointed. Finishing on penalties and going out like that is always the worst way to go.
"It was a complicated game, they were behind for almost 90 minutes and they were sending warheads up front.
"We're a bit down, we've just taken a blow to the back of the head."
France's Amel Majri and Alice Sombath had their penalties saved in the shootout, with Sombath's spelling the end of France's tournament, as the heartbroken players collapsed on the pitch.
"There's obviously a lot of disappointment," Geyoro said. "We really wanted to go all the way, but unfortunately we stop at the quarter-finals. Leaving the tournament just before the semi-finals is a real blow."
(Reporting by Lori Ewing, Editing by Franklin Paul)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Soccer-England teammates sing praises of young saviour Agyemang
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Semi Final - England v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland - July 22, 2025 England's Michelle Agyemang scores their first goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw GENEVA (Reuters) -England's newest hero Michelle Agyemang had her teammates singing her praises after her last-gasp equaliser saved the defending champions from certain elimination, saying the sky is the limit for the 19-year-old. Three months after she made her senior team debut, and four years removed from being a ball girl for her now teammates, Agyemang struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time against Italy on Tuesday en route to a 2-1 victory in extra time, the second consecutive game she has saved England at the brink. The Lionesses meet either Spain or Germany in the final on Sunday. "She's an unbelievable player and she's got the world at her feet, a young player with a bright future and I'm absolutely buzzing for her," said Chloe Kelly, who smashed home the rebound of her own penalty kick in extra time to secure the victory. Agyemang is a skilled bulldozer of a striker with a nose for the net and no fear of battling for possession. "You see it when she comes on," England defender Lucy Bronze said. "Defenders are petrified of her." "She feels inevitable right now," added captain Leah Williamson. A ball girl at Wembley for an England World Cup qualifier in 2021, Agyemang made her England senior debut three months ago against Belgium, scoring 41 seconds after she ran onto the pitch, the first of three goals in four caps. She said being mobbed by her teammates on Tuesday "will live in my heart forever". "It means the world to me. I'm so grateful," she added. "Four years ago I was a kid just throwing a ball to some of these girls and now I'm playing with them. It's a great opportunity and I'm so happy I am here." England coach Sarina Wiegman was certainly happy with her youngest Lioness on Tuesday. Agyemang, who also scored a late equaliser in their quarter-final win over Sweden, almost secured the victory in extra time at Stade de Geneve when her cute lob from a tight angle came back off the crossbar. "She has something special. She's only 19 years old, she's very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do," Wiegman said. "When we have to go to her as a target player, she keeps the ball really well. Even when you saw her hit the crossbar, that was not just a shot, she was aiming for it. If she continues like this she has a very bright future." Agyemang's impact in England's two knockout games now has fans wondering whether the teenager will see more of the pitch in the final. Sunday's match in Basel marks the third consecutive final appearance in a major tournament for England, while Wiegman is the first coach in men's or women's football to reach five consecutive finals. (Reporting by Lori EwingEditing by Christian Radnedge)
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Italy benefit from domestic developments despite England loss
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Semi Final - England v Italy - Stade de Geneve, Lancy, Switzerland - July 22, 2025 Italy's Cecilia Salvai and Arianna Caruso look dejected after the match REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo GENEVA (Reuters) -Italy were within touching distance of a first Women's Euro final since 1997 until a stunning England comeback derailed their dream, but the Italians can look forward to a bright future as they reap the benefits of a more professional approach. The country's top flight for women went fully professional for the 2022-23 season and the effects of that change could be seen on the field as they led reigning European champions England 1-0 until the 96th minute before losing 2-1 in extra time. The Italian players never wilted under the English onslaught and though they lack a bench as deep in talent as the one available to Sarina Wiegman, their replacements performed admirably despite the defeat. "Before the tournament people said we could not get past the group stage, but in the end we were one minute from the final. The players deserved a better ending but sometimes you don't get what you deserve. There is pride amid this bitter defeat -- this hurts but you have to be proud," Italy coach Andrea Soncin told reporters. The 46-year-old has worn his heart on his sleeve throughout the tournament and he paid tribute to how the women's game has developed over the last few years in Italy. "When I started with this group, the main goal was to constantly monitor the players so we could increase the internal competitiveness, and this has given us a lot of benefits," he explained. "We study what the clubs are doing and they are investing a lot, so we have a lot of confidence for the future." That work is already paying off at under-age level, providing a pipeline of promising players to the senior team as they seek to build on their success in Switzerland, which is building a fan base across the gender divide. "In Italy, clubs are developing very well. Our youth football is growing, which requires time. This year the U17s and the U19s got to the (Euro) semi-finals and this is a symptom of what is coming. The fruits will come in the long term," Soncin said. "For sure, many girls but also boys have become passionate about women's football. In future years, these boys will respect women who want to play football." (Reporting by Philip O'ConnorEditing by Christian Radnedge)
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
England's Kelly grateful for moments like Tuesday after rocky club season
GENEVA, (Switzerland): After Chloe Kelly smashed in her own rebound that lifted England into the Euro 2025 final, she struck a casual pose at the corner flag, one hand on the flag, another on her hip, and smiled up at the England fans. Kelly's 119th-minute winner was the punctuation mark on a nervy come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Italy that sends the reigning champions into their third consecutive final of a major tournament. They will play either world champions Spain or Germany on Sunday. Asked where she gets her confidence, Kelly said: "Myself." "The moments when in January I felt like giving up football makes you so grateful for these moments here today, and this makes you enjoy every minute of that," said Kelly, who did her trademark prancing penalty run-up. "I think confidence comes from within, but from around you as well. The players that we stand side by side with on the pitch, give confidence in each other." Back in January, there were doubts the 27-year-old would be in the Euros squad because she was barely playing for Manchester City. She made a public plea to leave City to secure more playing time and improve her odds. Kelly's plea worked as she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell with Arsenal, and then signed a permanent deal with the London club. Sunday's final will be the fifth in a major tournament for coach Sarina Wiegman, who said the night felt like a "movie" with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang striking the equaliser in the 96th minute to send the game into extra time. "It was a little bit dramatic. At the 88th minute, I thought 'We have to score now or we have a problem,'" Wiegman said, laughing. Wiegman heaped praise on Agyemang, who almost scored again with an effort deep into the second half of extra time, but clanged her shot off the crossbar. "She's only 19 years old and she's very mature, she knows exactly what she needs to do," Wiegman said. "When you came into our team late, right before the she's really mature already and brings something different, and that's what she showed today. "That ball she hit against the crossbar - it was spectacular." The one negative on the night was Lauren James limping off with an ankle injury to end the first half. Wiegman said James, who sat on the bench with a bag of ice on the ankle, will be reassessed on Wednesday. — REUTERS
