Germany through to Women's Euro semis after shootout win over France
The Germans pulled off a stunning comeback from a goal down and a straight red card for defender Kathrin Hendrich after 13 minutes, battling their way back into the game and eventually getting the better of their opponents in a thrilling shootout.
Hendrich was sent off after a VAR review established that she had pulled the hair of Griege Mbock Bathy in the box, and Grace Geyoro's subsequent penalty had the power to get over the line despite Berger getting a strong hand to it.
On the ropes and struggling, the Germans suddenly levelled, Sjoeke Nuesken catching the defence napping by darting towards Klara Buehl's near-post corner and flashing a header into the net in the 25th minute.
With the well-organised Germans defending doggedly, France had two goals ruled out for offside and Nuesken had a second-half penalty saved, and neither side managed to score in extra time.
The game went to penalties, and Berger got the shootout off to a great start for the Germans by saving from Amel Majri, but they were brought back to level pegging when Sara Daebrtiz struck her spot kick off the crossbar and over the goal.
Berger then fired home from the spot herself before diving to her left to deny Alice Sombath, sending the Germans through to the last four.
They will face Spain on Wednesday, a day after England face Italy in the other semi-final.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
26 minutes ago
- Mint
Prince William leaves sons George, Louis, takes soccer lover Princess Charlotte to UEFA Women's EURO 2025
Prince William surprised everyone at the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 final in Switzerland as it wasn't his sons Prince George and Prince Louis accompanying him instead Princess Charlotte. Marking the 10-year-old's first overseas soccer game, the father-daughter due were seen enjoying their Sunday. Sports enthusiast Princess Charlotte joined Prince of Wales to watch England's national team in the final showdown. As a president of the Football Association, the 43-year-old made it a point to attend the high-stakes match at St Jakob-Park in Basel and also attended to his fatherly duty by spending quality time together. Although Prince William's attendance was confirmed but Princess Charlotte surprised netizens with her show of support for England's women's soccer squad called 'Lionesses.' During this family's unofficial summer break, the passionate soccer fan took this opportunity to take his daughter for her first international soccer match and spend some valuable time with her. Netizens were quick to spot father-daughter love as one user stated, 'Love this so much. The Perfect ending to this day.' Another user replied, "My heart! Prince William and his little joy of heaven, Princess Charlotte." A third user stated, 'A day she will remember.' A fourth comment read, 'Priceless. As a daddy's girl myself, these memories stay for a lifetime.' A fifth user remarked, 'What a great Father/Daughter outing.' This was one of the biggest games for the Lionesses since 2022. On July 9, Prince Williams flew to Switzerland to watch the face-off between England and Netherlands and had been a dedicated patron. According to People report, King Charles used to ease his schedule between late July and August to spend some quality time with family, Prince William and Kate Middleton follow suit. Few days ago, Prince George and Princess Charlotte accompanied their parents to Wimbledon Championships men's singles final that was held in London on July 13.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Chloe Kelly stars again as England beat world champions Spain to defend Euro title
With Lauren James suffering an ankle injury, England were struggling, but Chloe Kelly came off the bench to replace her just before the break and it proved an inspired substitution. read more Chloe Kelly fired in the decisive spot-kick as England beat Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win Euro 2025 on Sunday, successfully defending the title they won three years ago after an enthralling game that ended 1-1 after extra time. It was another spectacular turnaround from Sarina Wiegman's side, who came back from two goals down to beat Sweden in a shootout in the last eight and beat Italy in the semi-finals with another extra-time goal from Kelly. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD World and Nations League champions Spain made the breakthrough in the 25th minute as Ona Batlle crossed and caught the England defence flat-footed, allowing Mariona Caldentey to head the ball past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. More from Football With Lauren James suffering an ankle injury, England were struggling, but Kelly came off the bench to replace her just before the break and it proved an inspired substitution. Kelly helped close down England's porous left flank and provided the cross for Alessia Russo to level in the 57th minute, the forward heading home her inch-perfect assist. Spain continued to monopolise the ball but could not find another goal before the end of normal time, and the story continued through extra time as they pressed and probed, but could not break the English defence as the game finished 1-1. The Spaniards got the shootout off to a great start when Cata Coll stopped Beth Mead's effort, but England keeper Hannah Hampton saved from Caldentey and from Aitana Bonmati to put England in the driving seat. Coll got Spain back into it with another one-handed stop to block Leah Williamson, but Spain substitute Salma Paralluelo hit her kick wide of the target. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That set the stage for Kelly to repeat her 2022 heroics, when she scored the extra-time winner over Germany that won them the title at Wembley. "The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice." 🏆🏆 Chloe Kelly 👏👏#WEURO2025 — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 27, 2025 PRANCING KELLY Kelly made her trademark prancing run-up before smashing the ball into the net and peeling away in ecstasy to celebrate with her teammates in front of the England fans. 'I'm so proud, so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge, and I'm so proud to be English … I was cool, I was composed and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net,' Kelly said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The final was the first time since the inaugural edition in 1984, in which England were beaten by Sweden, that the game was decided by a penalty shootout. 'Unbelievable, incredible, showing throughout this tournament we can come back when we go a goal down, and we have that grit,' an elated Hampton said. 'We've got English blood in us, so we never say die and we just keep going, and we did that today.' For Spain's Bonmati, the defeat was bitter. 'I don't have much emotion left to be honest. I have emptied myself of emotion. We are all exhausted,' she said. 'I have to say sorry, because it was my fault in the end, but I was not able to score it (the penalty). Congratulations to our opponents. In my opinion we were superior in the match, (but) on some occasions, that's not enough in football.'
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Thanks to everyone who wrote me off, I'm grateful: Chloe Kelly after scoring Euro 2025-winning penalty for England
It almost felt like football fate when Chloe Kelly stepped up to the penalty spot on Sunday against Spain, with the chance to make history for England in clinching its second consecutive women's European Championship title. The 27-year-old, who had been doubtful to make Sarina Wiegman's Euros team only six months ago, did her trademark run-up, lifting her left leg and skipping onto her right, before launching a powerful shot into the top corner. 'Incredible game of football. I just came onto the pitch and wanted to make something happen,' Kelly said. 'Of course, taking the penalty, I actually missed three in training yesterday, (but) it's the belief in this squad, I'm really proud to be English right now and proud to be part of an amazing group of girls.' Kelly was the hero in England's 2022 victory at Wembley, scoring in extra time before famously twirling her shirt above her head in celebration. She came to the Lionesses' rescue several times in Switzerland, scoring in the shootout in their quarterfinal victory over Sweden, and smashing home her own rebound of a missed penalty against Italy in the semis. 'I was cool, I was composed, and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice,' she said of her winning spot-kick. ALSO READ: Dejected Bonmati hopes to bounce back stronger after Women's Euro 2025 final loss to England Kelly's Switzerland story is remarkable, considering back in January, there were doubts she would make the Euros squad. She was barely playing for Manchester City and made a public plea to leave the club. She called them 'dark days'. Kelly's plea worked as she spent the rest of the season on a successful loan spell with Arsenal. 'I'm so grateful to be out of the back end,' Kelly said. 'Thanks to everyone who wrote me off. I'm grateful,' she added. Wiegman wrapped the crying Kelly in a long embrace. 'Everybody brings something different, and she brings this,' Wiegman said. 'She has been fighting to come back and to be at her highest level. She really wanted to take that penalty, of course, and celebrate that.' Kelly did not wait long to celebrate. Before starting a television interview, she grabbed the mic to sing along to 'Sweet Caroline' being belted out by the England crowd at St Jakob-Park. 'It is going to be crazy,' she said of the reception back home. 'I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows their love to these girls as they deserve it.' The Lionesses, who lost to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, have talked about legacy in Switzerland. 'It's a huge moment. Every girl out there with that dream – you can do it,' she said. 'Keep shooting for the stars.'
