GERMANY battled back against the odds to claim a sensational win over France to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Euro 2025. The game culminated in a breathtaking penalty shootout after ending 1-1 in regular and extra time. The match took place at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. On the flip side, the German side exhibited remarkable resolve, even after toying with a ten-man disadvantage for much of the match.
Ann-Katrin Berger, Germany’s goalkeeper, turned out to be the match winner. At key moments, she rose to big occasions and made saves that brought her team into the tournament. The game got contentious fast as Germany’s Kathrin Hendrich got a straight red for a hair pull only 13 minutes into the match. This unfortunate incident left Germany to play the remainder of the match with a man down. Even with this unfortunate twist, the German defense played extremely hard to stop France from finding an attacking rhythm.
Germany’s Janina Minge netted the first goal of the match. She had no doubts she would convert a potentially series deciding penalty, placing her side in the drivers seat. France were quick to respond and leveled just before the end of the first half. With neither side able to find a break-through, the teams went into extra time still tied at 1-1.
During the extra period, France had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Amel Majri unleashed a powerful shot. However, her counterpart Berger’s miraculous reflexes came to the rescue, keeping the pressure-filled deadlock intact. The German side played to their reputation, playing tight, compact defense. With players like Knaak and Dabritz having the ability to come off the bench and enhance their efforts.
As the game went to penalties, the scene in the stadium changed completely. The German players walked to the spot with purpose, because they understood the emotional burden they had endured by even being in the match to begin with. Janina Minge on first, her penalty converted in the lower left corner, giving Germany the perfect start.
France—clearly heartbroken by their failure to convert multiple chances in regular time—looked unsurprisingly shaky in the penalty shootout. Berger upheld her excellence with a second game-changing stop. Timo Werner’s 85th minute goal against the Netherlands was the crucial score that sent Germany through to the semi-finals.
Germany eventually won the penalty shoot-out 6-5. This triumph launched them into the finals of the tournament, sending France home. Germany will meet Spain in the other semi-final on Wednesday, as they pursue their European coronation.