Germany overcame the first-half dismissal of Katrin Hendrich, to beat France 6-5 on penalties after battling to a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Hendrich shown red for nonsensical hair pullBerger makes scarcely believable save in extra timeFrance have two goals disallowedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportTELL ME MORE
All hope looked lost for Germany just 10 minutes into the game, when a VAR check, seemingly out of nowhere, revealed Kathrin Hendrich had inexplicably pulled Greidge Mbock's ponytail in her own area. Hendrich was correctly sent off, and France were gifted a penalty. Grace Geyoro dutifully converted, clipping her effort down the middle which grazed the palms of a diving Ann-Katrin Berger in the German goal.
Soon after, Sarai Linder left the pitch due to injury, robbing a rattled German side of one its leaders. Just as they looked down and out, Chelsea's Sjoeke Nüsken stole a march on her defender, flicking a whipped near post corner into the French net for the equalizer.
Soon after, the game fell into a familiar pattern with France dominating the ball with minimal incision, and Germany defending resolutely and looking for opportunities to counter.
On the stroke of halftime, it appeared France had re-established their lead, a slick move ending with Delphine Cascarino flicking a cross home from close-range. The goal was chalked off by the assistant referee, and the decision upheld by VAR.
Again France were denied by VAR in the second half, this time off the back of a lengthy check. Geyoro blasted home a rebound after Berger had denied Maelle Lakrar. The officials judged the France centre-back had then impeded the keeper's vision from an offside position in the ensuing scramble.
The German side must have thought their luck was changing, as the brilliant Jule Brand burst into the French box on the counter, drawing a clumsy challenge from Selma Bacha. A clear penalty, goalscorer Nüsken stepped up to the spot. Her effort was well struck, but a comfortable height for Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to dive down to her right, and parry the ball away.
Even that could not deflate the German side's resolute spirit, as they continued to rebuff France's attacks, despite Christian Wück's decision not to make a single substitute in the second half. Even with France ringing the changes, it was the Germans who looked fresher as the ref called time with the scores level.
AdvertisementEXTRA TIME AND PENALTIES
Neither team provided much impetus in the first half of extra time, with Germany again happy to sit in a iron-clad low block. France did not show the same industry in trying to break it down, content to hold onto possession and play for set pieces. One such opportunity saw Berger produce a mind-boggling safe. Diving back towards her own goal, the totemic keeper somehow dived full length to stop Janina Minge's looping header from nestling in her own net.
Germany's passion and fitness were undeniable, with blurs of white and black flying into tackles deep into the second half of extra time. The French players cut dejected figures, as despite all their possession, they could not breach the Nationalelf's rearguard action. A rasping effort from distance by Melvine Malard briefly looked like it had a chance to beat Berger, but the dipping shot clipped the top of the bar.
It seemed this team had a date with destiny, as Minge, Rebecca Knaak, and Linda Dallmann all converted their penalties with minimal fuss. Berger continued her heroics, saving from Amel Majri, after the French attacker's curious curved run-up. With the scores at 3-2 to Germany after three penalties a piece, Sara Däbritz's effort struck the woodwork, leaving the door open for Sandy Baltimore to level. The Chelsea star smashed home. Each side went blow-for-blow in sudden death, with Berger stepping up to convert Germany's fifth penalty. After Nüsken put her earlier miss behind her, it was left to France's Alice Sombath to take the fall. Her penalty was stopped by a diving Berger, and a famous win for the Nationalelf was sealed.
THE MVP
Ann-Katrin Berger: The inspirational stopper made seven saves during normal time, already the most of any keeper in a single game at Euro 2025. Her acrobatic stop in the first half of extra time defied the laws of gravity, while her shootout heroics took an already legendary performance into another stratosphere.
AFPTHE BIG LOSER
Kathrin Hendrich: What was the centre half thinking? The red-card incident was baffling, especially when you factor in Heidrich's vast experience in high pressure games. Her indignant reaction to the referee's decision was just as puzzling.
